Reimagining festival experiences through purposeful action, restorative practices, and heartfelt reconnection in the heart of Kerry
For decades, festivals have been about music, crowds, celebration and high energy. But a quiet revolution is happening in festival culture—one where mindfulness, movement and meaningful connection are taking centre stage. At the heart of this shift is wellness. And for the third year in a row, the Wellness Zone with Quest and Thrive at Tralee Street Festival is proud to lead this movement in Kerry.
From 15–19 August 2025, we’re inviting festival-goers to slow down, breathe deeply and experience a different kind of joy at the Tralee Bay Wetlands Eco & Activity Park—our beautiful new location for this year’s five-day programme. With the support of the long-established Ballygarry House Hotel, who are generously providing our marquee, this year’s Wellness Zone promises to be the most transformative yet. All sessions are free to attend, but booking is required via our website www.questandthrive.ie
What is the Wellness Zone?
The Wellness Zone with Quest and Thrive is a dedicated space within the Tralee Street Festival that offers free and inclusive wellness experiences for all ages. Running daily from 9am to 5pm, the zone features a full programme of yoga, meditation, breathwork, movement, and nature-based practices, delivered by experienced facilitators. We’ve also created space in previous years for children’s activities and we plan to continue that inclusive approach in 2025.
Whether you’re a seasoned wellness practitioner or someone simply looking to take a break from the bustle of the festival, this space is for you.
- Dates: August 15–19, 2025
- Location: Tralee Bay Wetlands
- Cost: Free
Booking: Required via www.questandthrive.ie
Why does wellness belong at festivals?
- Because we all need space to breathe
Festivals are joyful, but they can also be intense. Between noise, stimulation, and crowds, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. The Wellness Zone offers a sanctuary—a place to recalibrate, reconnect and return to the festival with a clearer, calmer mindset.
Festival organisers across the globe are beginning to recognise that wellbeing is not a luxury—it’s a necessity. From Glastonbury to Electric Picnic, wellness areas are becoming essential features. At Tralee Street Festival, we’re proud to be part of this evolution in the Irish festival scene.
- Because community wellness builds stronger local culture
Our work with Tralee Bay Wetlands and Ballygarry House Hotel is grounded in shared values: sustainability, care for nature and commitment to community wellbeing. This collaboration is about more than just venue or logistics—it’s about building a long-term culture of wellness in Kerry.
We believe in accessible wellbeing—and festivals are one of the most powerful ways to bring wellbeing practices to the public, free of charge and without barriers. It’s one thing to talk about wellness in a yoga studio—it’s another to offer it out in the open, in nature, where anyone can walk up and join (with a quick pre-book online).
Why Tralee Bay Wetlands is the perfect location
This year, we’re thrilled to bring the Wellness Zone to the Tralee Bay Wetlands, a truly unique ecological destination built around a preserved wetland area just a short walk from the town centre.
The setting couldn’t be more fitting. Surrounded by reeds, waterways and birdlife, the Wetlands offers the perfect backdrop for natural movement, outdoor meditation and mindful walking. It invites visitors to reconnect not only with themselves, but with the living landscape of Kerry.
Hosting a wellness experience in a place that already embodies environmental care and sustainability brings even more meaning to the work we do.
Meet our wellness marquee partner: Ballygarry House Hotel
Another cornerstone of this year’s event is the support of Ballygarry House Hotel, who are providing the marquee for the Wellness Zone.
As one of Kerry’s most respected and long-standing hospitality providers, Ballygarry is more than just a sponsor—they’re a like-minded partner. Known for their commitment to sustainability, green energy, and holistic guest experience, Ballygarry is a natural fit for Quest and Thrive’s values.
Their involvement helps us reach a wider community and ensures the physical space for the Wellness Zone with Quest and Thrive is welcoming, accessible and beautifully set up. Together, we’re creating something that supports both local wellbeing and environmental awareness.
What to expect: Five days of wellness in the heart of Tralee
Our 2025 programme will run daily from 9am to 5pm from Friday, 15 August to Tuesday, 19 August and will include:
- Morning yoga and breathwork sessions by the lake
- Guided meditations under canvas and in nature
- Informal talks and drop-in sessions on wellbeing
- Activities suitable for children and families
- Opportunities to connect with others—or simply unwind solo
All sessions are free but require booking via www.questandthrive.ie. Booking helps us keep the space calm, safe and welcoming for all.
You can come for one session or spend the entire day with us. No prior experience is necessary—just bring an open heart and a curiosity for wellness in its many forms.
Why we keep coming back
2025 marks our third year bringing the Wellness Zone with Quest and Thrive to Tralee Street Festival. Over the years, we’ve seen:
- A core community who already value wellness come to deepen their practice, reconnect with like-minded people and experience familiar rituals in a new setting Overwhelmed parents discover breathwork for the first time
- Teenagers try yoga in the open air, laughing with their friends
- Festival volunteers take ten minutes to ground themselves before returning to the crowd
- Elderly visitors enjoying gentle stretches while reconnecting with nature
These are the moments that make it all worthwhile. They’re small, but powerful. And they’re exactly why wellness belongs at festivals.
Join us in August
If you’ll be in Kerry this August, we warmly invite you to visit the Wellness Zone at Tralee Bay Wetlands. Whether you’re attending Tralee Street Festival already or simply want to experience the calming, nourishing atmosphere of the Wellness Zone with Quest and Thrive, we’ll be there, ready to welcome you.
- Mark your calendar: 15–19 August 2025
- Full details and booking soon at www.questandthrive.ie
- Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for updates, schedule releases, and behind-the-scenes previews
Together with Ballygarry House Hotel and Tralee Bay Wetlands, we’re creating something truly special. We hope you’ll be part of it.
