North Texas Irish Festival

The North Texas Irish Festival returns to Dallas’s Fair Park March 3-5, bringing with it all the music, dance, and culture that this exciting, family-friendly event in the rich tradition of Irish and Celtic culture.

As one of the largest Irish festivals in the U.S. and the largest cultural celebration in Dallas-Fort Worth, the North Texas Irish Festival is a family-friendly event featuring live music, dancing, Celtic storytelling, chef demonstrations, and more on multiple stages, indoors and outdoors, at Fair Park.

Guests will also enjoy horse shows, sheepherding demonstrations, genealogy research opportunities, animal rescue groups, and for kids, dozens of activities and free arts and crafts. 

Kids
Urchin Street at the North Texas Irish Festival is a special place where kids can find entertainment, education, play, and fun, including crafts, music, dance, storytelling, magic, and mystery. Storytellers, or “Shanachie,” will tell traditional Irish stories in the way that the Irish learned of their history for hundreds of years.

Music
The roots of the North Texas Irish Festival are in its celebration of music. This year, the North Texas Irish Festival will feature performers including national headliners Sliabh Notes, The Logues, Rory Makem, Moors & McCumber, and Celtic Aire, the premier Celtic and folk ensemble of the U.S. Air Force; and more regional performers.

Dance
Irish step dancers perform on a dedicated dance stage and also with Celtic musical performers throughout the festival. You’ll see local dancers from The McLane School of Irish Dance, Maguire Academy of Irish Dance, Inishfree School of Irish Dance-Dallas, McTeggart Irish Dancers of North Texas, and the Shandon-O’Regan Irish Dance Academy. 

Chef Stage
In addition to the food and drinks you’ll find here—beer and whiskey tastings, Shepherd’s pie, Irish stew, fish and chips—you’ll see chefs doing their own modern take on traditional Celtic fare and using traditional ingredients in new ways. And don’t miss special mixology demonstrations on Friday night.

Pets
The North Texas Irish Festival is pet-friendly and not only to dogs but also to rabbits, cats, and even squirrels. Guests may bring leashed pets to the festival. Need a new best pal? Animal rescue groups at the North Texas Irish Festival are happy to introduce you to animals to see if you might have a new “fur-ever” friend.

Fun Run
Returns Saturday, March 4, at 8am. This family-friendly fun run is perfect for runners or walkers of any age or ability, and also for dogs. All registered participants will receive a T-shirt, a “bottle opener” medal, one ticket to the North Texas Irish Festival, and two beers after the run if they are of legal drinking age. This non-timed 5K fun run will benefit Friends of Fair Park and the Southwest Celtic Music Association.

Gate hours
Friday, March 3, 6–11pm
Saturday, March 4, 10:30am–11:30pm
Sunday, March 5, 11:30am–7:30pm

Tickets
Free for leprechauns (those in full ceremonial dress and carrying a pot of gold)
Friday: Free from 6–7pm; $15 after 7pm.
Saturday and Sunday: $25 at the gate for a one-day ticket; $20 discounted single-day tickets can be purchased in advance in Tom Thumb and Albertsons stores.
$45 weekend pass.
Children under 6: free when accompanied by adult family member.
Seniors over 65 or current military members (with valid military ID) receive $5 off all gate prices.
Dogs are allowed in on a short leash.

Find more family fun events every day of the week at dfwchild.com/calendar.