With a huge Irish population in our community, Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival is where you can truly experience Ireland’s heartbeat in Cleveland! As one of the last remaining family-run Irish festivals in the country, the heart of this event is a love of Irish heritage, music, and cultural camaraderie. Bringing in the best of Irish music from around the world, everyone is buzzing about this year’s headliners: the ever-popular Gaelic Storm, the force-on-the-fiddle Eileen Ivers, internet sensation Ally the Piper, and folk legend Rory Makem with many more including exciting returns from Scythian (Sith-ian) and Seven Nations! This is truly shaping out to be the best year yet. Surrounded by the sound of bagpipes and Irish dancers, you don’t have to be Irish to enjoy a cold beer, classic Irish food, and the real Irish blessing of friendship! From our family to yours, Slainte and see you at the fest!
39th CLEVELAND IRISH CULTURAL FESTIVAL
When: July 19-21, 2024
Cost: $20 – children under 10 get in free!
Location: Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds – free parking!
BUY TICKETS HERE!
FESTIVAL TIMES:
Friday: 5:00pm to 11:00pm
Saturday: 1:00pm to 11:00pm
Sunday: 1:00pm to 10:00pm (Mass will be celebrated at 11:30am)
CHILDREN’S AREA
The festival has something for everyone — and children are no exception. We’ve organized a host of amusements especially for kids, so be sure to bring them along!
With the purchase of the $10 wristband (or a family pack of wristbands for $35), children under 12 will have free reign in the Children’s Area, which will feature inflatables and a variety of fun and educational crafts for children, and much more!
- Participate in many fun crafts and creations!
- Learn Irish Dance from a specialist in children’s dance instruction.
- See, Listen and join in with Singers, Storytellers, Dancers, and Bagpipers. Your children will be captivated by the amusing narratives and songs performed by some of the festival’s finest entertainers. …You never know who might drop in!
- Meet the friendly animals in our Petting Zoo.
- Enjoy a romp in our Inflatable Bounce Houses.
- Watch as Magician and Balloon Artist, The Magic Man, wows audiences with his sleight of hand and balloon creations.
- Play with and learn about the many breeds of dog native to Ireland. The children’s area will be open from 6pm-8pm on Friday, and from 1pm-8pm on Saturday and Sunday.
These are just a few of the festival’s fun and social activities, designed specifically to engage the minds and imaginations of children.
FESTIVAL HISTORY
Over 40 years ago, Irish immigrant John O’Brien gathered a group of friends and family to preserve and celebrate authentic Irish culture in Cleveland, Ohio. Wanting to steer clear of
green beer and dancing leprechauns, they brought in the best in Irish music, food, shopping, and fun! While it started as a two-day event at the German fairgrounds with 3,000
attendants, the Irish festival eventually moved to the Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds and grew to upwards of 30,000 attendants, all run by volunteers with a passion for their
homeland. Profits go to benefit local and national charities and the heartbeat of Ireland is truly felt in the pulse of this event. Today the festival remains a staple event for many in
Ohio and beyond. Cleveland people are known for the way they embrace culture and community.. It’s on display at Cleveland Irish Cultural Festival and we thank the city for their
unwavering support over the years.
For more information, visit: clevelandirish.org
