Irish Festival Seattle 2026

Experience the Spirit & Culture of Ireland at Irish Festival Seattle 2026

March 14-15 At The Seattle Center

Join us for Irish Festival Seattle 2026, this two day festival at the end Irish Week is the largest celebration of Irish culture in the Pacific Northwest!

Held during St. Patrick’s Day weekend, this family-friendly event brings the music, dance, history, art, food, drink and traditions of Ireland to life.

Enjoy Live Irish music, Irish step dancing, cultural exhibits, genealogy workshops, and engaging activities for all ages. Meet special guests, explore authentic Irish goods, and take part in interactive experiences that celebrate the rich heritage of the Irish in Seattle.

Whether you’re Irish by birth or just Irish at heart, you’re invited to immerse yourself in the warmth and hospitality of Ireland—right here in Seattle!

Festival Line Ups

MAIN STAGE

The Main Stage at Irish Festival Seattle 2026 showcases a mix of traditional Irish music, and Irish dance.

Saturday opens with Carrigaline, followed by performances from Comerford Irish Dance, Haley Prendergast Irish Dancers, Grafton Street Irish Dancers, Carroll-Henderson Irish Dancers, and Cladach Irish Dancers. The Parade Closing Ceremony adds a festive highlight before Home Rulers with Susan Burke round out the day.

Sunday features Cavort and Keltoi bringing lively Irish music, alongside Rowan Fae, West Seattle Irish Dance, Fire and Ice, and Tara Academy. Echo Lake Ceili Band and Set Dancing close the weekend in true celebratory style

BAR STAGE

The Bar Stage in the Armory Loft offers an intimate complement to the Main Stage, blending live music, poetry readings and pub-style fun.

Saturday features The Wild Geese followed by a sing song That Irish Guy, before a special appearance by Nick Kelly of The Fat Lady Sings, bringing his acclaimed songwriting and storytelling to the festival.

On Sunday, the space transforms into a lively gathering spot with the Dusty Strings Open Jam Session, followed by Raising Slaine, and The Morrigans.

The weekend wraps when we crown the Irish Pub Quiz Champions of 2026 hosted by the Seattle Gaels.

FILMS & TALKS

The Loft at the Armory hosts a weekend of films and talks celebrating Irish culture, heritage, and storytelling.

On Saturday, highlights include short films by Irish director Ronan McCloskey, followed by a special talk from the filmmaker himself, offering insight into his work and creative process.

Sunday continues with a strong Galway focus, featuring a range of short documentaries set in and about the city, including A Year ’Til Sunday, chronicling Galway’s 1998 All-Ireland triumph.

The Talks program complements the screenings with sessions on music, genealogy, citizenship, language, and Irish traditions including a wodnerful talk from Irish couple Ellie O’Byrne and Mark Graham on the cyclying journey around the world

Carrigaline Celtic Band

Main Stage: Saturday 12:00

Traditional instruments include Uilleann pipes, bodhrán, fiddle, whistles, cittern, harp, and vocals. Kieran, from Carrigaline in Co. Cork, now lives in Seattle. The band has toured Ireland, performed with The Chieftains, and regularly plays Irish venues in Seattle, Portland, and Vancouver, BC

Cavort

Main Stage Sunday 11:00

Goat, strings, and flutey things power this lively Celtic band! Their songs will lift you from your seat and transport you straight to Ireland.

With spirited tunes and driving instrumentals, CAVORT brings the sound of Ireland to the Pacific Northwest. Their infectious rhythms span generations, carrying forward centuries-old musical traditions with energy and heart.

Keltoi

Main Stage Sunday 3:15

Keltoi’s spirited interpretations of Scottish and Irish dance music and soulful vocal harmonies are innovative, entertaining, and uplifting. Ranging from the fiery to the poignant, Keltoi’s music reflects the passion and experience of its members.

Main Stage

10 of Seattle’s Irish Dance Schools will perform over the two days:

On Saturday:

Comerford Irish Dance Seattle 1:15
Haley Prendergast School of Irish Dance 2:00
Grafton Street Academy of Irish Dance 2:45
Carroll-Henderson School of Irish Dance 3:15
Cladach Dance 4:15
West Seattle Irish Dance 4:30

On Sunday:

Rowan Fae Irish Dance Company 12:30
West Seattle Irish Dance 1:00
Fire and Ice Irish Dance Caompany 1:30
Tara Academy of Irish Dance 2:15

Nick Kelly of The Fat Lady Sings

Bar Stage Saturday 3:00

A treat for all Irish alternative muisc fans of a ceratin age. Nick Kelly, in town to promote his film The Song Cycle, showing at the Emerald City Irish Film Festival, will play a solo set at the Bar Stage. The Fat Lady Sings were a Dublin alternative rock band formed in the 1980s, fronted by Nick Kelly, known for like Arclight and Twist.

That Irish Guy, Raising Slaine & The Morrigans

Bar Stage Saturday 4:00 & Sunday 2:00 & 3:00

Seattle’s own That Irish Guy, Raising Sláine, and The Morrigans bring high-energy Irish music to the Bar Stage—local talent delivering trad tunes, ballads, and pub anthems all weekend long.

3 Short Films By Ronan McCloskey

Film Room Satuday 2-3:30

3 short Irish Language films followed by a Q&A from the visiting director Ronan McCloskey

Sire agus na Chead naisiuin: 2:00

Seorise and the Bear: 3:00

My Name My Story: 3:15

Q & A: 3:30

Charles Byrne The Irish Giant

A Film By Ronan McCloksey

Film Room Sunday 3:00

The story of Charles Byrne the famous Irish Giant and some possible modern-day relatives.

A Year ’til Sunday

Film Room Sunday 2:00

A Year ’Til Sunday follows the Galway squad’s grueling 12-month journey to end a 32 year wait and claim the 1998 All-Ireland Senior Football Championship.

Cycling Around the World

Talks Saturday 3:00

Irish Duo Mark and Ellie are cycling around the world. Get updates from the road as they encotered bears, typhoons, camels drinking each other’s wee, lots of crisps and an appearance in Seattle St Patrick’s Day Parade.

Here Episodes of their Podcast here: https://sites.libsyn.com/596645

Tracing Irish Ancestors from America to Ireland.

Talk By Susan McKee Saturday 4:00 Sunday 2:00

For most Americans of Irish descent, locating Irish ancestors requires first researching family in the U.S. The goal of this research is locating key information needed to cross the Atlantic and continue the search for family in Ireland. This presentation provides a framework for successfully researching Irish ancestors. We will look at building and focusing research skills to work back through the generations in America, while also employing fundamental organization strategies to navigate the wealth of information generated through family research.

Galway Shorts

Film Room Saturday 4:00 Sunday 1:00

As we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Seattle Galway Sister city Assoc. come and watch 1 hour and 11 short documentaries about Galway City and Galway Life. See JFK visit Galway, The staging of Playboy of The Western World on Aran Island in 1984, Father Ted Fest, a tourist guide to Galway in the 1990’s and a live performance from The Saw Doctors.