Dayton Celtic Festival

Dayton Celtic Festival returns in 2027 July 30-Aug 1

Dayton Celtic Festival

Dayton Celtic Festival returns to Riverscape July 30-Aug 1, 2027.  An anticipated 90,000 people will head downtown for Celtic Fest, and as always, there will be plenty of Irish food, beer, music, culture and live entertainment.

Festival Hours are Friday, 5.30 p.m -11 p.m Saturday, 11.30 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. This festival is RAIN or SHINE!  But don't worry, there will covered seating!

The Celtic Festival, a celebration of Celtic culture, is held annually by United Irish of Dayton, a group promoting Irish heritage in the Dayton area.  

Celtic Fest is continually rated the top festival in Dayton, and it boasts three solid days of non-stop entertainment.  

In addition to the three stages with continuous live entertainment, other festival activities will include 5K/10K run/walk, Parade of Kilts, Celtic Marketplace, Cultural Exhibits & Workshops including traditional Irish Music Sessions, Scottish Highland Dancing and more. Join us early Sunday morning for Celtic Mass.

But it's the music that is the big draw - and Celtic Fest will have several Headliners as well as 20+ Regional Celtic Acts and Local Dance Groups, including Celtic Academy of Irish Dance, Dwyer School of Irish Dance, and McGovern Irish Dance.

Dayton Celtic Festival Headliners

(2026 Headliners listed below - check back Spring 2027 for an update!)

• The global Celtic phenomenon known as Gaelic Storm
• Renowned Celtic rockers The Elders
• Fresh, lively and authentically Celtic: Socks In the Frying Pan
• Columbus‑based Irish powerhouse: The Drowsy Lads
• Traditional, Original & Contemporary Scottish folk music from Davy Holt
• Pittsburgh’s high‑energy Celtic punk rockers: Bastard Bearded Irishmen

OFFICIAL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

Experience the Culture!

The cultural area will include many exhibits to enhance festival goers’ knowledge of Celtic history, language, genealogy, and other cultural areas, including: 

• Returning favorite: Irish Wolfhounds in Legend and Lore 
• Irish music workshops & traditional Irish sessions  
• New workshops on Introduction to Irish bouzouki and Irish banjo
• Scottish Highland Dancing
• Five Points Cloggers, a non-profit, energetic dance group
• Irish Storytelling and History
• And much more!

Photos: Dayton Celtic Fest

Links & Tags

Riverscape MetroPark

Dayton Celtic Festival is taking place at Riverscape MetroPark, which is located at 111 E. Monument Avenue in Dayton. Riverscape MetroPark - Activities for all ages - from concerts to community events to river rentals, to ice-skating and more.

United Irish of Dayton.

United Irish of Dayton - Uniting Irish groups in the greater Dayton area to promote the rich but often invisible historical, religious, and cultural heritage of the Irish people through education, service, charity, and community events.