The Galway Arts Festival takes place in Galway, Ireland every July. It first began in 1978 and since has grown into one of the biggest arts festival in Ireland. It attracts international artists as well as providing a platform for local and national performers also.

The Festival includes parades, street performances and numerous plays, musical concerts and comedy acts. Over the years the Festival has developed a reputation to rival the near-hedonistic atmosphere which envelopes the city of Galway during those weeks.

It is organized by Galway Arts Festival Ltd. which is a registered charity and a non-profit organization.

Alternatively, this year, a parallel festival is running alongside the Galway Arts Festival, whose aim is to celebrate Galway's cultural and artistic diversity.

Project '06 will run from July 17 to 30, alongside the Galway Arts Festival and will feature a carnival parade, street art, happenings, art exhibitions, music concerts, dance, literature events, and theatre. The program is available on www.project06.com

According to the organisers Project '06 is a one year only event which hopes to open a dialogue with the Galway Arts Festival and influence its future direction.

Both festivals will prove to be very complementary so this should be a very exciting two weeks in Galway.