Iowa Irish Fest is dedicated to celebrating Irish culture in Iowa and takes place in the Lincoln Park area of downtown Waterloo.

Schedule of Events

August 1, 2025

3:45 - 4 pm - Ceremonial Procession - Over the Bridge Nagle/KWWL Stage
4 - 4:30 pm - Festival Opening Ceremony Nagle/KWWL Stage
4 - 7 pm - ShamRock N' Run 5K Reg./Packet Pick Up Gate 1
4 - 7 pm - High Nelly Packet Pick Up Gate 1
4 - 7 pm - Highland Games, Demonstrations/Practice Lincoln Park
4 - 10:30 pm - B&M Dillon's Pub and Cultural Village Lincoln Park
4 - 11 pm - Whiskey Snug Serving Hours Lincoln Park
4:30 - 5 pm - Trinity Irish Dancers Nagle/KWWL Stage
4:30 - 5:15 pm - Kait Meeker - Ceili Dance Class for Everyone Family Area Stage
4:30 - 5:30 pm - Ian Gould & Lukas Jaeger Trad Stage
4:30 - 7 pm - Street Performer, Celtic Kilroy - Human Statue Lincoln Park
4:45 - 5:15 pm - Foy Irish Dancers LSB Stage
5 - 6 pm - Metropolitan Chorale, Cedar Valley Choir Dillon's Pub Stage
5 - 7 pm - Dogs of Ireland Newton's Park
5 - 10 pm - Forge/Blacksmithing Presentation & Shop Cultural Village
5 - 10 pm - Guinness Experience - Lower Level of SE Screaming Eagle
5:15 - 6 pm - The Elders - The Elders Sessions Elks Meeting Room
5:30 - 6:15 pm - Colm Keegan - Irish Language for Beginners Family Area Stage
5:30 - 6:45 pm - The Byrne Brothers Nagle/KWWL Stage
5:30 - 7 pm - The Greers Bootlegger's Stage
5:40 - 6:25 pm - George Casey - Comedian Elks Ballroom
5:45 - 7 pm - Doolin' LSB Stage
6 - 6:45 pm - Whiskey Wksp.-In Good Spirits-Holladay Distillery* The Brown Derby
6 - 7 pm - Sorcha Trad Stage
6:15 - 7 pm - Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps-Learn the Basics of Upright Bass and Upright Bass in Irish Music** Elks Meeting Room
6:30 - 7:30 pm - Enda Reilly Dillon's Pub Stage
6:40 - 7:25 pm - Davy Holden - Irish-American History Pt. 1 Elks Ballroom
6:45 - 7:15 pm - Foy School of Irish Dance Family Area Stage
7 - 7:45 pm - Whiskey Wksp - Keepers Heart - Intro Whiskey Sensory Class The Brown Derby
7 - 8 pm - Blacksmith Competition - Forge Off Cultural Village
7:15 - 8 pm - Jody Halsted - T&T - Solo Travel for Women Elks Meeting Room
7:15 - 8:45 pm - The Elders Nagle/KWWL Stage
7:30 - 8:15 pm - Bremer County Bucks Rugby - Intro to Rugby Family Area Stage
7:30 - 8:30 pm - Colm & Laura Keegan Trad Stage
7:30 - 8:45 pm - Screaming Orphans LSB Stage
7:40 - 8:25 pm - Seo Linn - Irish Trad. Songs as Gaeilge & in English Elks Ballroom
8 - 8:45 pm - Comedian George Casey - Guinness Experience Screaming Eagle
8 - 9 pm - Kellen O'Cullom Dillon's Pub Stage
8:45 - 9 pm - Iowa Irish Fest, King and Queen Selection Nagle/KWWL Stage
9 - 10 pm - Michael Darcy and the Atlantic Tramps Trad Stage
9:15 - 10:15 pm - Trad Music Session -Des Moines Irish Session Dillon's Pub Stage
9:30 - 11 pm - Seo Linn LSB Stage
9:30 - 11 pm - Skerryvore Nagle/KWWL Stage

