Celtic Fest returns to downtown Dayton this weekend

• Gaelic Storm "Blends of indie-folk and world grooves"
• The Fitzgeralds "Energetic, hilarious, genuine, and heart-warming" 
• Doolin' "France’s premier Celtic band"
• Boxing Banjo "High-octane Irish Music" 
• Socks In the Frying Pan "Traditional Melodies with Rhythmic Garnish"
• Davy Holt "Traditional, Original & Contemporary Scottish folk music"
• The Drowsy Lads "The Spirit of Irish Music in the Midwest"

Read more about the headliner bands - check out the full entertainment schedule here.

Regional & Local Performers

Celtic Fest will also feature several regional bands and local dance groups including:

• Dulahan
• Father Son and Friends
• Jameson’s Folly
• Miami Valley Pipes and Drums
• The Rice Brothers
• Celtic Academy of Irish Dance
• Dwyer School of Irish Dance
• McGovern Irish Dance

Read more about the local bands and dance groups

Celtic Marketplace

Featuring over 40 vendors from all the Celtic nations. The Celtic Marketplace will stretch the length of Monument Avenue with everything from stoneware to kilts to jewelry and more. See a list of marketplace vendors

Food Vendors

Featuring 20 food vendors from around the Dayton area and beyond. Everything from Wild Caught Salmon with potato hash, and Irish Whiskey Chops, to snacks, ice cream, and even handmade pretzels. See a list of food vendors

Cultural Activities

The cultural area will include many workshops, activities and exhibits - here are some of the highlights: 

Parade of Kilts - Bagpipers and flag bearers will lead us through the festival grounds in a display of Celtic pride Friday and Saturday 6:30 pm 

Come pet the Irish Wolfhounds in the Culture area - For millennia, these amazing dogs were found only in Ireland.  Find the Cú & Craic Irish Wolfhounds of Ohio in the culture area on Saturday and Sunday

Traditional Irish "sessions" -  Experience an authentic Irish session that will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired - The Riley School of Irish Music will be jamming nearly all day Saturday and Sunday

Scottish Highland Dancing - Join the St. Andrew’s society of Dayton- Scottish Highland Dancers for interactive Ceilidh dancing and a demonstration and interactive highland dancing Saturday 5:00-5:50pm

Celtic Mass - presented in Gaelic and English on Sunday at 10:00 am

Several workshops are scheduled, including Introduction to Irish bouzouki, Tales of the Irish Heart, The Potato Famine, The Sport of Hurling, Bagpipes, Irish Symbolism and much more! 

Check out all the workshops and activities here

How to go to Dayton Celtic Festival

Cost and Admission: Celtic Fest is FREE to attend!

Festival hours: Friday, July 28, 5.30 p.m -11 p.m, Saturday, July 29, 11.30 a.m. – 11 p.m., and Sunday, July 30, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.

Location: Celtic Fest is held at RiverScape MetroPark in Downtown Dayton (111 E. Monument Avenue between Patterson Boulevard and N. Jefferson Street). 

Parking: The parking garage on Main Street (110 N Main Street) and the Water Street Parking Garage (403 Water Street) will be open. Other parking options downtown can be found at the Downtown Dayton Partnership. The parking meters on the perimeter of the festival grounds will be designated as handicapped parking. Additional Handicap parking is available in the Water Street Parking Garage (403 Water Street).

Shuttle Service: There will be no official shuttle service available, though Dublin Pub will be running a shuttle to the festival grounds.

Festival Map