Looking for something to do in Ireland this weekend without spending a fortune? From Saturday 15 to Sunday 16 August, there is plenty happening around the country, including the start of National Heritage Week, free cultural events, live music, theatre and one of Dublin’s biggest food festivals.
For Brazilians living in Ireland, it is also a good chance to mix Irish culture with some of the things that make weekends here enjoyable: food, music, outdoor activities and meeting people.
Here are some of the options worth considering this weekend.
National Heritage Week starts across Ireland
One of the biggest things happening this weekend is National Heritage Week, which runs from 15 to 23 August.
The annual celebration brings together hundreds of communities, museums, historical sites and local organisations, with events covering everything from Irish history and archaeology to traditional crafts, nature and local stories.
The 2026 theme is “Heritage at Risk”, focusing on traditions, buildings, landscapes and natural environments that could be lost or damaged.
Many of the events are completely free, although some require advance booking.
This is particularly interesting for people who have moved to Ireland from Brazil because it is an easy way to learn more about the country beyond the usual tourist attractions. You can find events in practically every county, including guided walks, talks, exhibitions and demonstrations.
See the full National Heritage Week programme
Free: Explore the Dead Zoo Lab in Dublin
Families looking for something free can head to the National Museum of Ireland at Collins Barracks on Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
The Dead Zoo Lab will have drop-in sessions from 2pm to 4pm, allowing visitors to examine real and replica natural history objects, including shells, fossils and other specimens.
The weekend theme is “Let’s Explore… The Beach”, with activities involving Irish wildlife and marine life.
The event is aimed particularly at families with children aged seven and over, although anyone interested in Ireland’s natural history can visit.
Learn more about the Dead Zoo Lab
Free: Discover Seamus Heaney’s Ireland
If you prefer something quieter, Saturday is the final opportunity to join the free “Heaney & Women” tour at the Seamus Heaney: Listen Now Again exhibition in Dublin.
The tour takes place from 11:30am to 12:30pm and explores the women who influenced the life and poetry of one of Ireland’s best-known writers.
The exhibition is located at the Bank of Ireland Cultural & Heritage Centre on Westmoreland Street, making it easy to combine with a walk around Temple Bar and central Dublin.
The tour is free, although booking is available.
Learn more about Heaney & Women
Big Grill Festival: Brazilian-style barbecue fans should take a look
If there is one event this weekend that is likely to appeal immediately to Brazilian readers, it is the Big Grill Festival.
The festival runs at Herbert Park in Ballsbridge from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August, meaning the main weekend days are Saturday and Sunday.
It brings together more than 45 restaurants and food vendors, international pitmasters, live-fire cooking demonstrations, masterclasses, breweries and more than 50 special dishes.
There is an obvious Brazilian connection here. Anyone used to churrasco, barbecue gatherings and spending an afternoon eating with friends will probably recognise the appeal, even if the cooking styles are very different.
It is not a cheap day out, however. Tickets start at around €30, and food and drinks are additional costs. Children under 12 can enter free when accompanied by a ticketed adult.
The festival also has a children’s programme, making it an option for families.
Learn more about Big Grill Festival
Live jazz with Wynton Marsalis
For something completely different, the National Concert Hall is hosting Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis on Saturday night.
The concert starts at 8pm and tickets begin at €40, with more expensive options available.
Marsalis is one of the world’s best-known jazz musicians, and the Dublin performance is particularly notable because the original August concerts sold out quickly before an additional Saturday performance was announced.
For Brazilians who enjoy live music, this is also an opportunity to experience one of the more prestigious international acts visiting Ireland this summer.
Learn more about Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra
Annie comes to the end of its Dublin run
If you are looking for a family-friendly theatre experience, the West End production of Annie is finishing its Dublin run this weekend.
The show is at the Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, with performances on Saturday 15 August and Sunday 16 August.
Tickets start at €29.80, making this one of the more affordable options for a major theatre production, particularly compared with some concerts.
The production stars Claire Sweeney as Miss Hannigan and features the familiar songs from the Tony Award-winning musical.
Get outside and explore Ireland for free
You do not necessarily need a ticket to have a good weekend.
August is one of the best times of year to explore Ireland’s coastline, parks and towns, and National Heritage Week provides plenty of opportunities to combine a walk with something cultural.
For Brazilians who are still getting to know Ireland, this can be a particularly good weekend to get outside Dublin and explore somewhere new.
A short train or bus journey can take you to coastal walks, historic towns, beaches and villages, while many National Heritage Week events are free.
If the weather is good, pack some food, bring a jacket and make a day of it rather than spending the weekend inside a shopping centre.
A good weekend does not have to be expensive
For anyone watching their spending, there are several ways to build a full weekend around free activities.
Saturday morning could start with the free Heaney & Women tour in Dublin, followed by a walk around the city. In the afternoon, the Dead Zoo Lab offers another free option for families.
Alternatively, choose one of the hundreds of National Heritage Week events taking place around Ireland.
If you want to spend some money, the Big Grill offers a very different experience, while Annie and the Wynton Marsalis concert are options for an evening out.
The important thing is that Ireland does not have to be expensive to be interesting. Especially during National Heritage Week, there are plenty of opportunities to see places, learn about Irish culture and meet people without paying an entrance fee.
Weekend events at a glance
| Event | Location | When | Price | Learn more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| National Heritage Week | Nationwide | 15-23 August | Mostly free | Learn more |
| Dead Zoo Lab | Collins Barracks, Dublin | Sat 15 & Sun 16 Aug, 2pm-4pm | Free | Learn more |
| Heaney & Women | Westmoreland Street, Dublin | Sat 15 Aug, 11:30am-12:30pm | Free | Learn more |
| Big Grill Festival | Herbert Park, Dublin | Sat 15 & Sun 16 Aug | From approx. €30 | Learn more |
| Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra with Wynton Marsalis | National Concert Hall, Dublin | Sat 15 Aug, 8pm | From €40 | Learn more |
| Annie | Bord Gáis Energy Theatre, Dublin | Sat 15 & Sun 16 Aug | From €29.80 | Learn more |
With National Heritage Week starting across the country, this is a particularly good weekend to discover something new in Ireland without spending much money. For Brazilians, it is also a chance to get beyond the usual Dublin attractions, learn more about the country where you now live and perhaps find a new favourite place for a weekend trip.
Just remember that event times, ticket availability and prices can change, so check the organiser’s website before travelling.
