Iowa Irish Fest 2024: Everything You Need to Know

Iowa Irish Fest returns to Downtown Waterloo THIS weekend.

From Friday, August 2nd to Sunday, August 4th, people from all across the globe will be pouring into Eastern Iowa for one of the biggest celebrations of Irish culture in the Midwest.

If you're planning to head out to Waterloo, make sure to snag yourself tickets to the event here. One ticket will get you in for all three days of the fest.

Here is the full rundown of events, classes, and live performances that you can check out this weekend!

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Friday, August 2nd

3:45 - 4:00 pm

• Ceremonial Procession Over the Bridge

4:00 - 4:30 pm

• Festival Opening Ceremony: Nagle/KWWL Stage

4:00 - 6:30 pm

• Street Performer, Celtic Kilroy - Human Statue: Lincoln Park

4:00 - 7:00 pm

• ShamRock N Run 5K Registration/Packet Pick Up: Gate 1
• High Nelly Package Pick Up: Gate 1

4:00 - 8:00 pm

• Military Vehicles on Display for Photos: Heroes Area

4:00 - 10:30 pm

• B&M Dillon's Pub & Cultural Village: Cultural Village

4:30 - 5:00 pm

• Foy Irish Dancers: LSB Stage
• Trinity Irish Dancers w/ Dan Vaughn: Nagle/KWWL Stage

4:30 - 5:15 pm

• Ian Gould - Pop & Rock of Ireland: Elks Ballroom

4:30 - 5:30 pm

• Tim Britton: Trad Stage

4:45 - 5:30 pm

• TBD: Family Area
• Keegan Bus Tours - Colm & Laura Keegan: Elks Meeting Room

5:00 - 5:30 pm

• VIP Introduction - USS Iowa SSN 797: Heroes Area Stage

5:00 - 6:00 pm

• Enda Reilly: Dillon’s Pub Stage

5:00 - 7:00 pm

• The Lads: Jameson’s Stage
• The Dogs of Ireland: Newton’s Park

5:00 - 10:00 pm

• Forge/Blacksmithing Presentation & Shop: Cultural Village
• Guinness Experience: SE-Lower Level

5:15 - 5:45 pm

• Ally the Piper: LSB Stage

5:30 - 6:15 pm

• Davy Holden - Irish Rebel Songs Workshop #1: Elks Ballroom

5:30 - 6:30 pm

• The Bow Tides: Nagle/KWWL Stage

6:00 - 6:30 pm

• Foy School of Irish Dance: Family Area Stage

6:00 - 6:45 pm

• Whiskey Workshop, Five Farms: The Brown Derby
• Travel to Ireland - Ian Gould & Paul Ward: Elks Meeting Room

6:00 - 7:00 pm

• Dublin City Ramblers: Trad Stage

6:15 - 7:15 pm

• Seo Linn: LSB Stage

6:30 - 7:00 pm

• Chicago Police Dept. Pipes & Drums: Heroes Area Stage

6:30 - 7:30 pm

• Sorcha: Dillon’s Pub Stage

6:40 - 6:45 pm

• Raffle Drawing: Nagle/KWWL Stage

6:45 - 7:30 pm

• Bremer County Bucks Rugby - Intro to Rugby: Family Area Stage
• Tim Britton - Uilleann Pipes, Flute & Whistle Workshop: Elks Ballroom

