Direct parent feedback shapes music lineup and site amenities as Ireland’s leading family festival unveils its first summer in Glendalough Estate
Kaleidoscope festival has unveiled the first chapter of its exciting new era at Wicklow’s Glendalough Estate, revealing dancefloor icons Hot Chip, indie rock legends Ash pop hitmaker Olly Murs as the first headliners for its July 2027 edition. The three powerhouse acts are set to bring every generation together at the main stage for the three-day family camping festival, running from Friday July 2nd to Sunday July 4th, 2027, with further music and all-ages programming still to be revealed over the coming months.
The headliners arrive on the bill directly in response to audience demand, continuing the festival’s community-first focus. From the lineup to the family facilities, fan feedback helps steer decisions across the summer festival. Following last summer, where parent surveys directly influenced major upgrades like all-flushable loos and quiet campsites, Kaleidoscope is putting the audience firmly back in the programmer's seat to launch its debut Glendalough season.
Olly Murs was named among the top five most-requested artists in the festival’s recent family survey. Armed with an undeniable catalogue of singalong hits including Please Don’t Let Me Go, Heart Skips a Beat, and Dance with Me Tonight, the chart-topping singer brings his high-energy live show to the main stage, guaranteed to get festival-goers of all ages dancing together under the summer sky.
Joining him are the legendary Hot Chip, fulfilling a six-year wish for the Kaleidoscope community. The band have topped attendees' lineup wish lists since the festival first launched, bringing timeless anthems like Over and Over and Ready for the Floor to the Wicklow woodlands.
Completing the trio are homegrown heroes Ash, another long-standing favourite on the festival’s wish list. Three decades on from their number one debut album 1977, the Downpatrick band’s guitar anthems Girl From Mars, Shining Light and Burn Baby Burn have soundtracked a generation of Irish summers, and now that generation gets to share them with their own kids in the heart of the Wicklow Mountains.
Commenting on today’s lineup announcement, Shell Holden, Director of Marketing at Kaleidoscope, says: “Our festival families asked, and we delivered. Hot Chip and Ash have topped our audience wish lists over the past six years, and Olly Murs was one of the most-requested artists in our recent parent survey. Together, they bring the perfect mix of singalong anthems and high-energy live shows guaranteed to get all ages dancing together. With many more acts to be revealed over the coming months, this is only the beginning of what we have in store for next summer.”
This community conversation runs year-round. Official Kaleidoscope community groups on Facebook and WhatsApp are run by the festival team alongside local parent moderators, hosting interactive polls, FAQ updates, and monthly live Q&As.
In addition to the main-stage headliners, Kaleidoscope has announced that it will launch a new Family and Creative Open Call, inviting performers, programmers, artists, community groups, and emerging talent to apply to bring all-ages shows, activities, and spectacles to the Wicklow festival. Applications will be open over the coming weeks at kaleidoscopefestival.ie.
The family festival is also proud to announce The Gavin Glynn Foundation as an official charity partner for 2027. The Wicklow-based charity supports families of children with cancer who have to travel abroad for treatment, taking care of the travel, accommodation and living expenses so they can focus on what matters most, being together and supporting their child.The official partnership will include a charity family run across the Glendalough festival during the festival weekend.
Jayne Glynn, Operations Manager, The Gavin Glynn Foundation comments “We are absolutely delighted to be joining the Kaleidoscope Festival at Glendalough Estate as an official charity partner for 2027. Family is at the heart of everything we do at The Gavin Glynn Foundation, so it's particularly special to be involved in an event that brings families together. We're really looking forward to being part of the festival weekend, hopefully meeting lots of families taking part in the Family Run Club! It's a wonderful opportunity to raise awareness of our work while encouraging families to get active, have fun and make memories together.”
Kaleidoscope is Ireland’s only festival built entirely around families, with hundreds of activities included in every ticket. Further music lineups alongside all-ages and adventure programming will be announced over the coming months.
Tickets available at Ticketmaster and kaleidoscopefestival.ie.