August 2, 2025

7:30 - 9 am - ShamRock N' Run 5k Reg./Packet Pick Up Gate 1
8 am - Reg. 9 Start High Nelly Bike Rally Anton's Garden
8 am - 5 pm - Rugby Tournament, Shuttle Available CV Soccer Complex
8:30 - 9:30 am Whiskey Wksp. - Paint & Sip - Brian Sink * The Brown Derby
9 - 11 am ShamRock N' Run 5K Gate 1
10 - 10:45 am Whiskey Wksp.-Crafted Cocktails-Five Farms* The Brown Derby
10 am - 4 pm - Highland Games Lincoln Park
10:30 - 11 am Cedar Glen Pipes and Drums Nagle/KWWL Stage
10:30 - 11:15 am Ian Gould -Beginner Bodhrán -Bodhráns Provided Family Area Stage
10:30 - 11:15 am Seo Linn - Irish Language for Beginners Elks Ballroom
10:45 - 11:30 am The Elders - The GOAT Tour & String Break Cruise Elks Meeting Room
10:45 - 11:45 am Wylde Nept LSB Stage
11 am Judging of the VIP Table Decorating Contest Lincoln Park
11 - 11:45 am Whiskey Wksp.-Crafted Cocktails-Five Farms The Brown Derby
11 - 11:45 am NE Iowa Weavers & Spinners - Learn To Crochet - Beginner Level Cultural Village
11 am - 12 pm - The Greers Dillon's Pub Stage
11 am - 12 pm - A Bridge Between Trad Stage
11 am - 1 pm - Dogs of Ireland Newton's Park
11 am - 8 pm - Guinness Experience - Lower Level of SE Screaming Eagle
11 am - 10 pm - Forge/Blacksmithing Presentation & Shop Cultural Village
11 am - 10:30 pm - B&M Dillon's Pub and Cultural Village Cultural Village
11 am - 11 pm - Whiskey Snug Serving Hours Lincoln Park
11:30 am - 12:15 pm - Kait Meeker - Ceili Dance Class for Everyone Elks Ballroom
11:30 am - 12:30 pm - Bernadette Morris Nagle/KWWL Stage
11:45 am - 12:30 pm - Doolin' - Bodhrán Drum Demonstration Family Area Stage
11:45 am - 12:30 pm - Screaming Orphans - Travel & Tour Wksp. Elks Meeting Room
12 - 12:45 pm - Whiskey Wksp. - Shakin' It w/Cedar Ridge* The Brown Derby
12 - 12:45 pm - NE Iowa Weavers & Spinners - Learn To Irish Crochet - Intermediate Cultural Village
12 - 1 pm - Guinness Experience Class- Lower Level of SE Screaming Eagle
12 - 2:30 pm - St. Performer, Celtic Kilroy - Human Statue Lincoln Park
12:15 - 1:15 pm - Sorcha LSB Stage
12:30 - 1:15 pm - The Elders - The Elders Sessions Elks Ballroom
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Kellen O'Cullom Dillon's Pub Stage
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Hannah Flowers - Harp Trad Stage
1 - 1:45 pm - Trinity Irish Dancers & Local Dance Kids Nagle/KWWL Stage
1 - 1:45 pm - Ian Gould & Lukas Jaeger - Children's Show Family Area Stage
1 - 1:45 pm - Doolin' - Guitar Acc. in Irish Trad. Music Elks Meeting Room
1 - 1:45 pm - Whiskey Master Class - Influence of Casks from Around the World - Whistler Whiskey* The Brown Derby
1 - 3 pm - Ballyheigue Bootlegger's Stage
1 - 4 pm - Speakeasy Event - B&M Dillon's Pub Cultural Village
1:30 - 2:15 pm - Rang Gaeilge San CV - Irish Language Beginners Elks Ballroom
1:45 - 2:15 pm - Champagne Academy of Irish Dance LSB Stage
1:50 - 2:05 pm - Prince and Princess Selection Nagle/KWWL Stage 2 - 2:45 pm - Whiskey Master Class - Influence of Casks from Around the World - Whistler Whiskey* The Brown Derby
2 - 2:45 pm - Marie McCormack - Fiddle Wksp. Intermediate Elks Meeting Room
2 - 3 pm - Guinness Experience Class - Lower Level of SE Screaming Eagle
2 - 3 pm - Enda Reilly Trad Stage
2 - 3 pm - Keith O'Brien Dillon's Pub Stage
2:15 - 3 pm - Colm Keegan - Irish Mythology Family Area Stage

