Wexford Festival Opera is the town's great calling card. Held in autumn, it brings international performers and a knowledgeable audience to a place that is otherwise quiet by Irish city standards.
The main-stage operas are only part of it. Fringe events, lunchtime recitals, talks, and a general buzz around the streets make the festival worthwhile even if you are not a hardened opera person. Accommodation and restaurants fill quickly, so plan early.