Funtropolis

Dublin City Council Funtropolis is set to return to both Merrion Square Park and Mountjoy Square Park for its third year this July & August. The hugely popular, family fun event is already a firm favourite with Dubliners and visitors to the city alike and features the very best in entertainment from exciting street theatre to groovy music and dance, hilarious comedy, delicious food and drink and a whole lot more. The ultimate, free family fun day set in the very heart of Dublin city.

Following on from the success of the last two events, this years’ celebrations have been thoughtfully curated to ensure maximum delight throughout for visitors of all ages. Two awesome weekends, jam-packed with excitement and fun – the perfect reason for families to come into the city and explore. Dublin City Council will also be providing free face-painting and fairground rides at both locations which are sure to be a huge hit!

Curious minds are bound to love the exciting experiments from none other than Mark the Science Guy while Joe the Magician (star of RTÉ abraKIDabra and Dizzy Deliveries!) will be amazing his audience with his very own spectacular mix of magic, illusion and comedy. Stop by and discover the enchanting blend of science and drama in Scientific Sue’s Magical Science and Engineering Show or burn off some of that energy at Generation POUND, combining kid-friendly choreography and group activities.

Prepare to be entertained with interactive and spellbinding performances from Cikadas Circus and laughs a plenty with Those Two Idiots as they navigate their hilarious day at the beach! Enjoy a street – theatre stimming performance by AU- ADHD artist Moss Russell and get to know all things samba at the Ta Tum Tum music show. For something completely different, make sure you get to experience the Morbid & Sons show or immerse yourself in music at Pstryk, an interactive musical experience designed especially for children aged 3-10 years. GOAL NextGen and Smashing Times will also be on site to bring us Changemakers Storytelling, a family friendly interactive storytelling session with performances spun around three stories and incorporating singing, dancing and mindfulness.

The much-loved Bandstand Stage is also set to make a return this year and will be rocking all day with Code of Behaviour bringing a pop, jazz and overall party atmosphere. DJ Will Softly & The Bubble Gang, along with The African Gospel Choir, Go Dance for Change and many more will keep everyone grooving on the lawn too! Book lovers can explore the mobile library which is always super popular, or why not check out the DCC Sports and Wellbeing Zone? The Dublin City Council outdoor mobile child sensory unit will also be available for use for anyone attending at either location who identifies as neurodiverse.

Magical moments await at this years’ Story Yurt where there are some gorgeous experiences to discover. From the Teddy Bears Picnic Singalong and instrument time to family music sessions, relaxing, mindful movement from the one and only Óga Yoga and the Cosmic Movers Space Themed Dance workshop with Jess Rowell that’s guaranteed to get little ones movin’ & groovin’! Sit back and enjoy the Three Little Pigs Puppet Show, a sweet, simple rendition of the much-loved children’s tale.

Get little minds all fired up over at the Inspiration Station. The Bubble Guys will be on hand to create some impressively huge specimens for all to enjoy while GOMBA & Rhythm AFRICANA will use traditional African styles of music and rhythm to emphasise justice issues and promote social inclusion. Encourage the next generation of talented Irish artists at a Dublin Art Class, suitable for children aged 8 – 12 or if you have a mini-mozart in the making, be sure to get involved at Mobile Music School presents Let’s Explore – fun-filled, activity-based music workshops exploring the world of music-making in an open and relaxed environment.

There will be a range of tasty food and drink available for purchase in the park, along with buggy storage, bike parking and a drinking water station for refilling water bottles throughout the event. A convenient baby feeding & changing area has also been included while the removal of pitch fees for food and drink vendors
will result in better value for all throughout.

Guests are encouraged to travel on foot or via public transport where possible. In an effort to ensure that all of their events are carried out as sustainability conscious as possible, Dublin City Council have also implemented a no single plastic rule across both events and also require the use of HVO generators throughout to further reduce their carbon footprint. With diversity and inclusion at the forefront of all Dublin City Council events, the festival programme has also been thoughtfully curated to ensure that it truly reflects the people and cultures
of modern Dublin.