2026 Features More Irish, Celtic and American Festivals Than Ever Before
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
LONGS PEAK SCOTTISH-IRISH HIHGLAND FESTIVAL
September 11 – 13
Celebrating 50 Years of Celtic Tradition
The Longs Peak Scottish Irish Highland Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026, marking five decades of honoring Scottish and Irish heritage in Estes Park, Colorado. Featuring Highland Games, Celtic music, dancing, pipe bands, and cultural traditions, the festival has become one of North America’s premier Celtic events.
Alongside the festival, the Estes Park International Tattoo brings together military bands, massed pipes and drums, dancers, and performers from around the world in a spectacular celebration of music, heritage, and friendship.
Join us as we celebrate 50 years of Scottish and Irish culture, tradition, and friendship in Estes Park, Colorado.
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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