Forest Fest announces new arena and acts for 2026 festival

FOREST Fest, the annual music festival taking place at Bee's Wing Farm, Emo, Co Laois, has announced a new arena dedicated entirely to contemporary Country and Americana-style music.

Titled ‘Kickin’ Up Dust’, the brand-new arena joins the site in 2026 and boasts top talent such as Nathan Carter, Hermitage Green, Mike Denver, Jimmy Buckley, Michael English, Keywest, and more.

The Kickin' Up Dust acts join a stacked lineup headlined by Echo & The Bunnymen, James, and Madness, all performing across the weekend of 24–26 July. Also on the bill are The Boomtown Rats, The Charlatans, The Undertones, Deacon Blue, The Coronas, Paul Brady, Feeder and more.

Festival Director, Philip Meagher, says he is delighted to announce the Kickin’ Up Dust Arena as a brand new addition to the festival: “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”, he said.

He continued: “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.” 

The Kickin’ Up Dust arena also features the Port Art Collective, who will facilitate arts, crafts and interactive activities, as well as Top of the Crops, a 70s, 80s and 90s disco led by Wexford DJ Nigel Quaid, housed in a farm-style barn built around a repurposed combine harvester DJ booth.

Standalone Kickin’ Up Dust arena tickets are on sale now. Early bird tickets start from €40 per day and €100 for the weekend. Access to the full Kickin’ Up Dust Arena is included with all standard Day and Weekend passes.