Wilde Stages – Dublin Gay Theatre Festival

Wilde Stages is the name the International Dublin Gay Theatre Festival has used since 2026. Brian Merriman founded the festival in 2004. For two weeks in May it brings LGBTQ+ theatre from Ireland and abroad to small venues around the centre, with comedy, drama, dance, physical theatre and musicals.

Sean Denyer is the artistic director, only the second in the festival's history, and Robert Bates is managing director. The 2026 edition, from 4 to 17 May, had nearly 30 shows and events, with companies from eight countries in five venues, including the Pearse Centre, the Teachers' Club and Outhouse on Capel Street. Tickets are sold per show, so you can drop in for a night or plan a whole week.

The festival's own site gives 3 to 16 May 2027 for the next edition.