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Electric Picnic - Enjoying the Festival Alcohol Free

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Ferris Wheel at Electric Picnic Ferris Wheel at Electric Picnic ©Panoramic Ireland

There’s nothing better than a music festival, and in Ireland there is nothing better than the largest festival of them all – Electric Picnic.

Now in its 19th edition, the Electric Picnic has grown and sees the world’s largest headliners (Kylie, Billie Eilish, Dua Lipa, Hozier etc. throughout the years) and some of the most famous artists to ever record music including Debbie Harry, The Stranglers, Grace Jones, Nile Rodgers etc… with its largest ever capacity of 75,000 attendees in 2024.

If the music alone isn’t enough to satisfy your interests then you won’t be disappointed because Electric Picnic is also Ireland’s largest arts festival with more then enough to entertain throughout the weekend.

Now, while most visitors to EP will undoubtedly be enjoying themselves with more than just one pint, vodka etc… here are some things to do in 2024 that don’t involve alcohol.

Sit and enjoy some gospel and choir music in the afternoon sunshine while everyone else is nursing hangover headaches and crawling out of their tents. Previous artists here include the Trinity Orchestra and Irish Women in Harmony.

Enjoy an Afternoon Recital at Electric Picnic
Enjoy an Afternoon Recital at Electric Picnic

Ferris Wheel and funfair – what more can you say, the flavour of a visit to a traditional Irish seaside town in summer comes to the Main Arena at Electric Picnic. A Ferris Wheel, merry-go-rounds, spinny things and the smell of popcorn and candy floss.

Ferris Wheel at Electric Picnic

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Mindfield – A packed itinerary in the Mindfield Arena includes amongst others former President of Ireland Mary McAleese in conversation with veteran broadcaster Mary Kennedy or the History Ireland Hedge School investigating Irish Civil War deaths and the legacy that this devastating episode in Ireland’s history left behind.

Elsewhere in Mindfield, Irish actor Robert Sheehan, star of The Umbrella Academy, chats with iconic Irish comedian Dylan Moran about his new book Playing Dead. And the Ah, Hear! Podcast Stage once again brings some of Ireland’s most popular podcasts, across a range of genres, together in one place.

Check out here for more on the line-up in the Mindfield Arena at Electric Picnic 2024.

Croí – Take time out and relax in Croí and Crescent Earth stages. From high-energy Brazilian Afro Dance Classes to Hula Hooping and even Techno Disco Yoga, there will be uplifting classes throughout the day designed to raise your vibration and make sure you are smiling.

Croí is a harmonious hub of music, movement and meditative activities, the brand-new source of positive energy and joy at the core of Electric Picnic’s Main Arena. Croí Stage From the contemporary to the traditional, the Croí stage will celebrate the manifold of Irish creativity following its profound and unique musical evolution from the 1970s to the present. Expect brass sections, bodhráns, gospel choirs, sean nós singers, rock bands and hip-hop MCs. From the ambient to the electronic and all in between, we will showcase the originality of the Irish music scene in all its glory.

Crescent Earth Stage

From high-energy Brazilian Afro Dance Classes to Hula Hooping and even Techno Disco Yoga, there will be uplifting classes throughout the day designed to raise your vibration and make sure you are smiling.

Kinship & Touch

Come and learn how to connect with yourself and others in a warm, welcoming space. Heighten your pleasure and discover new ways to boost your relationships! This area will host a variety of sessions including a Sacred Love Couples Ceremony, a career cultivating Workshop and some much needed Yin Yoga.

Realign

Take a moment during your busy day to realign your body and energy with this experiential programme. Experience the healing power of sound practices, igniting breathwork and grounding cacao. Start your Day with some Chakra Awakening Yoga with Maura Rath and finish with an Electric Energy Masterclass with Aoife Smith. We have it all! Intinn Empower yourself by turning inward and balancing your mind.

This carefully crafted programme is designed to support mindful living and offers the opportunity to replenish your stores with Celtic Sound Healing, Sister Healing Circles, and Resilience Building Workshops.

Water and Warmth

Nestled away from the crowds is the sanctuary of Water and Warmth. Relax, reset and rejuvenate yourself in our six wood-fired hot tubs, our large sauna and three cold dunk tanks. Let the heat cleanse your pores, stimulate circulation, and detoxify your body, leaving you feeling refreshed and invigorated. These Danish woodfired saunas and hot tubs are made to restore and rebalance and are the perfect way to reset for the day ahead. Hot tubs can fit up to six friends together and saunas up to groups of eight.

Food

Enjoy the food, some of Ireland’s best caterers are to be found in the Main Arena in Electric Picnic and the Theatre of Food has talks, tastings, demonstrations and more throughout the weekend.

Tasty Treats at Electric Picnic
Tasty Treats at Electric Picnic

Wander on a sunny day with an ice cream.

Ice Cream at Electric Picnic
Ice Cream at Electric Picnic

Have a Picnic in the sunshine.

Picnic Under the Tree in the Sunshine at Electric Picnic
Picnic Under the Tree in the Sunshine at Electric Picnic

Why not Cycle around a bit.

Cycling Around at Electric Picnic
Cycling Around at Electric Picnic

Enjoy artworks, street art by some of Ireland’s best known artists can be found at Electric Picnic.

Street Art by Solus at Electric Picnic
Street Art by Solus at Electric Picnic

Embrace the rain (although it doesn’t actually rain that much) – it’s Ireland, in the summer so of course it doesn’t rain at all. Actually this year, we’ve likely dodged any rain by sneakily moving the dates by a few weeks. Nice!

Fans Enjoying the Rain at Electric Picnic
Fans Enjoying the Rain at Electric Picnic

Do some celebrity spotting, as Ireland’s largest and best festival, there are plenty of famous people on stage and off including Irish actor Jack Reynor.

Jack Reynor, Hollywood actor in Sing Street, The Peripheral, Transformers and more at Electric Picnic.
Jack Reynor, Hollywood actor in Sing Street, The Peripheral, Transformers and more at Electric Picnic.

Enjoy Hula hooping with a nun

Sit around the campfire at night, honestly Electric Picnic may be Ireland’s largest music festival but it is also Ireland’s largest arts festival as well.

Comedy Arena – Electric Picnic has many of Ireland’s and the world’s best comedians including Ardal O’Hanlon - https://panoramicireland.com/blog-ireland-guide/what-links-dublin-forty-foot-electric-picnic-comedy-arena-2024-ardal-o-hanlon-holy-f-loosehorse-irish-propensity-cursing-darren-mcloughlin-video-footage

Try your Father Ted knowledge in Trailer Park at the Quizivan

 

Last modified on Monday, 12 August 2024 23:22
Darren McLoughlin

Irishman and International travel photographer in search of the best bits of Ireland. Leading photography tours and experiences in Ireland.

Contributor to New York Times / Sunday Times / Irish Times / Echtra Echtra and Eonmusic

Cancer survivor.

Ask me about travel in Ireland or about photography in Ireland.

https://darrenmcloughlin.com

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