Brought to you by Cork Midsummer Festival. 

They say childhood memories are the clearest.

And with a long summer of school-free days stretching out ahead of Cork’s young folk, now is the time to plan some magical moments they’ll remember forever.

If breaking away from the screens and venturing out into the great outdoors for a bit of adventure is high on your list of priorities for this summer, the Cork Midsummer Festival Programme should be your first port of call.

The line-up has been curated with young imaginations in mind, with a selection of fascinating events that will enchant, surprise and delight – and most of them are free to enjoy.

Here are six events to add to your family’s calendar this June:

1. The Midsummer Parade

Thursday, June 21st, Oliver Plunkett Street

An exciting invitation to stay up late, the first-ever Midsummer Parade will begin at 7pm, running for around 45 minutes.

Taking place on the summer solstice, fantastical floats, puppets, masked performers and all manner of musicians, dancers and revellers will take to Oliver Plunkett Street for a unique performance in the celebration of the longest day of the year and the creativity of Cork communities.

2. Art Gifts

June 17th, 2022, city-wide

After a spectacular debut in 2021, Art Gifts is back by popular demand for 2022. The concept sees a unique short live performance of music, theatre, poetry, opera, circus or dance just for you and your loved ones delivered to your door.

You can order a free surprise 10-minute Art Gift for yourself, a friend or a family member from June 1st here.

3. Beatbox Academy 

June 14th-16th, 2022, Everyman Theatre, MacCurtain Street

Led by hip-hop artist Conrad Murray, these free workshops offer a special opportunity for 10-21-year-olds to learn the skills of beatboxing and perform at the Everyman – no experience necessary.

Learn to beatbox, jam with other young musicians, improve your vocal techniques and make your own music using nothing but your mouth – from Hip Hop and Grime to R&B and Dubstep. Sign up here.

4. Ulysses for Children

June 16th-19th, Civic Trust House, Pope’s Quay (tickets €5/€10)

James Joyce’s epic story of one day in one city is brought to life in this inventive new show, bringing Ireland’s most notorious book to audiences aged eight and upwards, and to all those who haven’t got around to reading it yet.

Presented as part of Ulysses 2.2, and combining live performance, intricate paper design, an original score and Joyce’s odyssey, this is theatre that will excite young and old.

5. Gaia

June 15th-26th, 2022, St Colman’s Cathedral, Cobh

See the Earth in a whole new way in this spectacular and eerily beautiful installation by Luke Jerram.

Named for Gaia, the personification of the Earth in Greek mythology, and measuring seven metres in diameter, this floating sculpture features spectacularly high-resolution imagery of the Earth’s surface provided by NASA, providing the opportunity to see our planet closer to its true scale, floating in three-dimensions, alongside a specially made composition by BAFTA award-winning composer Dan Jones.

Mesmerising, especially for children, this one is not to be missed.

6. Frankenstein

June 17th and 18th, The Everyman, tickets €12/€18

Inspired by the original monstrous tale of power and persecution, this critically acclaimed production is in Cork for just two performances, suitable for kids aged 14+. Six performers with six microphones take apart Mary Shelley’s original and reimagine a world of modern monsters – from our over-stimulated digital age to the pressures to conform – while taking musical inspiration from Pachelbel to The Prodigy.

Frankenstein will leave you asking: Who are the monsters we fear? Who created them? And how the hell did they just do that with their voices?!

Cork Midsummer Festival will stage 12 days of exhilarating theatre, electrifying music, and joyful spectacle in Cork from June 15th to 26th, 2022. To find out more, visit corkmidsummer.com.

You can view the full brochure here.