Free entry, DJs, kids’ activities, food, games and plenty of laid-back festival vibes are coming to Dublin’s Docklands this August.
Looking for somewhere to soak up the last stretch of summer? Bolands Mills is throwing open its doors for Chill at the Mill, a free, all-ages neighbourhood block party landing in the Docklands on Saturday, August 15th.
Running from 12pm to 6pm, the one-day celebration is set to turn the newly restored historic site into one big summer hangout, bringing together families, friends and neighbours for an afternoon of music, food, games and good old-fashioned hanging out.
The soundtrack is looking pretty good too, with an Irish DJ line-up featuring Graham Smyth of RTÉ 2FM, BBC Radio 1 Dance presenter January Winters and Dublin-based DJ SAZ taking over the decks. Expect the kind of tunes designed for sunny afternoons and the inevitable “just one more dance” extension to your plans.
There’s plenty happening away from the dancefloor, with National Performing Arts School Dublin (NPAS) hosting a children’s disco from 12pm to 3pm in The Factory space. Reformation will then take over from 3pm to 6pm with beginner-friendly Pilates classes for anyone looking to balance the block-party energy with a little movement.
For the younger crowd, there’ll be a dedicated play area, festival face painting, mini-golf and an ice cream van, alongside food and drink options dotted throughout the site. Organisers are advising visitors to come hungry, bring the kids and prepare for them to refuse to leave.
And while Chill at the Mill is firmly focused on having a good time, the setting comes with some serious Dublin history. Bolands Mills has been part of the Docklands landscape for more than 150 years and played a significant role in the area’s social and economic life. During the Easter Rising in 1916, the complex was occupied by rebel forces, adding another chapter to its already fascinating story.
Today, the newly restored site is entering its next era, blending its industrial past with a new role as a destination for culture, community, retail and leisure. With more than 50,000 square feet of landscaped outdoor space and 30,000 square feet of retail and community areas, there’s plenty of room for the neighbourhood to make it its own.
Chill at the Mill feels like the perfect way to do exactly that.
Chill at the Mill takes place at Bolands Mills on Saturday, August 15th, from 12pm to 6pm. Entry is free and all ages are welcome.
Feature Image: Donal Murphy
