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Mark your calendars: the 39th Dublin Irish Festival will be at Coffman Park July 31 through August 2, 2026. Approximately two hours away, it’s an easy and rewarding road trip that turns a regular summer weekend into something your kids will still be talking about when school starts. Whether your family has Irish roots or is simply up for a one-of-a-kind experience, this Festival has something for everyone.
An Award-Winning Weekend
This isn’t just any summer celebration. The Dublin Irish Festival ranked No. 3 in the 2026 USA TODAY 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards for Best Cultural Festival — and held the No. 1 spot in 2025. As a nationally recognized celebration of Irish music, dance and culture, this is one event that lives up to the hype.
Start with Pep in Your Step
Ready, set, go! Grown-ups can tackle the Dublin Irish Festival 5K sponsored by IGS Energy on July 30 (before the Festival kicks off), and kids can jump into the action with a 1/4 mile Kids Dash race. There are two age groups, 5 and under and 6 and over. Sign up early, spots will go fast.
Little Ones Will Love It
The Festival is thoughtfully designed with little ones in mind from start to finish. The Wee Folk Area, sponsored by Wendy’s, is a must-stop for younger Festivalgoers, with music, storytelling, crafts and dance instruction. The Pot O’ Gold Playland offers a full day of unlimited play across more than 15 inflatables and activities for ages 2–11. Animal lovers will want to carve out time for the Celtic Canines area, where kids can meet Irish dog breeds up close and learn from top Midwest breeders. The Temple Bar Marketplace is the place to go for face painting and temporary tattoos.
Peace of Mind, Built In
Parent peace of mind is baked in, too. Stop by the Identi-Kid and Safe Space tent to pick up a free wristband for your child displaying their name, age and your phone number — a small but reassuring touch in a big festival environment. And when anyone needs a quiet moment, an indoor, air-conditioned Take-a-Break Space provides sensory activities and a calm retreat for all ages. Throughout the grounds, free water bottle refill stations offer clean and safe drinking water.
Music. Dance. Culture.
Spread across seven stages, the entertainment lineup features 60 acts and more than 800 performers. This year’s headliners include fan favorites Gaelic Storm, Altan, The Gardiner Brothers and Scythian — plus a full roster of national, international and local artists. Eight Irish dance schools bring the magic of step dancing to life, and pipe and drum bands add a pulse you can feel throughout the grounds.
Beyond the stages, hands-on workshops and cultural demonstrations give the whole family a chance to go deeper into Irish history and tradition. Check the schedule on the Dublin Irish Festival app — your all-in-one guide to stages, vendors, maps and personalized schedules so you never miss a performance.
Make It a Weekend
Want to get the most out of the trip? Stay the weekend and save a little green while you’re at it. Book a stay at a participating Dublin hotel and receive two free Dublin Irish Festival tickets for every night you book — a great way to stretch the budget and explore everything the area has to offer.
The best part is that kids 11 and under get in free! Festival tickets and unique packages like the family pack (two adult one-day tickets + two Pot O’ Gold Playland wristbands) are available online at dublinirishfestival.org/tickets. Grab yours and start planning.