2026 Features More Irish, Celtic and American Festivals Than Ever Before
24th Penn-Mar Irish Festival
June 20
This family-friendly celebration of Irish heritage is returning to the picturesque Pheasant Run Greenhouse & Garden Center in York County, Pennsylvania, for a second year. The entertainment lineup has exciting new additions and returning favorites.
New this year: bagpiping internet sensation Ally the Piper (with her band); Baltimore-based trad band Culra, and Mary-Grace Autumn Lee playing hammered dulcimer. Returning favorites include Barleyjuice, Cas Ceol (new members Catriona Fee & Joanna Clare joining Cushla Srour), Cassie and Maggie, The Diddley Idols, Enda Reilly, Screaming Orphans, and Susquehanna Pipes & Drums. Cassie and Maggie, Enda Reilly and Susquehanna Pipes & Drums, will also present cultural talks.
Plus: Irish dance groups; delicious food (Celtic standards plus crabcakes, crepes, salads, kettle korn, ice cream, and more); a free children’s activity area; and quality vendors offering Irish goods including gifts, clothing, jewelry, music, books, pottery, photography, stained glass, and more. Shamrock plants from the garden center will also be available for purchase.
Some seating is available under tents; lawn chairs and blankets are welcome. Limited space for personal EZ-up tents is available with an additional charge (must be reserved in advance). Please, no pets or outside food and beverages.
Pheasant Run Greenhouse is in southern York County, PA, near I-83 Exit 8. Look for parking signs near the venue.
For discounted advance festival tickets and details, visit PennMarIrishFestival.com. You can also follow updates on social media (#PennMarIrish). Marketing and volunteer opportunities are available.
For more information, email PennMarIrish@gmail.com.
49th Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival
June 26 – 27
From Friday’s Calling of the Clans Event to Extreme Jousting with Knights of Valour to Saturday’s Grande Parade and Twilight Tattoo, this is Northeast Ohio’s most unique festival.
To see a list of 2026 vendors, go to: Ohio Scottish Games & Celtic Festival – 2026 Vendors. We are looking for vendors to participate, email Vendor Coordinator osgvendorcontact@gmail.com if interested.
Returning in 2026 is the very popular Knights of Valour Extreme Jousting Troup, Ohio School of Falconry, Border Collie Demonstration, British Cars, Genealogy, Clan Exhibits, Workshops, Whiskey tasting, and over fifty food and merchandise vendors. New in 2026 will be a glass blowing demonstration.
Highland Games will include highland athletics, haggis throw, pipe bands, highland dancers, harpers & fiddlers. New in 2026 will be the Stones of Strength competition and a 5k Run.
The renaissance period will be well represented in our Renaissance Village by the Barony of the Cleftlands, Cleveland’s Society for Creative Anachronism (SCA), who is dedicated to the research and re-creation of pre-seventeenth century skills, arts, combat, culture, and employing knowledge of history.
Music: The Devil’s Brigade (formerly the American Rogues); Father, Son & Friends; The Prodigals; Jenny & the Weazels; Gary West, and the Andrew McManus Trio. Dance groups include the Leneghan School of Irish Dance, the Brady Campbell School of Irish Dance and the Cleveland Hts. chapter of the Royal Scottish Country Dance Society.
Friday: Gates open @5 PM. The night includes our “Calling of the Clans” torch lighting event at 9:45 PM.
Saturday: Gates open @8 am. with Highland Games; the Grand Parade begins at noon; the Twilight Tattoo at 6:00 PM and will include the massed pipes and drums, as well as performances by harp, fiddle, highland dancers.
The Mission of SACSO is to support and promote the annual Ohio Scottish Games and Ohio Arts School for the cultural, educational, physical and spiritual benefit for those with interest in the traditions of Scotland and other Celtic Nations. For more information: ohioscottishgames.com
Holland Waterfront Celtic Festival & Highland Games
June 26 – 27
Held at the Ottawa County Fairgrounds in Holland, Michigan and sponsored by Guinness, the festival is located just two minutes from the white sand beaches of Lake Michigan, and is dedicated to sharing Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and other Celtic heritages with the community in a fun, spirited, and celebratory way.