7:00 - 7:45 pm

• Master Class, Keepers Heart Cocktail Seminar: The Brown Derby

7:00 - 8:00 pm

• Blacksmith Competition "Forge Off": Cultural Village

7:00 - 8:15 pm

• Onóir: Nagle/KWWL Stage

7:15 - 8:00 pm

• TBD: Elks Meeting Room

7:30 - 8:30 pm

• Colm & Laura Keegan w/ Brian McGrane: Trad Stage

8:00 - 9:00 pm

• Ian Gould: Dillon’s Pub Stage

8:00 - 9:15 pm

• Screaming Orphans: LSB Stage

8:15 - 8:30 pm

• Iowa Irish Fest, King and Queen Selection: Nagle/KWWL Stage

8:15 - 8:45 pm

• Enda Reilly - Sullivan Brothers “We Stick Together”: Heroes Area Stage

8:30 - 11:30 pm

• Crowfoot Rakes: Jameson’s Stage

8:45 - 9:15 pm

• Ally the Piper: Nagle/KWWL Stage

9:00 - 10:00 pm

• The Byrne Brothers: Trad Stage

9:15 - 10:15 pm

• Trad Music Session - Des Moines Irish Session: Dillon’s Pub Stage

10:00 - 11:15 pm

• Enter the Haggis: LSB Stage

10:00 - 11:30 pm

• Scythian: Nagle/KWWL Stage

Midnight - 1:00 am

• Irish Fest Late Night Presents - The Peelers: LSB Stage

Saturday, August 3rd

7:30 - 9:00 am

• ShamRock N Run 5K Registration/Packet Pick Up: Gate 1

8:00 - 9:00 am

• High Nelly Bike Rally Start: Anton’s Garden

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

• Rugby Tournament: CV Soccer Complex

9:00 - 10:30 am

• ShamRock N Run 5K

9:15 - 10:00 am

• Whiskey Workshop "Paint & Sip": The Brown Derby

10:00 - 11:00 am

• Free Coffee/Donuts for Veterans, Military & 1st Responders: Heroes Area Stage

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

• Highland Games: Lincoln Park

10:00 am - 8:00 pm

• Military Vehicles on Display for Photos: Heroes Area
  • Sub. Veterans of Iowa
  • Sub. Bouyancy Simulator
  • Fire Safety Trailer
  • Pink Heels Fire Truck - Photo Opportunity

10:15 - 11:00 am

• Whiskey Workshop "Charcuterie and Pairings": The Brown Derby

10:30 - 11:00 am

• Cedar Glen Pipes and Drums: Nagle/KWWL Stage

10:30 - 11:15 am

• Colm & Laura Keegan - Beginner/Child Irish Language: Family Area Stage
• The Bow Tides - Arrange Traditional Music, Modern Sound: Elks Ballroom

10:45 - 11:30 am

• Hannah Flowers - Contemporary Harp Tunes: Elks Meeting Room

11:00 am

• Judging of the VIP Table Decorating Contest: Lincoln Park

11:00 am - 10:00 pm

• Forge/Blacksmithing Presentation & Shop: Cultural Village

11:00 am - 10:30 pm

• B&M Dillon's Pub and Cultural Village: Cultural Village

11:00 - 11:30 am

• Sam Singewald - Lego U.S. Navy's History: Heroes Area Stage

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

• The Dogs of Ireland: Family Area

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

• Ian Gould: Trad Stage

11:00 am - 8:00 pm

• Guinness Experience - Classes: SE-Lower Level
  • 12:00 - 1:00 pm
  • 2:00 - 3:00 pm
  • 4:00 - 5:00 pm

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

• Whiskey Master Class “Whistler Irish Whiskey”: The Brown Derby

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

• Dublin City Ramblers: Nagle/KWWL Stage
• Crowfoot Rakes: LSB Stage

11:45 am - 12:15 pm

• Champagne Academy of Irish Dance: Family Area Stage

11:45 am - 12:30 pm

• Screaming Orphans - Cultural Bus Tour of Ireland: Elks Ballroom

12:00 - 12:45 pm

• The Byrne Brothers - 1916 Fiddle Workshop: Elks Meeting Room

12:00 - 2:00 pm

• Street Performer, Celtic Kilroy - Human Statue: Lincoln Park

12:30 - 1:00 pm

• Chicago Police Dept. Pipes & Drums: Nagle/KWWL Stage
• Enda Reilly - Sullivan Brothers Song: Heroes Area Stage

12:30 - 1:30 pm

• Hannah Flowers - Harp: Trad Stage

12:45 - 1:30 pm

• Make A Cold Brew Irish Coffee Workshop - Paul & Ian: Dillon’s Pub Stage
• Tim Britton - Music of the Fairies: Family Area Stage

