THE 10 DAYS in Dublin festival will return to the capital for the second year running next month, following a successful launch event in 2011.

What's more, the arts festival has expanded to incorporate almost 100 events over 26 venues around the city, including a strengthened music programme that will see jazz, indie, classical and world music acts play various locations from July 5th to 14th.

"We felt that last year we had a very strong level of engagement with the theatre and comedy communities, but our link to the music community in the city was a bit weak – so this year, we brought on two music co-ordinators to help us encourage music acts to submit to the festival, and to help us work better with those who did," said festival co-founder Robert Kearns.

Musical highlights include Bouts, Robotnik, Matthew Halpin Trio, Donal Dineen, Spilly Walker, Girl Band, The Cloud Castle Lake Orchestra, Dublin Piano Recital, Patrick Kelleher and His Cold Dead Hands, Trinity Orchestra performing Dark Side of the Moon, Niwel Tsumbu and Tujacques. Like last year, all gigs are €10 or under.

The festival also includes an extensive theatre, comedy, spoken word, visual arts and film programme. 10daysindublin.ie.