The festival opens Friday from 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, with four bands on stage for a 7-hour long, 25 & older “Ceilidh,” featuring music, dance, food, and vendors. Saturday’s all day festival is for all ages, from 9:00 AM to 11:00 PM, with bands Albannach, Mudmen, Crossbow, Brother Crowe, Whorled and ten others; pipe and drum bands; 60 athletes competing in Highland Games; Scottish Clans; Irish & Scottish dance groups; Celtic genealogy assistance; a dozen food trucks/tents; two dozen Irish & Scottish retail vendors; a children’s area; tomahawk throwing; and an on-site Irish Pub!
New for this year is a display of Scottish Highland cattle, or “Coos,” and demonstrations of border collies herding sheep!
Tickets and Information are available at HollandCelticFestival.org or
www.Facebook.com/HollandCelticFestival.
7th BorderLight Theatre Festival
July 8 – 11
BorderLight Theatre Festival returns to the Playhouse Square District July 8–11, 2026, bringing a celebration of international and local performance to downtown Cleveland. With more than 40 shows across 14 stages in seven venues, audiences can enjoy an eclectic mix of theatre, dance, music, and immersive storytelling. Whether you are a longtime fan or a first-time visitor, there is something for everyone.
Program details and ticket information will be available May 6, 2026 at BorderLightCLE.org. Make plans to join us for this beloved summer arts experience!
41st Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival
July 17-19
For more than four decades, this beloved festival has been a cornerstone of Irish cultural preservation in Northeast Ohio, bringing the finest in Irish and Celtic music and traditions to generations of attendees.
Featuring: The High Kings, Ally the Piper, Solas, Derek Warfield & The Young Wolfe Tones, The Elders, The New Barleycorn, The East Coasters, Flanagan Riley Band, The Byrne Brothers, Brother Crowe aka The Kreellers, The Kilroys – accompanied by Máirtin de Cógáin, Marys Lane, Brigid’s Cross, The Portersharks, and The Stepdads of Galway, featuring WKYC reporter Mike Polk.
“As we continue to build on the festival’s legacy, we’re thrilled to bring together such a diverse group of performers,” said Festival Director Phil Parente. “This year’s lineup reflects both the deep traditions of Irish music and the exciting ways it continues to evolve. We’re especially excited to welcome Solas to the festival for the first time. It’s something our audience has been waiting for.”
In addition to world-class musical performances, festival attendees can enjoy traditional Irish dance, bagpipes, cultural exhibits, authentic food and drink, family-friendly activities, and more throughout the weekend. To purchase a ticket or learn more about CICF, visit clevelandirish.org.
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds. FREE Parking.
Friday 5-11, Saturday 1 to 11, Sunday 1-10. Mass will be celebrated at 11:30 a.m. on the 19th.
Please note that the 2026 Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival will be a cashless event.
Celtic Golf Scramble
July 25
The Celtic Gold Scramble is a 501-C-3 presented by Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival for the 96th Highlanders Pipes & Drums Scholarship Fund, which has awarded 28 scholarships to area graduates going on to study music in college.
9 a.m. Shotgun Start; Skins, Mulligans, 50/50 and so much more.
Maplehurst Country Club Lakewood, New York
39th Dublin Irish Fest
July 30 – August 2
Music, culture and dance await at one of the largest Irish Festivals in the world. A dynamic lineup of musicians from across the globe, blending international talent with local artistry. Gaelic Storm (US), Altan (Ireland), The Gardiner Brothers (Ireland & US), Scythian (US), Eileen Ivers & The Brigideens (US), Ally the Piper (US), Howley (Ireland & US), Fanore (Ireland & US), O’Jizo (Japan), The Prodigals (US), Clada (Ireland), Billow Wood (Ireland), Drowsy Lads (from Columbus!), John Whelan All Star Ceili Band (US), The Narrowbacks (US), Sorcha (US), including 17 national and international entertainers, 26 local and regional artists, eight dance schools and seven pipe and drum bands including 5 new acts.