1:00 - 1:45 pm

• Trinity Irish Dancers & Local Dance Kids: Nagle/KWWL Stage
• The Bow Tides - Irish Fiddle Workshop (BYO Fiddle): Elks Ballroom

1:00 - 2:00 pm

• Wylde Nept: LSB Stage

1:00 - 3:00 pm

• The Greers: Jameson’s Stage

1:15 - 2:00 pm

• “Working Holiday Authorization Program” Workshop: Elks Meeting Room

1:30 - 2:15 pm

• Whiskey Workshop "Shakin’ It w/Cedar Ridge": The Brown Derby

1:45 - 2:15 pm

• Missing Man POW Ceremony: Heroes Area Stage

1:50 - 2:05 pm

• Prince and Princess Selection: Nagle/KWWL Stage

2:00 - 3:00 pm

• Battle of the Iowa Irish Bands Winner: Trad Stage
• Stu Ryan O'Brien: Dillon’s Pub Stage

2:00 - 2:45 pm

• Colm Keegan - Irish Mythology: Family Area Stage
• NE Iowa Weavers & Spinners - Aran Knitting: Cultural Village

2:15 - 3:00 pm

• Whiskey Workshop "Erin Go Brunch, Five Farms": The Brown Derby
• Davy Holden - Irish Rebel Songs Workshop #2: Elks Ballroom
• The Byrne Brothers: Nagle/KWWL Stage
• Blacksmith Competition "Forge Off": Cultural Village

2:30 - 3:00 pm

• Champagne Academy of Irish Dance: LSB Stage

2:30 - 3:15 pm

• Jody Halstead - Solo Travel to Ireland for Women: Elks Meeting Room

3:00 - 3:45 pm

• NE Iowa Weavers & Spinners - Irish Crochet: Cultural Village
• Whiskey Master Class “Whistler Irish Whiskey”: The Brown Derby

3:15 - 3:45 pm

• Chicago Police Dept Pipes and Drums: Heroes Area Stage
• Celtic Kilroy - Human Statue Q&A: Family Area Stage

3:30 - 4:15 pm

• Seo Linn - Irish Language for Beginners: Elks Ballroom

3:30 - 4:30 pm

• Sorcha: LSB Stage
• Tim Britton: Dillon’s Pub Stage
• Enda Reilly: Trad Stage

3:45 - 4:30 pm

• Whiskey Workshop "Women & Whiskey": The Brown Derby
• Sean McGuinness - Tour of Ireland Workshop: Elks Meeting Room
• Colm & Laura Keegan w/ Brian McGrane: Nagle/KWWL Stage

4:30 - 5:15 pm

• Master Class "Five Farms Holladay Distilling": The Brown Derby
• Ian Gould - Beginner Bodhrán (Bodhráns Provided): Family Area Stage

4:45 - 5:30 pm

• Enter the Haggis - Fiddle Workshop (BYO Fiddle): Elks Ballroom

5:00 - 5:15 pm

• Highland Games Trophy Awards: Nagle/KWWL Stage

5:00 - 5:45 pm

• Travel & Tour - The Byrne Brothers Irish Tour: Elks Meeting Room

5:00 - 6:00 pm

• Kellen O'Cullom: Dillon’s Pub Stage
• Blacksmith Competition "Forge Off" Knife Handling Demo: Cultural Village

5:00 - 6:15 pm

• Ballyheigue: Trad Stage
• The Bow Tides: LSB Stage

5:00 - 7:00 pm

• Wylde Nept: Jameson’s Stage
• Street Performer, Celtic Kilroy - Human Statue: Lincoln Park
• The Dogs of Ireland: Newton’s Park

5:30 - 6:30 pm

• Gaelic Athletic Association - Hurling Demo: Cultural Village
• Intro to GAA/Hurling Demonstration: Lincoln Park

5:30 - 6:45 pm

• Seo Linn: Nagle/KWWL Stage
• Kilted Magician: Family Area Stage

6:00 - 6:45 pm

• Tim & Jesse - Explanation of Acc. of Irish Tunes: Elks Ballroom
• Master Class "Keepers Heart Tasting Seminar": The Brown Derby

