Arts and Creativity Editor Aastha Sabrina Grier discusses the rising cost of Irish festivals

By Aastha Sabrina Grier | Sep 11 2026

The recent surge of 2016 nostalgia reminds us of simpler times and the music we grew up on. Ten years ago, festivals did not require a picture-perfect Instagram post or a financial strategy. Attendees wouldn’t bat an eye at the €6 pints and chips. However, in the modern-day Irish festival scene, this is not the case.

Severe inflation over the past decade has caused difficulties for small food businesses operating at such festivals. Supply chains have increased ingredient costs in the post-pandemic economy, as well the increase on energy and fuel prices. Labour shortages during peak seasons force vendors to offer higher wages to employ part-time staff. Alongside this, festival organisers are demanding a 20-30% cut of takings from food vendors, on top of pitch fees. The negative impact has been felt at festivals across the summer. Attendees have reported prices like €20 for a small pizza or €4 for a small bottle of water at events like All Together Now.

In 2026, the Forbidden Fruit festival charged €205 for a weekend ticket, while day tickets cost up to €112. This is inflated by close to 50%, as the same festival cost €119 for three-day weekend tickets and €59 for one-day passes only a decade ago.

The Electric Picnic and All Together Now have loyalty schemes that can grant money off tickets for returning attendees. However, this raises the question of why these special discounts are necessary in the first place. It seems to be a marketing tactic that attempts to keep frequent festival-goers satisfied whilst distracting them from how expensive the tickets have become.

However, festival-goers admit that it is easier to complain about food prices than to bring their own packed meals for a weekend festival like Beyond The Pale. Many resort to surviving on dry snacks and having one proper meal per day due to the extortionate pricing. So if you are heading to a muddy field, remember, a hot meal is more or less a luxury - so think twice before tapping.