Festival-goers can also explore the richness of Irish culture through savory foods, delicious Irish whiskeys, history re-enactors, hands-on workshops and several athletic demonstrations.
For more information about the Dublin Irish Festival, visit DublinIrishFestival.org and follow the festival on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube.
Lakewood Arts Festival
August 1st
Lakewood Arts Festival closes Detroit Avenue, between Belle to Arthur Avenues, to bring artists of all disciplines together, along with 15,000 collectors and art lovers. The juried festival hosts over 170 regional and national artists and makers displaying paintings, prints, photography, art glass, ceramics, jewelry, sculpture, fiber and more.
EAT ON THE STREET food court in front of the Lakewood Library on Detroit will offer a selection of the region’s best food trucks.
Festival proceeds fund an annual scholarship for Lakewood seniors continuing to art school. The event also funds grants for arts education and programming in the city. Recent awardees include H2O (Help to Others, middle-school students), The Barton Center (senior arts activities), The Beck Center for the Arts (Saturday programs) and Lakewood High School Art, Theater and Photography programs.
Info: lakewoodartsfest.org.
19th Annual Jamestown Regional Celtic Festival and Gathering of the Clans
August 21 -22
Featuring: Tuatha Dea, Emerald Isle, Celtic Creek, Ste-n-Time, Water Horse, The Fiddle Session, Plus:30 Gathering of the Clans, 8 Pipe Bands, 30 Scottish Heavy Athletes, 30 Celtic and Craft Vendors, Great food, Beer & Wine Garden, Scottish and Irish Dancers, Kids Area w Clan Hunt & More.
( am to 9:30 p.m. Mayville Lakesie Park, Mayville, New York. Discounted Tickets available at www.96thhighlanders.com
Chicago Gaelic Park
August 21 -23
Chicago Gaelic Park is excited to welcome fan favorites alongside new artists from Ireland and North America, including: Billow Wood (West of Ireland); Cailíní Lua (Killaloe);George Murphy (Dublin); Jinty (Cork); Drowsy Lads (Ohio); and the fusion of trad and electronic instrumentation of SuperCéilí (Dublin); Derek Warfield and the Young Wolfe Tones; Irish rock of Kilmaine Saints (Pennsylvania), Waxie Dargles (Oklahoma) and One for the Ditch (Chicago). JigJam (Offaly/Tipperary), Chicago’s favorite Irish bluegrass band and Grand Ole Opry regular, made their USA debut at Irish Fest in 2015, and are back for 2026.
Dennis Doyle will bring his harp, songs and stories, and local favorites Declan McShane; Evin O’Riordan; Gerry Haughey; Going West; Jack Kinsella; Katie Sullivan; Kieran Byrne; Liam Durkin; and the Larkin & Moran Brothers; and, the rousing Bagpipes and Drums of the Emerald Society and the Shannon Rovers.
Tickets are available online, but prices will increase as the Fest draws nearer. https://tickets.chicagogaelicpark.com/events/chicagogaelicpark/2104491
26th Michigan Irish Music Festival
September 17 – 20
Featuring Altan, Andy Irvine, Bastard Bearded Irishmen, Belfast Gin, Conklin Ceili Band, Dave Curley & Colin Farrell, Enda Reilly, Mona Shores Fiddlers, Not Your Daideós Ceili featuring Éamonn de Cógáin, On the Lash, Screaming Orphans, Scythian, Seamus Kennedy, Solas, The East Enders, The Gotthard Sisters, The Kreelers, Uneven Ground.
Visit the traditional Wake House, discover Ireland’s county histories, and meet Celtic canines during Sunday’s dog showcase. Watch championship Irish dancers or join in the Saturday Ceili to learn social dancing yourself. Try your hand at the Irish language, traditional instruments, poetry, and song, with plenty of hands-on activities for all ages. Plus: Irish Market, Wee Ones Area, Feis, Sunday Mass,
Tickets/Info/Updates: michiganirish.org. Children 12 & under are free but need a ticket. Held at Heritage Landing in downtown Muskegon, Michigan!
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The Year that Was:
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