NEW ARENA: Forest Fest Introduces Kickin’ Up Dust
By 
Forest Fest introduces Kickin’ Up Dust –
a brand new Country and Americana arena
Accessible to all Forest Fest ticketholders
Separate Kickin’ Up Dust arena tickets available
Legendary Acts. Modern Boutique Experience
Five years in, Forest Fest is still doing what it does best: paying attention.
Last month’s announcement of the Forest Fleadh Stage signalled the festival’s commitment to Irish folk and trad at a moment when the genre is experiencing a genuine global resurgence. Today, Forest Fest turns its ear to another movement that’s been impossible to ignore; Country and Americana is having its moment, and this summer, Forest Fest is giving it a dedicated home.
Enter Kickin’ Up Dust — a brand new arena joining the site in 2026, dedicated entirely to the best in contemporary Country, Americana, and everything in between.
The introduction of the new arena was borne out of Forest Fest’s innate ability to listen to its audience. The festival, which takes place this year at Bee’s Wing Farm, Emo Village, Co. Laois has grown every year since it started, but it’s never grown away from the instinct that got it here: find what people love, build something worthy of it, and take care of every detail. As an independent festival, that means every decision is made with the punters in mind.
The Kickin’ Up Dust acts join an already stacked Forest Fest lineup headlined by Echo & The Bunnymen, James and Madness, all performing across the weekend at Bee’s Wing Farm, Emo, Co. Laois from 24th–26th July. They’ll be joined by The Boomtown Rats, The Charlatans, The Undertones, Deacon Blue, The Coronas, Paul Brady, Feeder and many more.
Festival Director, Philip Meagher, says of the new addition to the site:
“I’m delighted to announce the Kickin’ Up Dust Arena as a brand new addition within the Forest Fest footprint. With its own bars, food vendors, and facilities, the arena is going to be a wonderful addition to the festival and unique in the fact that it is accessible to all standard Forest Fest ticketholders – but also available as a separate ticket option.
“Country music has always had its roots in great songs, great stories – and great musicians to bring them to life. With Kickin’ Up Dust, we are creating a unique space designed to honour the legends who have carried the tradition and continued to build the genre in Ireland, while simultaneously championing the rising stars who represent its future. We will also give a platform to some of the most amazing tribute acts in the world right now. We want this arena to be a gathering point for both lifelong followers and new devotees of Country and Americana music. We have listened to our audience and we will deliver an amazing weekend of enjoyment, fun singing and dancing!”
INSIDE THE KICKIN’ UP DUST ARENA
The Kickin’ Up Dust Stage The centrepiece. A full stage dedicated to the finest contemporary Country and Americana artists around — a pilgrimage stop for anyone who’s been waiting for this music to get the main stage treatment it deserves.
Port Art Collective They’re back. The Port Art Collective returns with its much-loved family space — arts and crafts, interactive activities, and a full weekend of things to make, do, and see.
Top of the Crops Housed in a farm-style barn built around a repurposed combine harvester DJ booth, complete with a rotating windmill overhead and a seven-foot spinning Rubik’s Cube, Top of the Crops is Forest Fest’s wildly inventive 70s, 80s and 90s disco led by Wexford DJ legend Nigel Quaid and delivering everything from funk and synth-pop to rockabilly, ska and 90s floor-fillers.
Philip Meagher adds: “I’m also thrilled that we are being joined by the amazing crew from Top of the Crops; an experience celebrating 80s and 90s hits which has proven to be such a fun venue in other festivals over the years. The return of our friends from the Port Art Collective is also hugely exciting and will provide engaging, interactive fun for all the family.”
THE KICKIN’ UP DUST LINEUP
Nathan Carter · Hermitage Green · Mike Denver · Jimmy Buckley · Michael English · Keywest · Robert Mizzell & Band · Cliona Hagan · Dave Lofts · Johnny Brady · Chris Stapleton Experience · Beautiful Crazy Luke Combs Collection · Absolute Eagles · Mack Fleetwood · The Valves · Hurricane Highway · Clodagh Lawlor · Jack Keogh · Claudia Buckley & Band · The KJ McEvoy Band · Delyra · Callum McPhail · Olivia Douglas · Stacey Breen · Ennis Brothers · Paddy Treacy · Gavin Gribben · The Jury · The Bluffers · Half The Truth · Outcast Crew · Granny’s Handbag · The Kates · Jive & Line Dancing with Jivin’ Gym
TICKETS
Standalone Kickin’ Up Dust Arena tickets are on sale now. Early bird tickets start from €40 per day and €100 for the weekend — but early bird pricing won’t last long. All Forest Fest ticket prices will move to Tier 3 pricing on Monday 14th June.
Already have a Forest Fest ticket? You’re in! Access to the full Kickin’ Up Dust Arena is included with all standard Day and Weekend passes.
Want to upgrade from a Kickin’ Up Dust ticket to the full Forest Fest experience? You can do that on-site on the day.
Lineup and tickets at forestfest.ie
COMMUNITY & SUSTAINABILITY
Being independent means being accountable — to the audience, the local community, and the land the festival calls home.
Forest Fest actively supports local enterprise: glamping is provided by Abbeyleix-based Pitched Perfect, and craft beers come from Wicklow Wolf and Ballykilcavan Brewing Co.
Sustainability is a core pillar, and through a partnership with Native Events, the festival is focused on reducing emissions, protecting biodiversity, and driving collective action across energy, transport, waste, food and governance.
In 2026, that focus sharpens around traders and attendees — working together to make the weekend greener and more responsible for everyone involved. Forest Fest will also be collaborating with local charities and collectives to further strengthen its community initiatives on the ground.
Partners for 2026 include Heineken, Bacardi, High Noon, My Waste and European Recycling Platform, with further announcements coming soon.
Full details on sustainability initiatives are available at forestfest.ie.
GETTING THERE & STAYING OVER
Buses – In line with Forest Fest’s sustainability initiatives, we highly encourage using public transport to travel to and from the festival. Day and weekend return bus services to Forest Fest will run from Dublin, Tullamore, Mountmellick/Portarlington, Kilkenny, Portlaoise, and Durrow. Buses can be booked online at forestfest.ie/bus.
Hourly trains serve Portlaoise and Portarlington.
Shuttle buses connect local hotels in Portlaoise, Kildare, Tullamore and Abbeyleix.
If you are planning on driving to Forest Fest, the site is located one hour from Dublin, 5km from the M7 (Exit 15), with complimentary parking on site.
Accommodation options range from Pitched Perfect glamping — two-person pods to eight-person suites with hot showers, phone charging and pamper facilities (book separately) — to campervan, caravan and tent camping. Be warned: campervan and caravan passes are almost sold out.
A wide selection of artisan and street food stalls, vegetarian and vegan options, and a full bar service featuring wine, Prosecco and craft beers rounds out the experience.
VIP upgrades are available from forestfest.ie/vip-pass.
Forest Fest 2026 takes place from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 July at Bee’s Wing Farm, Emo Village, Co. Laois.