Molly Ayala
Electric Picnic is Ireland's largest music and arts festival, held in Stradbally, County Laois. In 2024, the festival will take place from August 16 to August 18, with approximately 75,000 people expected to attend. For those travelling to the festival by car, it is important to follow the directions provided by the Gardaí and event staff, as there are different routes depending on your mode of arrival and type of ticket. The carparks will open for early-entry ticket holders from 4 pm on Thursday, and for general ticket holders from 9 am on Friday. Performances at the festival typically start later on Fridays, around 5 pm, and finish at midnight. On Saturdays, performances usually begin around 1-2 pm and end at 1:30 am, while on Sundays, they start at 1 pm and finish at midnight.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Stradbally Hall, Co. Laois, Ireland |
| Dates | 29th-31st August 2025 |
| Age Limit | Strictly over 18s (except children aged 12 and under, accompanied by a ticket-holding adult) |
| Tickets | Available on Ticketmaster |
| Parking | Free |
| Transport | Shuttle bus service from Portlaoise Train Station |
| Performances | Start around 5 pm on Friday and finish at midnight; Saturday starts around 1-2 pm and ends at 1:30 am; Sunday starts around 1 pm and ends at midnight |
| Prohibited Items | Excess food, cigarettes, alcohol, and glass |
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What You'll Learn
Travel and parking
Electric Picnic is Ireland's largest music festival, and it takes place in Stradbally, County Laois. The festival is easily accessible by train, shuttle bus, car, or coach.
By Train
Portlaoise is the closest train station to the festival. A shuttle bus service runs from the Portlaoise Train Station to Electric Picnic. You can check train times and schedules on the Irish Rail Website.
By Shuttle Bus
Shuttle buses run from Portlaoise Plaza (Junction 17) to Electric Picnic, departing every two hours from 09:45 to 13:45, then every hour from 14:45 to 21:45.
By Car
If you are travelling to the event by car, you will be directed to a designated car park by the Gardai and event staff. Parking is free at the festival, and the car parks allow access to all general camping areas. No sleeping, camping, or fires are allowed in the car parks. Tow-away vehicles are in operation throughout the event, and any illegally parked cars will be removed. There will also be a local recovery service based onsite on Monday morning.
By Coach
If you are arriving in a private hire coach or minibus, you must submit a request in advance with the following information: your name, drop-off time, the number of passengers, bus company name, bus driver's name, contact number, and collection time. Public Bus Passenger Services must also obtain an event or venue route licence from the National Transport Authority in advance.
To avoid delays, do not rely on Sat Nav or Google Maps when travelling to the festival, as there will be road closures and diversions in place. Instead, follow the event signage and directions from the Gardai.
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Arrival and set-up times
Electric Picnic is Ireland's largest music festival, held in Stradbally, County Laois. The festival takes place from the 29th to the 31st of August, with early entry available from 2 pm on the 28th.
If you are planning on driving to the festival, it is important to follow the directions provided by the Gardaí and event staff, as there are different routes depending on your direction of arrival and whether you are being dropped off, holding a weekend ticket, a family ticket, or bringing a campervan/caravan. All attendees travelling by car must park in the designated car parks and are not permitted to sleep, camp, or start fires in these areas. Parking is free at the festival.
For those with early-entry tickets, the carparks will be open from 4 pm on Thursday, while general ticket holders can access carparks from 9 am on Friday morning. The carparks will remain open until 4 pm on Monday, the day after the festival ends. A shuttle bus service will be available from the Portlaoise Train Station to Electric Picnic, with tickets purchased at the door.
If you are arriving by coach or minibus, it is necessary to register in advance by submitting information such as the drop-off time, number of passengers, bus company name, and bus driver's name. Public Bus Passenger Services will also need to obtain an event or venue route licence from the National Transport Authority. To avoid delays, it is recommended to follow the event signage and not rely solely on Sat Nav or Google Maps due to road closures and diversions.
For those planning to bring their own food, cigarettes, and alcohol, it is important to note that excessive amounts may be refused entry. Glass is strictly prohibited across the entire festival site, including campsites. Any alcohol in glass bottles must be decanted before arrival, and refillable bottles of any size are permitted.
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Main stage times
Electric Picnic is Ireland's largest music festival, held in Stradbally, County Laois, from August 16-18, 2024. The Main Stage will host performances by Noah Kahan, Calvin Harris, and Kylie Minogue.
Friday
Main stage acts typically start later on Fridays, around 5 pm, and finish at midnight.
