Choral Fest to bring more than 5,000 performers from 13 countries to Cork
Scrubs Choir with Conductor Patrick D'Alton, Peter Stobart, Artistic Director and Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Fergal Dennehy pictured at the launch of the Cork International Choral Festival 2026 Programme. Picture: Alison Miles / OSM PHOTO
The return of the Cork International Choral Festival is set to turn Cork into a city of song this May Bank Holiday weekend.
A five-day programme of concerts, competitions and community events, totalling 189 performances, will take place across Cork from April 29 to May 3.
Now in its 71st year, the festival, which is one of Europe’s longest-running and most respected choral festivals, will welcome more than 5,000 performers from 13 countries to more than 60 venues across both the city and county.
This year’s line-up includes 70 competing choirs from across Ireland, 45 non-competitive groups and 12 international ensembles, alongside seven gala concerts, 12 competitions and nine workshops, all supported by more than 250 volunteers.
From early morning rehearsals to late-night performances, music will resonate through streets, public spaces and some of Cork’s most iconic venues, including Cork City Hall, the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, St Fin Barre’s Cathedral and St Anne’s Shandon.
Artistic director of the festival, Peter Stobart, acknowledged how something “very special” happens when a city “gives itself over to song”.
“For five days, Cork becomes a place where voices meet, where audiences encounter music in unexpected spaces, and where people connect through something as simple and powerful as singing together,” Stobart said ahead of the festival.
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The 2026 programme is anchored by a strong series of gala performances, including the Opening Gala at Cork City Hall, which will feature more than 250 young singers from Cork and Dublin performing Benjamin Britten’s St Nicolas, alongside a newly commissioned work by Stobart.
On Thursday, April 30, acclaimed UK ensemble Black Voices will take to the stage at City Hall, bringing their signature a cappella sound rooted in gospel, spiritual and contemporary traditions, to Cork.
Friday’s programme will shift to the Cathedral of St Mary & St Anne, where Chamber Choir Ireland, conducted by Gabriel Crouch, will premiere the winning work from the Seán Ó Riada Composition Competition. New Dublin Voices will also perform.
Saturday will see the return of the Fleischmann International Trophy competition, with gala concerts held across two sessions at Cork City Hall.
Widely regarded as one of the most sought-after prizes in choral music, the competition draws elite amateur choirs from across Europe and beyond.
The festival will conclude with a closing gala concert.
“The gala concerts are central to the festival experience,” Stobart said.
“They bring together outstanding choirs from Ireland and around the world and give audiences the chance to experience choral music at the highest level in some of Cork’s most remarkable venues.”
Beyond the main stage, the festival extends into the wider city through its popular choral trails in Cork and Cobh, as well as performances at locations such as the Marina Market and Elizabeth Fort.
Participatory events, including The Big Sing and the World Cup of Football Chants, invite audiences to join in, while Afternoons in the Atrium and a diverse fringe programme bring music into public spaces.
Fáilte Ireland's Head of Festivals, Ciara Sugrue, acknowledged how festivals such as the Cork International Choral Festival encourage visitors from Ireland and overseas to discover what’s on offer.
“Our investment in Cork International Choral Festival strengthens Cork’s appeal as a must-visit destination within Ireland's Ancient East region, while generating meaningful economic opportunities for local businesses and contributing to the sustainable growth of tourism in the Ireland's Ancient East region,” she said.
- Full programme details and ticket information are available at www.corkchoral.ie.