6:15 - 7:00 pm

• Travel & Tour - Jean Clancy & Ireland w/ Michael: Elks Meeting Room

6:30 - 7:30 pm

• Hannah Flowers - Harp: Dillon’s Pub Stage

6:45 - 7:05 pm

• Directors Message/Rugby Awards: Nagle/KWWL Stage

6:45 - 7:45 pm

• Laura Keegan - Celtic Cello: Trad Stage

7:00 - 8:15 pm

• Onóir: LSB Stage

7:15 - 8:00 pm

• Enter the Haggis - Bagpipe Workshop (BYO Bagpipe): Family Area Stage
• Enda Reilly - Yates Poetry -

7:30 - 8:15 pm

• Make A Cold Brew Irish Coffee Workshop - Paul & Ian: Elks Meeting Room

7:30 - 8:45 pm

• Screaming Orphans: Nagle/KWWL Stage

8:00 - 9:00 pm

• Keith O'Brien: Dillon’s Pub Stage

8:15 - 8:30 pm

• "Best Legs in a Kilt" Contest: LSB Stage

8:30 - 10:00 pm

• Blame Not The Bard: Trad Stage

8:30 - 11:30 pm

• A Rogue Wave: Jameson’s Stage

9:00 - 10:15 pm

• Elephant Sessions: LSB Stage

9:15 - 10:15 pm

• Trad Music Session - Des Moines Irish Session: Dillon’s Pub Stage

9:30 - 11:00 pm

• Enter the Haggis: Nagle/KWWL Stage

11:00 pm - 12:00 am

• The Peelers: LSB Stage

Sunday, August 4th

All Day

• Military Vehicles on Display for Photos: Heroes Area
  • Sub. Veterans of Iowa
  • Sub. Buoyancy Simulator
• Forge/Blacksmithing Presentation & Shop: Cultural Village

7:30 - 9:00 am

• ShamRock N Run 5K Registration/Packet Pick Up: Gate 1

8:00 am

• High Nelly Bike Rally Registration: Anton’s Garden

8:00 - 9:00 am

• High Nelly Bike Rally Start: Anton’s Garden

8:00 am - 5:00 pm

• Rugby Tournament: CV Soccer Complex

9:00 - 10:30 am

• ShamRock N Run 5K

9:00 - 9:45 am

• *Whiskey Workshop “Whiskey, Mimosas & Yoga”: The Brown Derby

9:15 - 10:00 am

• Whiskey Workshop "Paint & Sip": The Brown Derby

9:30 - 11:30 am

• The Greers: Jameson’s Stage

10:00 - 11:00 am

• Mass: Nagle/KWWL Stage
• Free Coffee/Donuts for Veterans, Military & 1st Responders: Heroes Area Stage

10:00 am - 4:00 pm

• Highland Games: Lincoln Park

10:00 am - 8:00 pm

• Military Vehicles on Display for Photos: Heroes Area
  • Sub. Veterans of Iowa
  • Sub. Buoyancy Simulator
  • Fire Safety Trailer
  • Pink Heels Fire Truck - Photo Opportunity

10:00 am Start

• Celtic Cruise Motorcycle Rally: Silver Eagle Harley

10:15 - 11:00 am

• Whiskey Workshop "Charcuterie and Pairings": The Brown Derby

10:30 - 11:00 am

• Cedar Glen Pipes and Drums: Nagle/KWWL Stage

10:30 - 11:15 am

• Colm & Laura Keegan - Beginner/Child Irish Language: Family Area Stage
• The Bow Tides - Arrange Traditional Music, Modern Sound: Elks Ballroom

