Touted as Ireland’s most child-oriented and all-embracing summer festival, Kaleidoscope is set to take place from June 28th to June 30th in the surrounding areas of Russborough House, Blessington, Co Wicklow. As the school term concludes and summer vacations begin, the event coordinators are planning to host several thousand families over the three-day period.
How can I get there?
For navigation purposes, you can use either the Eircode W91 W284 or the GPS coordinates 53.1417N, 6.5695W to locate Russborough House and Park in Blessington, Co Wicklow. It’s a mere 30-minute journey from Dublin, accessible just off the N81. Festivalgoers using public transport, personal cars, campervans, or caravans are advised to obey the directions provided by traffic signs, stewards, and gardaí. Note, right or left turns are not permitted off the N81 at the L3863 towards Russborough House.
For those coming from Dublin via the Dublin/M50/N81 route: You should go past Blessington town on the N81, take a right at the Burgage roundabout, then a left onto the Kilmalum road. After following the L6052 to the L3863, make a left and follow directions to the parking areas via Gate 1.
Travellers from Naas using the Naas/M7/M9/M7/M9 route: Depart the M7 at the south Naas exit (junction 10), then take the Naas ring road to the R411 roundabout, join the R411 towards Ballymore Eustace. After that, follow the L6056 and gain entry to the festival site through Gate 1.
Visitors from Baltinglass via the Carlow/N81 northbound route: Northbound traffic on the N81 going to the festival will be directed to Ballymore Eustace. From there, follow the L6056 to the festival entrance at Gate 1.
What’s happening?
A myriad of family-friendly activities, shows, and exciting surprises will be on offer. The Kooks, Lyra, The Waterboys, Dec Pierce’s Block Rockin’ Beats, King Kong Company, and internet hit-makers The Kabin Crew have all been named as performers. The programme will also showcase other acts such as The Academic, Tolü Makay, Ryan Mack, Somebody’s Child, and Jerry Fish.
Prepare to be enthralled by science experiments you can perform, incredible circus acts and magic shows, all taking place at the Kaleidoscope Festival. Wellness activities and sports promise to be great fun for the family. Add some children’s storytelling and creative writing workshops, arts and crafts exercises, energetic dance and theatre classes, toddler play spaces and even baby raves to the mix. In addition to all these, sensory activity zones, funfair amusements, food fests, 5km runs and so much more, promise to keep everyone thoroughly entertained.
Enthusiastic young science buffs can plunge head-first into the fascinating realm of science alongside the festival’s favourite presenter Mark the Science Guy, from RTé’s Let’s Find Out. Festival goers can also partake in interactive robotics workshops, spontaneous performances by bubble scientists and even construct their own Lego designs.
Children playing at being Indiana Jones can join The Big Dig from The Irish School of Archaeology. They can explore a replica Viking house and an excavation site to get a feel of the archaeologist’s world, learning how to excavate ancient artefacts.
The Fighting Words tent invites children to weave stories, originate characters, design comic strips, craft and perform poetry and tickle funny bones with jokes. For animal enthusiasts, the National Reptile Zoo provides a thrilling foray into the world of reptiles where kids can learn about and interact with snakes, lizards and turtles.
At the moment, tickets can be acquired through kaleidoscopefestival.ie or Ticketmaster. A family-of-four weekend pass is priced at €250 in addition to a booking fee, individual child day passes start at €40 and adult day passes at €55 plus booking fee.
The festival welcomes guests of all ages, insisting on an ID for every ticket holder. Security ensures a family-friendly atmosphere with the top priority being preventing parents and children from losing each other. Children are given a paper wristband where parents’ contact number can be written. Parents are advised to select a notable meeting spot on the grounds.
Festival timings dictate that gates open from 5pm-10pm for caravans and campervans on Thursday, June 27th, and the campsite opens from 9am every subsequent day. Car parks open at 9am from Friday to Sunday.
The car parks are situated close to the campsites that get filled quickly. Therefore, the walk from your car to your tent may change. Vehicles are not allowed on the camping fields but trolleys or buggies can be used to transport belongings.
The central amphitheatre will kick off festivities at 14:00 on Friday and start bright and early at 08:00 on both Saturday and Sunday. Each day will be brimming with music until approximately 22:30, barring Saturday, which will extend until close to midnight to accommodate a riveting late-evening show performed by the King Kong Company.
For those preferring a more rustic experience, camping and culinary facilities are readily available. Disposal of barbecues and fervent coal/ash should be done in the metal bins positioned within the camper’s culinary zone. Avoid using plastic bins for this purpose and remember to keep barbecuing restricted to the allocated areas only. Neither gas barbecues nor barbecuing within the primary camping zones is permissible. Caravans and campervan owners are welcome to set up their awnings, but thoughtfulness of others’ space is appreciated.
The campsite boasts accessible communal charging points but doesn’t have electric hookups. All camping paraphernalia, tools and vehicles need to be evacuated from the site by midday on the 1st July, with the emphasis on leaving no trace to preserve the environment.
The Babazone campsite comes equipped with amenities for warming and sanitising baby bottles.
Guests are welcome to bring their personal food, non-alcoholic beverages, and water – although no glass containers. Reusable and refillable water containers are highly encouraged, courtesy of the numerous free water stations on site.
While festival attendees are allowed to possess alcohol within their tents, they are discouraged from carrying it beyond the tent confines. Those holding day-passes are barred from bringing their own alcohol. Alcohol procured at Kaleidoscope can, however, be enjoyed anywhere within the premises. Be aware, there will be inspections conducted between campsites and the main amphitheatre and any illicit alcohol discovered will be seized and safely disposed of.
For an effortless payment experience, festival organisers have collaborated with AIB to introduce festival-goers to AIB Tappy. This novel method of payment, integrated into every wristband, allows for smooth transactions across the festival – from food and beverage purchases, souvenir shopping, to funfair rides, and other activities. Your wristband can be topped up via multiple means – smartphone, the official festival site, the QR code on the band, and at any AIB Tappy kiosk using cash or card.
Inclusivity is a strong focus at the festival.
The festival has partnered with All Abilities Ireland to enhance its accessibility features. Space is ample in the accessible camping areas, catering for any individual, regardless of their abilities or requirements. The camping area also boasts wheelchair-friendly toilets and there is an accessible shower unit situated next to the campsite. There is also an accessible car park in proximity to the campsite. Both the main and Zozimus stages have been equipped with accessible viewing platforms.
The All Abilities Sensory Tent will be operational from 10am-5pm on both Saturday and Sunday. This tranquil and enjoyable hideaway offers a respite from the festival’s excitement. An array of sensory activities, ranging from audiovisual to tactile and messy play will be on offer throughout the day to appeal to all senses. Within the scenic setting of Russborough House’s eastern courtyard, en route to the arena, the All Abilities Sensory Tent is perfectly located.