Saturday
The performances start earlier on Saturday, around 1-2 pm, and continue until 1:30 am on Sunday.
Sunday
On Sunday, the acts usually start around 1 pm and finish at midnight.
It is important to note that these times are rough estimates based on the previous year's schedule and may vary for the 2024 festival. To get the most up-to-date information, it is recommended to check the official Electric Picnic website or their social media pages closer to the event date.
Additionally, when planning your travel to the festival, keep in mind that there will be road closures and diversions. Follow the directions provided by the Gardaí and the event signage, rather than relying on Sat Nav or Google Maps, to ensure a smooth journey to the festival grounds.
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Food and drink
Electric Picnic is Ireland's largest music festival, held in Stradbally, County Laois. The festival caters to a wide range of tastes, with music, comedy, podcasts, and food all on offer.
Festival organisers recommend bringing enough food for personal consumption, but advise against bringing excessive amounts. Glass is strictly prohibited across the entire festival site, including the campsites, so any alcohol brought in glass bottles must be decanted before arrival. Refillable bottles of any size are allowed, including plastic sports bottles. Alcohol is permitted in the campsites only in amounts deemed suitable for personal use. There will be no decanting service available on-site, so attendees should come prepared. Glass bottles will be confiscated and destroyed.
For those who want to cook at the festival, the following are allowed: Greenheat Base Camp Cooker, solid fuel stoves, disposable BBQs, firelighters/firelighter stoves, and methylated 'Trangia' spirit stoves. Gas canisters, including nitrous, are not allowed.
There are free drinking water points across the campsites and arena, located next to the toilet blocks.
A Challenge 21 policy will be in place for all alcohol and tobacco sales on-site, and ID checks will be in place at entry to the festival and throughout the weekend.
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What to bring
Electric Picnic is Ireland's largest music and arts festival, held in Stradbally, County Laois. The festival takes place over three days, usually in August, and attracts around 75,000 people. With a range of music, comedy, and other performances, it's an exciting event to attend and one that requires some planning. So, what should you bring to Electric Picnic? Here's a list of essentials:
Clothing and Footwear:
Bring clothes that will keep you comfortable throughout the festival. The Irish weather can be unpredictable, so pack for all possibilities. Include warm layers, a rain jacket, wellies or waterproof footwear, and multiple changes of clothes. Don't forget to pack according to the expected weather conditions, and always bring sun protection, such as a hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
Camping Gear:
If you plan to camp, don't forget your tent, sleeping bag, and any other camping essentials. A small, portable stove or disposable BBQ can be useful for cooking meals, but be sure to check the festival's guidelines on what is permitted.
Food and Drink:
You can bring your own food and drinks, but only in reasonable quantities. Excessive amounts may be refused entry. Glass bottles are strictly prohibited, so make sure any drinks are in plastic or other non-glass containers. Refillable bottles of any size are allowed, which is great for staying hydrated.
Identification and Tickets:
Electric Picnic is an over-18s event, with strict ID requirements. Bring a valid form of identification, such as a passport, driving licence, or Garda Age Card, as proof of age. Children aged 12 and under are allowed but must be accompanied by a ticket-holding parent or guardian, and a colour photocopy of their passport can serve as age confirmation. Don't forget your tickets as well!
Other Essentials:
- Portable phone charger
- Torch or flashlight
- Basic first aid kit
- Money or card for purchases
- Towels and toiletries
- Earplugs for sleeping
- A sense of adventure and fun!
Remember to check the official Electric Picnic website for the most up-to-date information on what you can bring, as well as any prohibited items. It's also a good idea to plan your travel to and from the festival in advance, whether that's by car, shuttle bus, or public transport.
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Frequently asked questions
The festival will take place from 16-18 August. Carparks will open for early-entry ticket holders from 4 pm on Thursday, and for general ticket holders from 9 am on Friday morning.
Acts start later on Friday—around 5 pm—and finish at midnight. On Saturday, performances start around 1-2 pm and end at 1.30 am. On Sunday, performances start at 1 pm and finish at midnight.
Portlaoise is the closest train station to the festival, with a shuttle bus service running to Electric Picnic. There are also official bus services from various locations in Ireland. If you are driving, follow the event signage and directions from the Gardaí, not your Sat Nav, as there are road closures and diversions in place.
Early Entry pass holders can enter campsites from 2 pm on Thursday, 28 August.
Carparks open from 4 pm on Thursday and close at 4 pm on Monday, 19 August.