August 3, 2025

10 - 11 am Mass Nagle/KWWL Stage
10 am Start Celtic Cruise Motorcycle Rally Silver Eagle Harley
11 am - 12 pm - Aoife Scott LSB Stage
11 am - 12 pm - Hannah Flowers - Harp Trad Stage
11 am - 12:30 pm - Stu Ryan O'Brien - Pub Sing-a-Long Dillon's Pub Stage
11 am - 12:30 pm - Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Hurling Demo. Lincoln Park
11 am - 2 pm - Dogs of Ireland Newton's Park
11 am - 4:30 pm - B&M Dillon's Pub and Cultural Village Cultural Village
11 am - 5 pm - Forge/Blacksmithing Presentation & Shop Cultural Village
11:15 am - 5 pm - Whiskey Snug Serving Hours Lincoln Park
11:30 - 12 pm - Trinity Irish Dancers Nagle/KWWL Stage
11:30am- 12:15pm - Celtic Kilroy - Rhythm Bones Workshop Elks Ballroom
11:30 am - 1 pm - The Greers Bootlegger's Stage
11:45am -12:30pm - Bernadette Morris - Singing in Irish/As Gaeilge Family Area Stage
11:45am -12:30pm - The Byrne Brothers - T&T - Irish Tour Elks Meeting Room
12 - 12:45 pm - NE Iowa Weavers & Spinners - Learn To Irish Crochet - Intermediate Level Cultural Village
12 - 4 pm - Guinness Experience - Lower Level of SE Screaming Eagle
12:15 - 1 pm - Comedian George Casey - Guinness Experience Screaming Eagle
12:30 - 1 pm - McNulty Irish Dancers LSB Stage
12:30 - 1:15 pm - On the Lash - Ireland, Scotland and Beyond: Celtic
Styles and Influence Across the Globe Elks Ballroom
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Colm & Laura Keegan Nagle/KWWL Stage
12:30 - 1:30 pm - Blame Not The Bard Trad Stage
12:45 - 1:30 pm - Ian Gould - Family Crest Workshop Family Area Stage
12:45 - 1:30 pm - The Byrne Brothers - Intermediate Bodhrán Wksp** Elks Meeting Room
1 - 2 pm - Blacksmith Competition "Forge Off" Cultural Village
1 - 2 pm - Enda Reilly Dillon's Pub Stage
1:30 - 2 pm - Sheep Herding - Mary Bolton & Don Schomberg Lincoln Park
1:30 - 2:15 pm - Davy Holden - History of Irish Language Elks Ballroom
1:30 - 2:30 pm - Michael Darcy and The Atlantic Tramps LSB Stage
1:45 - 2:30 pm - Doolin' - Tin Whistle Workshop ** Family Area Stage
1:45 - 2:30 pm - Jody Halsted - T&T - Travel in the Off Season! Elks Meeting Room
2 - 2:45 pm - NE Iowa Weavers & Spinners - Learn To Aran Knit - Intermediate Level Cultural Village
2 - 3 pm - Bernadette Morris Trad Stage
2 - 3:15 pm - Screaming Orphans Nagle/KWWL Stage
2 - 4 pm - Stu Ryan O'Brien Bootlegger's Stage
2:30 - 3:15 pm - George Casey - Comedian Elks Ballroom
2:30 - 3:30 pm - Ian Gould & Lukas Jaeger Dillon's Pub Stage
2:45 - 3:15 pm - McNulty Irish Dancers Family Area Stage
2:45 - 3:30 pm - Aoife Scott - Ireland and the Wild Atlantic Way Elks Meeting Room
3 - 4 pm - The Byrne Brothers LSB Stage
3:15 - 3:45 pm - Sheep Herding - Mary Bolton & Don Schomberg Lincoln Park
3:30 - 4:15 pm - Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps - Tenor Banjo Wksp.- All-Ireland Champ. John Murphy** Elks Ballroom
3:30 - 4:15 pm - Kilted Magician Family Area Stage
3:30 - 4:30 pm - On The Lash Trad Stage
3:45 - 4:30 pm - Enda Reilly - Unveiling Irish Language Songs Dillon's Pub Stage
3:45 - 4:30 pm - Colm Keegan T&T, Keegan Bus Tours Ireland/Scotland Elks Meeting Room
3:45 - 5 pm - Doolin' Nagle/KWWL Stage
5 pm - Scattering Nagle/KWWL Stage
2:15 - 3:15 pm - Blacksmith Competition - Forge Off Cultural Village
2:15 - 3:15 pm - Michael Darcy and The Atlantic Tramps Nagle/KWWL Stage
2:30 - 3:15 pm - NE IA Weavers & Spinners - Learn To Knit - Beginner Cultural Village
2:45 - 3:30 pm - On the Lash - Traditional Form and Technique in Modern Songwriting Elks Ballroom
2:45 - 3:45 pm - Blame Not the Bard LSB Stage
3 - 3:45 pm - Ian Gould/G&W Irish Tours - T&T - Let Us Take You Home to Ireland Elks Meeting Room
