Singing Cork

The city of Cork will be hitting a high note this May bank holiday weekend. With just a couple weeks to go, the Cork International Choral Festival, now in its 68th year, will make a welcome return to the streets and stages of the city and county for five days of singing from April 26th - 30th, 2023. 

This year’s festival is expected to welcome the largest international attendance since pre-pandemic times, with upwards of 5,000 performers from Belgium, Burundi, Canada, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia and the UK.

Choirs will participate in gala performances, national and international trophy competitions, fringe concerts, workshops and free public performances in more than 90 venues throughout Cork city and county. 

The event also spills onto the streets, cafes, restaurants and bars of the city, which gives a fantastic atmosphere for the long weekend. This year the Cobh Fringe will also return, with a new performance on Spike Island.

The “Big Sing” returns on Saturday April 29th to Cork City Hall, when singers of all ages and levels of experience are invited along to be part of the largest choir of the festival.