Huge lineup announced for Kaleidoscope Family Music Festival including The Kooks and The Waterboys

Kaleidoscope, Ireland’s favourite family festival returns to Russborough House, Blessington, Co. Wicklow from 28th to 30th June 2024 with its biggest programme of events of all ages.  Global music stars The Kooks and The Waterboys headline alongside homegrown talent LYRA, Dec Pierce’s Block Rockin Beats and King Kong Company, and will be joined by 100s of family shows, activities and surprises over the 3 memory-making days and nights for kids and all the older festival-goers in their lives to enjoy together.

With 20,000 attendees expected at this June’s Kaleidoscope, the full weekend music line-up also features Irish indie rock band The Academic, soul singer and songwriter Tolü Makay, breakthrough star  Ryan Mack alongside Somebody’s Child, Isaac Butler, Bobbi Arlo, Fia Moon, The Kilo 1977, Dave Lofts & Sand, Saibh Skelly, Queen Bees, Tadhg, The Killéirs, DJ Will Softly, Corner Boy, Anamoe Drive and Kaleidoscope favourites, the Dublin Gospel Choir and Jerry Fish. TikTok sensations The KK Sisters, who have gained 15 million likes in just 9 months,  will also make a much-anticipated special appearance at the family camping festival.

Celbridge native Mark Lantry aka Mark the Science Guy, Ballynafagh’s celebrated children’s author Emma-Jane Leeson and Naas laughter yoga sensation Louise Burchall are announced as part of Kaleidoscope’s much-anticipated family festival line-up. Mark the Science Guy is a theoretical physicist, former professional footballer, TV presenter on RTÉ’s Let’s Find Out, and head of science and sport at Explorium, Ireland’s National Science Centre. Budding young scientists can immerse themselves in the exciting world of science at Kaleidoscope with festival favourite Mark The Science Guy who is on a mission to teach children the wonders of science through fun experiments. As creator and founder of the Johnny Magory books, Emma-Jane Leeson is one of Ireland’s leading children’s book authors. Passionate about Irish wildlife and exploring the outdoors, Emma-Jane has held residencies with the Irish Libraries and works with children across Ireland and beyond promoting imagination, storytelling and literature. She is also a yoga instructor and runs classes and events and forest school for adults and children from her Kildare Woodland Retreat. ‘Johnny Magory World’ has been a part of Kaleidoscope since the inaugural festival, with this year’s Explorer World area featuring storytelling, yoga workshops, music performances along with the ever popular ‘Plant a Tree with Johnny Magory’ and ‘Sensory Chill Zone Tent’ areas. Kaleidoscope attendees can also add  a new rhythm to their festival experience at Kaleidoscope with Louise Burchall, Ireland’s leading laughter yoga expert from Naas. Shake off the stress, find your groove, and connect with fellow festival-goers amidst the music as Louise brings her unique blend of joy and laughter.

Headlining alongside its mega music line-up are Kaleidoscope’s family activities and shows for fans young and older to enjoy. Blessington’s Russborough House will be transformed into the ultimate summer family staycation, with three laughter-filled days of over 100 interactive performances, entertaining live shows and activities for all ages. Expect hands-on science experiments, jaw-dropping feats of circus, mesmerising magic shows, feel good family sports and wellness, children’s storytelling and creative writing, arts and crafts, energetic dance and theatre workshops, baby raves and toddler playtime, funfair rides, sensory areas and activities, a festival of food and so much more unmissable fun for all ages. Highlights of this year’s family line-up include:

• Learn all the best tricks of the trade in the kitchen at Scrumdiddlyumptious - The Festival of Food. Join in with renowned chefs and food lovers from across Ireland including the acclaimed husband and wife duo of Derry and Sallyanne Clarke, TV chef Erica Drum, bestselling author Oliver McCabe, one of Ireland’s best bakers Caryna Camerino, curry maestro Sunil Ghai, chef Lou Robbie, and the cupcake bloke Graham Herterich.

• Founded 15 years ago by Roddy Doyle and Seán Love, kids of all ages can visit the Fighting Words tent to write stories, create characters, design comic strips, craft and perform poetry, tell jokes and have imaginative fun at Kaleidoscope.

• Kids can channel their inner Indiana Jones with The Big Dig from The School of Irish Archaeology. Their replica Viking House and excavation site at Russborough House will give children and young adults the chance to experience what it is like to be an archaeologist by learning how to excavate the remains of a Viking house. As they dig through the site, they will unearth Viking treasures and artefacts dating back 1,000 years. 

• Lace up your trainers and kick Saturday and Sunday morning off with a family 5k fun run.  The sports and wellness schedule also features family friendly yoga sessions, high-energy Zumba and relaxing Tai Chi. 

• Dive into the world of reptiles with Ireland’s only dedicated reptile zoo, the National Reptile Zoo which is based in Kilkenny. Discover the superpowers of reptiles in this truly unforgettable workshop where kids will get the chance to learn about and meet snakes, lizards and turtles. 

• The National Gallery of Ireland’s Apollo Project will be at Kaleidoscope. The Apollo Project is co-created by young people for young people, and will run mask making and festival flags workshops with artists Lynn Haughton and Edel Campbell. Other festival arts and crafts workshops include tie-dye workshops 

• Toddlers and wobblers can create some of their earliest memories with baby raves, laughter yoga, interactive family music sessions and intercultural workshops of traditional songs and stories from all over Africa.

Speaking with great excitement of this summer’s Kaleidoscope, Festival Director Brian McDermott said: “With over 20,000 attendees expected at our 4th festival this June, we are proud to announce that this year’s line-up is our biggest yet at Kaleidoscope. Families and friends of all ages can look forward to 100s of amazing music acts and unrivalled family entertainment across 3 music stages and over 10 family areas. Created for families, we have designed the festival to make it as family-friendly as possible including spacious campsites, car parking located beside campsites, campsite quiet time curfew, baby-changing and care areas, family cooking area and sensory and quiet zones’.

Tickets and full festival line-up now available at Ticketmaster and kaleidoscopefestival.ie