3:15 - 4 pm - Celtic Kilroy- Q&A w/Celtic Kilroy, The Human Statue Family Area Stage
3:30 - 4:15 pm - NE IA Weavers & Spinners - Learn To Aran Knit - Intermediate Cultural Village
3:30 - 4:30 pm - Whiskey Wksp. - Paint & Sip - Brian Sink* The Brown Derby
3:30 - 4:30 pm - Marita May O'Connell & The Lads From County Linn Trad Stage
3:30 - 4:30 pm - Stu Ryan O'Brien Dillon's Pub Stage
3:45 - 4:30 pm - George Casey - Comedian Elks Ballroom
3:45 - 5 pm - Aoife Scott Nagle/KWWL Stage
4 - 4:45 pm - Jody Halsted-T&T-Multi Generational Travel Planning Elks Meeting Room
4 - 5 pm - Guinness Experience Class - Lower Level of SE Screaming Eagle
4:15 - 4:45 pm - Champagne Academy of Irish Dance Family Area Stage
4:15 - 5:30 pm - Colm & Laura Keegan LSB Stage
4:45 - 5:30 pm - The Byrne Brothers - Ceili Dance Workshop Elks Ballroom
5 - 5:15 pm - Highland Games Trophy Awards Nagle/KWWL Stage
5 - 5:45 pm - Whiskey Master Class-Spirit of Two NationsKeeper's Heart* The Brown Derby
5 - 5:45 pm - Michael Darcy & The Atlantic Tramps-Fiddle Wksp** Elks Meeting Room
5 - 6 pm - Blacksmith Comp.-Forge Off-Knife Handling Demo. Cultural Village
5 - 6 pm - Hannah Flowers - Harp Dillon's Pub Stage
5 - 6:15 pm - The Crowfoot Rakes Trad Stage
5 - 6:30 pm - Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA) Hurling Demo. Lincoln Park
5 - 7 pm - St. Performer, Celtic Kilroy - Human Statue Lincoln Park
5 - 7 pm - Dogs of Ireland Newton's Park
5 - 7 pm - Jessey Adams Bootlegger's Stage
5:15 - 6 pm - Kilted Magician Family Area Stage
5:30 - 6:45 pm - Seo Linn Nagle/KWWL Stage
6 - 6:45 pm - Davy Holden - Irish-American History Pt. 2 Elks Ballroom
6 - 7:15 pm - On The Lash LSB Stage
6:15 - 7 pm - Aoife Scott - Dublin Songs and Stories Elks Meeting Room
6:30 - 7:15 pm - Enda Reilly - Songs & Stories of Irish Folklore Family Area Stage
6:30 - 7:30 pm - A Bridge Between Dillon's Pub Stage
6:45 - 7:05 pm - Director's Message/Rugby Awards Nagle/KWWL Stage
6:45 - 8 pm - Ian Gould & Lukas Jaeger Trad Stage
7 - 7:45 pm - George Casey - Comedian Elks Ballroom
7:30 - 8:15 pm - Trinity Irish Dancers - Meet & Greet Family Area Stage
7:30 - 8:45 pm - Screaming Orphans Nagle/KWWL Stage
7:45 - 9 pm - The Elders LSB Stage
8 - 9 pm - Marita May O'Connell & The Lads From County Linn Dillon's Pub Stage
8:30 - 10 pm - Ballyheigue Trad Stage
8:30 - 11:30 pm - The Crowfoot Rakes Screaming Eagle
9:15 - 10:15 pm - Trad Music Session - Des Moines Irish Session Dillon's Pub Stage
9:30 - 11 pm - Doolin' Nagle/KWWL Stage
9:45 - 11 pm - The Byrne Brothers - Dance Party LSB Stage
3:45 - 4 pm - Ceremonial Procession - Over the Bridge Nagle/KWWL Stage
4 - 4:30 pm - Festival Opening Ceremony Nagle/KWWL Stage
4 - 7 pm - ShamRock N' Run 5K Reg./Packet Pick Up Gate 1
4 - 7 pm - High Nelly Packet Pick Up Gate 1
4 - 7 pm - Highland Games, Demonstrations/Practice Lincoln Park
4 - 10:30 pm - B&M Dillon's Pub and Cultural Village Lincoln Park
4 - 11 pm - Whiskey Snug Serving Hours Lincoln Park
4:30 - 5 pm - Trinity Irish Dancers Nagle/KWWL Stage
4:30 - 5:15 pm - Kait Meeker - Ceili Dance Class for Everyone Family Area Stage
4:30 - 5:30 pm - Ian Gould & Lukas Jaeger Trad Stage
4:30 - 7 pm - Street Performer, Celtic Kilroy - Human Statue Lincoln Park
4:45 - 5:15 pm - Foy Irish Dancers LSB Stage
5 - 6 pm - Metropolitan Chorale, Cedar Valley Choir Dillon's Pub Stage
5 - 7 pm - Dogs of Ireland Newton's Park
5 - 10 pm - Forge/Blacksmithing Presentation & Shop Cultural Vill

Date:
August 1-3, 2025

Location:
Lincoln Park area of downtown Waterloo IA

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