Dayton Celtic Festival 2025 in Ohio

Dayton Celtic Festival is an annual free event taking place every July at Dayton's RiverScape MetroPark, Ohio. Presented by the ​United Irish of Dayton, one of the largest Irish festivals of the Midwest attracts about 90,000 attendees. It offers lots of Irish food, great beer, music, art, and live entertainment.

Festival Events

Three days of craic and celebration of Irish, Welsh, and Scottish cultures feature four stages with non-stop live music and dance from local performers as well as bands from abroad. Over 20 musical acts including bands like Gaelic Storm, Scythian, Heron Valley, Socks in the Frying Pan, and We Banjo. Other attractions include whiskey tastings, cultural exhibits, Celtic breakfast, and Mass. One of the main attractions is the Celtic Food Court that offers many authentic dishes. In 2016-2017 the festival was named the Best of Dayton by Dayton Magazine.

The festival offers a shuttle service and a kids' activities area. There is also a Culture area featuring workshops with prominent authors like Cindy Thomson, who researched her Scots-Irish roots, and Cathy Jo Smith, the author of Storyteller & The Irish Wake. The arts and crafts area offers Celtic souvenirs and products from Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

Dayton Celtic Festival Schedule

Friday (July 26, 2024)

On Friday, at the United Irish Main Stage will be JigJam from 6 – 7:20 pm, Socks in the Frying Pan from 7:40 – 9 pm, and Gaelic Storm from 9:30 to 11 pm. WDTN Traditional Stage will host Dogwood Road from 6 – 7 pm, Davy Holt from 7:20 –8:20 pm, The Drowsy Lads from 8:40 – 9:40 pm, and The Fitzgeralds from 10 to 11 pm. At Emerald Isle Stage, you can find McGovern Irish Dance from 6 – 6:30 pm, Celtic Academy of Irish Dance from 7 – 7:30 pm, Dulahan from 8 – 9:15 pm, and Father Son and Friends from 9:45 to 11 pm.

Saturday (July 27, 2024)

The United Irish Main Saturday Stage will host Davy Holt from 12 – 1:10 pm, JigJam from 1:30 – 2:40 pm, The Fitzgeralds from 3 – 4:10 pm, The Drowsy Lads from 4:30 –5:40 pm, Socks in the Frying Pan from 6 – 7:20 pm, JigJam from 7:40 – 9 pm, and Gaelic Storm 9:30 to 1 pm. At the WDTN Traditional Stage will be na Skylark from 12 – 1:20 pm, Roving Rogues from 1:50 – 3:10 pm, Davy Holt from 3:30 – 5 pm, The Fitzgeralds from 5:30 – 7 pm, The Drowsy Lads from 7:30 – 9 pm, Socks in the Frying Pa from 9:30 – 11 pm. The Emerald Isle Stage will hold performances by Jameson’s Folly from 12 – 1 pm, Miami Valley Pipes & Drums from 1:30 – 2 pm, Celtic Academy Adults from 2:15 – 2:45 pm, McGovern Irish Dance from 3:20 – 3:50 pm, Celtic Academy of Irish Dance from 4:10 – 4:40 pm, Dwyer Irish Dance from 5 – 5:30 pm, The Pints from 6 – 7:15 pm, Father Son and Friends from 7:45 – 9 pm, and Dulahan from 9:30 to 10:50 pm.

Sunday (July 28, 2024)

You will find Irish Gaelic Mass at the United Irish Main Stage from 10 – 11:30 am, JigJam from 12 – 1:40 pm, Socks in the Frying Pan from 2:10 – 3:50 pm, and Gaelic Storm from 4:20 – 6 pm. WDTN Traditional Stage will host Kennedy’s Kitchen from 12 – 1:20 pm, Davy Holt from 1:40 – 2:50 pm, The Fitzgeralds from 3:10 – 4:20 pm, The Drowsy Lads from 4:40 – 6 pm. On Sunday, Emerald Isle Stage will be McGovern Irish Dance from 12 – 12:30 pm, Dwyer Irish Dance from 1 –1:30 pm, Celtic Academy of Irish Dance from 2 – 2:30 pm, Dulahan from 3 –4:30 pm, and Father Son and Friends from 4:50 to 6 pm.

Festival Hours

Dayton Celtic Festival will run on Friday from 5:30 to 11 pm, on Saturday from 11:30 am to 11 pm, and on Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm.