Taste of Kildare 2026 Welcomes Record 10,000 Visitors to Naas Racecourse

Taste of Kildare 2026 drew a record 10,000 visitors to Naas Racecourse, making it the biggest festival the event has ever hosted. The two‑day celebration ran on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August, turning the racecourse into a bustling festival village that showcased the best of County Kildare’s food, hospitality and local producers.

The weekend offered a wide range of culinary experiences, with dishes from local restaurants and hotels, artisan producers, and top Irish chefs. Live music and family entertainment were also key features, providing a lively atmosphere for both residents and visitors. The event’s success reflected the growing reputation of Kildare as a vibrant food and tourism destination in Ireland.

Thousands of visitors travelled to Naas for the weekend, turning the venue into a hub of restaurants, hotels, artisan stalls, food and drink businesses, live entertainment and family attractions. The record attendance highlighted the continued growth of the festival and the strong support from the local community and tourism sector.

Taste of Kildare’s core aim is to bring the county’s food and hospitality community together, giving visitors the chance to experience the incredible variety Kildare has to offer in one place. The 2026 edition marked an exciting new chapter for one of County Kildare’s flagship annual events, with the festival’s scale and popularity underscoring the region’s appeal to food lovers and families alike.

The festival’s success was noted by local media, with coverage from the Irish Independent, Kildare Live, Kildare Nationalist, Kildare Now and other outlets, all highlighting the record‑breaking turnout and the event’s status as the biggest festival to date.

For more details, see the original report from Into Kildare.

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