Celebrating the Centenary Anniversary of the Release of James Joyce’s Ulysses.
Joyce’s Ulysses was first published in its entirety on February 2, 1922, which was also Joyce’s 40th birthday.
Leopold Bloom is the fictional protagonist and hero of the novel. He is the Odysseus figure whose wanderings through Dublin during one 24-hour on June 16, 1904.
This date is now celebrated worldwide as Bloomsday, a literary holiday featuring readings, tours, and traditional Edwardian feasts.
Explore the Dublin schedule and find program details at the Bloomsday Festival Official Site.
Bloomsday and Beyond 2026 in Washington, D.C.
From Dublin to Washington, D.C., Irish stories travel well. This Bloomsday, we celebrate not only James Joyce, but also the wider tradition of Irish writers who have carried Ireland’s literary voice far beyond its shores. Learn more about Bloomsday happenings around the District.
Blind Date with an Irish Novel at Politics and Prose
Fall in love with Irish literature this Bloomsday!
For the second year running, the Embassy is proud to partner with Politics and Prose to sponsor a ‘Blind Date with an Irish Novel,’ as part of the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade’s Global Book Giveaway. Buy one Irish novel in-store and receive a second surprise Irish novel for free to fall in love with.
This promotion is running throughout June (while supplies last!) at all three Politics and Prose locations in Washington, D.C.
Politics and Prose (5015 Connecticut Avenue NW)
Politics and Prose at The Wharf (610 Water St SW)
Politics and Prose at Union Market (1324 4th Street NE)
Ulysses Mini-Marathon Reading at Politics and Prose
On Bloomsday (June 16th) at 1pm, join our friends at Politics and Prose for a mini-marathon reading of James Joyce’s Ulysses at their Connecticut Avenue location. Marathon readings of this modernist masterpiece can go on for days, but P&P’s little version will last just over an hour. Volunteer to read a short prepared portion of the novel as straight or as fulsome as you wish. The emphasis is on having fun, so don’t worry about having to accurately pronounce names or placenames – Politics and Prose staff will provide a helpful guide.
Newcomers to Ulysses are especially welcome. Small spot prizes for all participants! This event is free and open to all, with first come, first serve seating. Learn more at https://politics-prose.com/bloomsday-2026.
Little Free Library Scavenger Hunt
Your next Irish read could be right around the corner. To celebrate Bloomsday and Beyond, we are hiding a selection of Irish books in Little Free Libraries across the D.C. area.
Keep an eye out on your next stroll, you might just find your next great Irish read around the corner!
Bloomsday in New York: A Shout in the Street
The James Joyce Society of New York and Irish American Writers & Artists Inc. present Bloomsday 2025: A Shout in the Street on Saturday, June 14th from 3 to 6pm in Dive 106.
The 5th annual festive reading from James Joyce’s Ulysses, with drink specials, Joyce trivia and special guests. All are welcome to pick their favorite Ulysses passage and read!
Date: Saturday, June 14
Time: 3 – 6 pm
Venue: Dive 106, Amsterdam Ave, New York, New York
Bloomsday in New York: A Shout in the Street
Celebrate the 122nd Bloomsday and the 23rd anniversary of Ulysses NYC with a full day of programming.
The schedule kicks off at noon with Chapter 8 featuring a complimentary glass of burgundy and gorgonzola.
From 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, Colum McCann hosts literary extracts with special guests, followed by Aedín Moloney’s performance of Penelope | Chapter 18.
Enjoy a cocktail hour at 4:30 PM during the reading of Chapter 12. Evening activities include live music by Colin Smith starting at 5:00 PM and concluding with Chapter 15 performances.
Readings by local enthusiasts and actors continue throughout the day.
Date: Tuesday, June 16
Time: 12 pm – late
Venue: Ulysses NYC, 58 Stone Street, New York, New York
The 2026 Bloomsday Festival in Philadelphia
Every June 16, we gather together to read from Joyce’s Ulysses. It’s a beloved and foundational event for this institution, the home of Joyce’s manuscript of a novel that continues to inspire, scandalize, and thrill.
We’re delighted to announce several updates to the festival, inspired by feedback we received from you at last year’s event, with some additional special events. These updates invite more participation and create greater access to the Rosenbach’s collection:
• The Bloomsday public reading will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Delancey Place.
• Reader spots are open to the public again this year!
• We will open the museum and historic house to present guided tours of our galleries and special presentations of collection materials! See the full schedule below.
• After our Delancey Place readings end at 6:00 p.m., we’ll enjoy a special one-woman performance. Molly’s Soliloquy at Sunset begins at 6:00 p.m. and will feature Philadelphia actor Kirsten Quinn!
• Many of our Bloomsday readings, presentations, and performances are FREE to attend— We’ll see you June 16!
Venue: Rosenbach Museum and Library 2008- 2010 Delancey Street, Philadelphia, PA
Bloomsday 2026: Ulysses Meets Sgt. Pepper in San Francisco
Bloomsday 2026 will feature a unique perspective on James Joyce’s classic Ulysses using rock music.
From the creators: “Bloomsday 2026 will feature a unique perspective on James Joyce’s classic Ulysses using rock music and AI (artificial intelligence). Visual images and voices of characters from 1904 Dublin were created and parallels drawn to the Sgt. Pepper album. Ulysses is re-imagined in a unique way such that Ulysses comes alive.”
The Dowling Library at the UICC is proud to host this dynamic look at James Joyce’s classic tale. This is what we mean by “Bloomsday in Music and Prose”.
Light snacks. No-host beverages.
Tickets go on Sale Friday, May 21, 2026 until June 18:
Date: Friday, June 19
Time: Doors at 5 pm, show begins at 6 pm
Venue: United Irish Cultural Center
Tickets: Available until June 18.
- General Admission $30-
- UICC Members $25-
- U12 Free
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