Milwaukee Irish Fest Brings Irish Music, Dance and Culture to the Lakefront
Music fans can look forward to some big names, including acclaimed fiddler Eileen Ivers and the Brigideens, Gaelic Storm, Altan, Scythian and more.
Irish Dance Takes the Stage
Irish Dance fans have plenty to look forward to throughout the weekend.
One of the festival highlights is Milwaukee Together: An Irish Dance Showcase, a special collaboration bringing together all eight Milwaukee-area Irish Dance schools.
The showcase features dancers from Beglan Academy of Irish Dance, Bellator Academy of Irish Dance, Cashel Academy of Irish Dance, Glencastle Irish Dancers, Kinsella Academy of Irish Dance, McNamara McCarthy School of Irish Dance, Milwaukee Irish Dance Studio and Trinity Irish Dance Academy.
Several of the schools will also take to the stages for individual performances throughout the festival.
And be sure to watch for Michael and Matthew Gardiner — the Gardiner Brothers. The Galway-raised brothers have built an enormous international following by combining their championship Irish Dance backgrounds with creative, contemporary performances.
More Than Music and Dance
Part of what makes Milwaukee Irish Fest special is how much there is to experience beyond the main stages.
Visitors can explore Irish history and heritage, genealogy, literature and the Irish language; listen to traditional music sessions; or even get out on the floor themselves during céilí and set-dancing activities.
This year, visitors can also watch a sheepdog demonstration, as trained border collies and their handler show how sheep are traditionally worked — bringing a little piece of the Irish countryside to the Milwaukee lakefront.
Add Irish food, shopping, family activities and four days of live entertainment, and it’s easy to make an entire day — or weekend — of Irish Fest.
Whether you have Irish roots, grew up Irish Dancing, love traditional music or simply enjoy discovering Irish culture, Milwaukee Irish Fest offers a little taste of Ireland close to home.
Milwaukee Irish Fest
August 13–16, 2026
Henry Maier Festival Park
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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