The Brave Maeve Family Festival is back by popular demand, transforming Bray Seafront into a magical world of mythology, music, movement, and mindful moments on Saturday, July 26th and Sunday, July 27th, 2025, from noon to 6 pm daily.
Inspired by the legendary tale of Brave Maeve, a giant heroine awakening from her ancient slumber, this free, family-friendly festival blends folklore and fun across five immersive themed zones: Showtime Stage, Beach Theatre Area, Crafty Cave, Imagination Station and Zen by the Sea Zone.
The Showtime Stage bursts to life with high-energy displays and live entertainment that will dazzle audiences of all ages. Highlights include the ever-popular Ruben the Entertainer, bringing daily magic shows, dynamic dance displays by local groups, and a fun, interactive Let’s Get Dancing Class led by Studio X founder Rachel Fisher. Festivalgoers can also experience a vibrant African Dance performance.
Step into the captivating world of the Beach Theatre Area, where best friends Doris and Mabel’s passion for books and boiled sweets evolves into stunning aerial acts and acrobatics that bring stories to life, courtesy of Sanita Circus. Additionally, a vibrant street theatre show celebrates movement, myth, and creativity.
In the Crafty Cave, imagination shines. Join a hands-on puppet-making workshop and add a personal flair to the carnival. Young artists can engage in arts and crafts sessions with White Doodle Art, bringing mythical creatures and festival magic to life with paper, paint, and creativity.
Step into the Imagination Station, where wonder, laughter, and learning come together in one magical space! Delight in a heartwarming Teddy Bears’ picnic and enchanting storytelling sessions, perfect for little dreamers. Get ready to giggle through interactive puppet shows, full of playful surprises and silly characters. And for curious minds, don’t miss the high-energy Dr Brain’s Science Show—a spectacular mix of fun and fascinating experiments that will spark imaginations of all ages.
The Zen by the Sea Zone invites festivalgoers to pause, breathe, and reconnect with calming yoga and meditation sessions, energising fitness classes, and a designated area to help families unwind while soaking up the seaside serenity.
As if that were not enough, the Seafront Funfair is open daily from midday until 10 pm, while food trucks will offer a variety of cuisines to cater to all tastes, while artisan vendors will offer handmade crafts and more…
Participants are also encouraged to take part in the #2MinuteBeachClean, a simple but powerful initiative that invites everyone to give back to Bray’s beautiful shoreline.
Don’t miss the Brave Maeve Story Trail and explore the 1.5km seafront trail that brings Maeve’s journey to life through five vibrant murals created by Chris Judge in collaboration with 50 local children. It’s the heart of the festival and a must-do for every family.
Whether you’re dancing to the beat, creating magical crafts, or unwinding in a mindful moment by the sea, #BraveMaeveFamilyFestival has something for everyone. Admission is entirely free; no tickets are required.Plan your weekend of family fun now by visiting bravemaevefestival.com/.
About Brave Maeve Story Trail
Along Bray’s seafront, this kids’ walking trail links up five brightly coloured murals created by children’s author and illustrator Chris Judge in collaboration with 50 local children. Together, the murals tell the story of Maeve, a young giant who is searching for a home for her family, encountering monsters and mythical figures along the way. The trail is 1.5km long.
Curated by Donna Carroll, this project received funding from Platform Pizza, Bray Municipal District, Megazyme, and Bray Credit Union. The stunning murals were brought to life by the talented team at Triskill. The trail earned the ‘Best Use of Creativity in the Community’ Award at the Business to Arts Awards in 2018.
Bray Mythology was written and illustrated by Chris Judge © 2017.
Brave Maeve Family Festival socials:
- w: https://bravemaevefestival.com
- f: https://www.facebook.com/bravemaevefestival/
- i: https://www.instagram.com/bravemaevefestival/
The festival forms part of the #SummerinBray campaign, which is a collaborative effort involving the Bray and District Chamber of Commerce, Bray Municipal District, Wicklow County Council and bray.ie. Its goal is to promote tourism products, strengthen the local economy, and create lasting memories for visitors and residents.
Learn more about the #SummerInBray campaign, festivals, and events at https://bray.ie/summer2025/.
Festival hashtags are #BraveMaeveFamilyFestival #BraveMaeveStoryTrail #SummerInBray #LoveBray
For further information, interview requests, media accreditation, filming opportunities and high-resolution digital assets, please contact: info@bray.ie.