Five fun things to do at this year’s Bord Bia Bloom

It’s Bloom week, hurray! As we prepare to open the gates to the festival in a few days, the time has come to start planning your trip to this summer’s hottest festival! 

With more than 300 (yes, 300!) live talks and demos, 34 gardens of all sizes, over 100 artisan food and drink producers, an abundant display of plants, over 60 amazing food trucks, and three delicious restaurants, there are plenty of opportunities to grow, taste, and learn at this year’s Bord Bia Bloom.  

 

Here is our top five pick of fun things to do this year: 

1. Be inspired by our magical gardens:

From our 21 magnificent Show Gardens to this year’s collection of 11 picture-perfect Postcard Gardens, supported by Tirlán CountryLife, plus the interactive Eat Well Garden and the Office of Public Works’ beautifully restored Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden, there is no shortage of garden inspiration at Bloom 2025. You can read more about our gardens and gardening features here.

 

2. Learn from the best on our six live stages and many demo spaces:

Pick up some clever gardening tips from Diarmuid Gavin, Adam Frost and more on the Garden Stage, sponsored by Zarbee’s; watch some of Ireland’s leading chefs and culinary stars in action on the Dunnes Stores Quality Kitchen Stage; hear environmental experts discuss practical ideas for reducing your carbon footprint on the Sustainable Living Stage, sponsored by Certa (official supplier of HVO to Bloom); and listen to live music from an eclectic collection of artists, curated by YouBloom, on the Entertainment Stage 

There’s also an exciting new Botanical Hub Demo Space; the new Seafood Kitchen with demonstrations from chef Trisha Lewis; Horticulture is Life talks and workshops; the Agri Aware Farm Feature, and much, much more. Check out the Bloom Event Schedule for more details. 

Along with our busy line-up of performances, you can have one-to-one chats with gardening experts in our Ask the Expert Plant Clinic, presented by The Irish Garden magazine; Ask the Tree Expert Clinic, in association with CRANN – Trees for Ireland; plus the Garden Design Clinic, in association with the Garden & Landscape Designers Association. And make sure to make time for our inspirational Conservation Area, where you can meet with leading conservationists and environmentalists to discuss how we can all take action to improve the world around us. 

 

3. Tantalise your taste buds in our fabulous food features:

With three indoor restaurants and three outdoor food destinations serving a wide variety of cuisines, there is a delicious array of catering options at this year’s Bloom. You can choose from an exciting collection of artisan food trucks in our Food Village, Picnic Area, and dedicated grill zone, BBQ Bliss, sponsored by Ninja Woodfire. For casual indoor dining, head to Country Crest Restaurant or try The Seafood Terrace for some deliciously nutritious Irish seafood.  

And in something extra special for Bloom this year, look out for ‘A Taste of Bloom, curated by Neven’. Enjoy a three-course meal, choosing from a menu curated by chef Neven Maguire, while relaxing in the stylish surroundings of The Garden View Restaurant. This new dining experience is proving quite a hit so prebooking on Ticketmaster is advised. Be quick before it sells out! 

 

4. Have fun with your Budding Bloomers:

With an abundance of activities to grow, craft, and learn, there is plenty to keep our younger visitors entertained this year. Head to the Budding Bloomers Children’s Area for face painting, crafting, and a rip-roaring line up of enthralling performances from some of Ireland’s favourite children’s entertainers.  

There’s a First 5 Sandpit from the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, Story Time with Dublin City Library, willow weaving with Westcountry Willows, Paddy Courtney’s Planting Patch and plenty of fizz, foam, and fascinating plant science in Scientific Sue’s Bubbling Botanicals 

Elsewhere in the festival, children can explore the Show Gardens (look out for the Dragon Toothless in the How to Train Your Dragon Garden, sponsored by Universal Pictures Ireland); visit the Phoenix Park Playground; learn about farming in the Agri Aware Farm Feature; and get their hands dirty in the Westland Horticulture Potting Shed 

Remember, two children aged 16 and under can enter for free with every adult ticket making Bloom a great family day out! 

 

5. Indulge in some retail therapy: 

From food to fashion and plants to paintings, there is something to tempt everyone at Bloom. You can browse stunning displays and purchase plants to bring home in the Nursery Village, in association with Elite Garden Products and The Plant Emporium, in association with Arboretum Garden Centres, Kildare Growers Association and Bord Bia; sample and purchase produce from over 100 of Ireland’s best artisan food and drink producers in the Food Village; see some of the country’s most talented craftspeople in action in the Design & Crafts Council Ireland Irish Craft Village; and buy a wide range of items for your home and garden in our Indoor Shopping Pavilion and Outdoor Retail Area. You can view the full list of exhibitors here.

 

With all this and so much more, you’re sure to have a great day out at Bord Bia Bloom. View the Event Schedule to start planning your visit, book your tickets on Ticketmaster, and follow us on social @BordBiaBloom #BordBiaBloom for the latest festival updates.