Free family  festival for the capital

OVER 250,000 people are expected in Dublin for this year’s Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular.

Entry to this family friendly festival in Merrion Square is entirely free of charge.

The festival, which is runningover three days, from July 15 to 16, showcases the best in international street performance, interactive family activities, delicious artisan producers and street food from around the world as well as a pet wellness area with the DSPCA. 

Speaking at the launch, Festival Director Shell Holden, said: “This year’s free festival will be brought to life through our spectacular line-up which includes world record breaking street performers, healthy heroes The Happy Pear, spandex sporting comedy duo Lords of Strut and this year’s festival ambassador – Ireland’s favourite turkey, Dustin.

“Areas to explore at this summer’s biggest festival include Laya Healthcare’s Greatest Place on Earth; a spellbinding land with family health and happiness at its heart, a world street food village with a live music stage and waiter service, and pet wellness area with the DSPCA.

“This is where festival-goers can get pet health advice or be the star of the Scruffs Dog Show.

“We would love everyone – families, friends, couples and pet pooches – to come join in the celebrations and enjoy our free festival this July,” he added.

Laya Healthcare, Ireland’s second largest health insurance provider, has once again committed its support to the family festival, and will focus on children’s health and wellbeing at this year’s event.

“This year looks set to be the most spellbinding yet in terms of talent and unique performances and we’re excited to welcome families from all over Ireland to Dublin to enjoy this free event”, said DO O’Connor, Deputy Managing Director of Laya Healthcare. 

“At Laya Healthcare, we like giving back to our members through free events like the City Spectacular. This is another demonstration of our brand promise of ‘looking after you always’.

“This year the Greatest Place on Earth will once again provide a haven of fitness and fun including family yoga and aerobics, healthy talks and food tasters from The Happy Pear and lots more free activities to keep all the family moving and entertained.”

Family health, fitness and wellbeing will be central to Laya Healthcare’s Greatest Place on Earth area with Ready, Steady, Grow a fully interactive children’s show from Imaginosity, Dublin Children’s Museum, and free drama and dance classes.

Join Dustin the Turkey in this jam-packed area at the Dublin festival for the Birdbrain quiz where kids will go head to head with their grown ups.

Just Eat Street – the international street food village within Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular – is a feast of food, fun entertainment running the length of Merrion Square South in Dublin.

Visitors are invited to devour over 25 different cuisines from around the world and enjoy music from international musical acts. Chill in the sunshine with friends and family.

The Just Eat Waiter Service takes and delivers food orders for festival-goers, bringing the best of Just Eat’s online ordering service to life at Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular.

This year’s official charity partner has been announced as the Dublin Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (DSPCA).

Laya Healthcare’s City Spectacular is celebrating all things pets.

Bring your pooch along to PET-acular and they could be the star of the ‘Scruffs Dog Show’, hang out in the King of Paws agility arena and set tails wagging in their very own photo shoot.

For the full programme of fun activities and excitement check out cityspectacular.com.