Dayton Celtic Festival

Dayton Celtic Festival

Dayton Celtic Festival

Dayton Celtic Festival returns to Riverscape July 25-27, 2025.  An anticipated 90,000 people will head downtown for Celtic Fest, and as always, there will be plenty of Irish food, beer, music, culture and live entertainment.

Festival Hours are Friday, July 25, 5.30 p.m -11 p.m Saturday, July 26, 11.30 a.m. – 11 p.m. Sunday, July 27, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. This festival is RAIN or SHINE!  But don't worry, there will covered seating!

The Celtic Festival, a celebration of Celtic culture, is held annually by United Irish of Dayton, a group promoting Irish heritage in the Dayton area.  

Celtic Fest is continually rated the top festival in Dayton, and it boasts three solid days of non-stop entertainment.  

In addition to the three stages with continuous live entertainment, other festival activities will include 5K/10K run/walk, Parade of Kilts, Celtic Marketplace, Cultural Exhibits & Workshops including traditional Irish Music Sessions, Scottish Highland Dancing and more. Join us early Sunday morning for Celtic Mass.

But it's the music that is the big draw - and Celtic Fest will have several Headliners as well as 20+ Regional Celtic Acts and Local Dance Groups, including Celtic Academy of Irish Dance, Dwyer School of Irish Dance, and McGovern Irish Dance.

Dayton Celtic Festival Headliners

2024 DCF Headliners included:

• Gaelic Storm "Blends of indie-folk and world grooves"

• The Fitzgeralds "Energetic, hilarious, genuine, and heart-warming" 

• JigJam' "The Best in Irish Bluegrass"

• 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"

Check back in the Spring for the 2025 DCF Headliners!

Celtic Fest Schedule of Events

OFFICIAL ENTERTAINMENT SCHEDULE

Experience the Culture!

The cultural area will include many exhibits to enhance festival goers’ knowledge of Celtic history, language, genealogy, and other cultural areas, including: 

• Returning favorite: Irish Wolfhounds in Legend and Lore 
• Irish music workshops & traditional Irish sessions  
• New workshops on Introduction to Irish bouzouki and Irish banjo
• Scottish Highland Dancing
• Five Points Cloggers, a non-profit, energetic dance group
• Irish Storytelling and History
• And much more!

 ACTIVITIES & WORKSHOPS

DIRECTIONS AND PARKING

RiverScape MetroPark is located in Downtown Dayton at 111 E. Monument Avenue between Patterson Boulevard and N. Jefferson Street. Please note that Patterson Boulevard, Monument Avenue, and St. Clair Street will be closed during the United Irish of Dayton Celtic Festival. 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.

Handicapped Parking Locations

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 located at 403 Water Street just off East Monument Ave near Day Air Ballpark (formerly Fifth Third Field).

Shuttle Service

There will be no official shuttle service available, though Dublin Pub will be running a shuttle to the festival grounds. The parking meters on the perimeter of the festival grounds will be designated as handicapped parking.

Photos: Dayton Celtic Fest

Links & Tags

Riverscape MetroPark

Dayton Celtic Festival is taking place at Riverscape MetroPark, which is located at 111 E. Monument Avenue in Dayton. Riverscape MetroPark - Activities for all ages - from concerts to community events to river rentals, to ice-skating and more.

United Irish of Dayton.

United Irish of Dayton - Uniting Irish groups in the greater Dayton area to promote the rich but often invisible historical, religious, and cultural heritage of the Irish people through education, service, charity, and community events.