10:45 - 11:30 am

• Hannah Flowers - Contemporary Harp Tunes: Elks Meeting Room

11:00 am

• Judging of the VIP Table Decorating Contest: Lincoln Park

11:00 am - 10:00 pm

• Forge/Blacksmithing Presentation & Shop: Cultural Village

11:00 am - 10:30 pm

• B&M Dillon's Pub and Cultural Village: Cultural Village

11:00 am - 1:00 pm

• The Dogs of Ireland: Family Area

11:00 am - 12:00 pm

• Enda Reilly: Trad Stage
• Ian Gould: Trad Stage

11:00 am - 8:00 pm

• Guinness Experience - Classes: SE-Lower Level
  • 12:00 - 1:00 pm
  • 2:00 - 3:00 pm
  • 4:00 - 5:00 pm

11:00 - 11:45 am

• Hurling Demonstration: Lincoln Park

11:15 am - 12:00 pm

• Whiskey Master Class “Whistler Irish Whiskey”: The Brown Derby

11:30 am - 12:00 pm

• Trinity Irish Dancers w/ Dan Vaughn: Nagle/KWWL Stage

11:30 am - 12:15 pm

• Ian Gould - Family Crest Workshop: Family Area Stage
• Celtic Kilroy - Rhythm Bones (Limited Instruments Provided): Elks Ballroom

11:30 am - 12:30 pm

• Colm & Laura Keegan w/ Brian McGrane: LSB Stage

11:30 am - 1:00 pm

• Stu Ryan O'Brien - Pub Sing-A-Long: Dillon’s Pub Stage

11:45 am - 12:30 pm

• TBD: Elks Meeting Room

12:00 - 12:30 pm

• Chicago Police Dept. Pipes and Drums: Heroes Area

12:00 - 4:00 pm

• Guinness Experience: SE-Lower Level

12:30 - 1:30 pm

• Hannah Flowers - Harp: Trad Stage

12:30 - 2:00 pm

• Elephant Sessions: Nagle/KWWL Stage

12:45 - 1:30 pm

• Seo Linn - Irish Language and Music: Elks Ballroom

1:00 - 1:30 pm

• McNulty Irish Dancers: LSB Stage

1:00 - 1:45 pm

• Jean Clancy & Ireland w/ Michael - Workshop: Elks Meeting Room
• Dan Vaughn - Penny Whistle for Kids (50 Whistles Available): Family Area Stage

1:00 - 1:45 pm

• *Whiskey Workshop "Charcuterie & Pairings Workshop": The Brown Derby

1:00 - 2:00 pm

• Blacksmith Competition "Forge Off": Cultural Village

1:00 - 2:30 pm

• Street Performer, Celtic Kilroy - Human Statue: Lincoln Park

1:00 - 3:00 pm

• Ballyheigue: Jameson’s Stage

1:30 - 2:30 pm

• Kellen O'Cullom: Dillon’s Pub Stage

2:00 - 2:20 pm

• Best “Mayor’s” Legs in a Kilt Contest: Nagle/KWWL Stage

2:00 - 2:45 pm

• *Whiskey Workshop "Paint & Sip": The Brown Derby
• VIP Recognition: Heroes Area Stage
• Sheep Herding - Mary Bolton & Don Schomberg: Lincoln Park
• Enda Reilly - Rocky Road to Dublin: Elks Ballroom

2:00 - 3:00 pm

• The Byrne Brothers: LSB Stage
• Dublin City Ramblers - Songs & Stories, Meet & Greet: Trad Stage

2:15 - 3:00 pm

• Jody Halstead - How to Plan an Ireland Vacation: Elks Meeting Room

2:15 - 3:15 pm

• Kilted Magician: Family Area Stage

2:45 - 4:15 pm

• Screaming Orphans: Nagle/KWWL Stage

3:00 - 4:00 pm

• Ian Gould: Dillon’s Pub Stage

3:00 - 5:30 pm

• Street Performer, Celtic Kilroy - Human Statue: Lincoln Park

3:15 - 4:00 pm

• Davy Holden - Irish Rebel Songs Workshop #3: Elks Ballroom

3:30 - 4:15 pm

• Rang Gaeilge San CV - Irish Language for Beginners: Elks Meeting Room

3:30 - 4:30 pm

• Blame Not the Bard: Trad Stage

3:30 - 4:45 pm

• Onóir: LSB Stage

3:45 - 4:15 pm

• Iowa Irish Dance Group - McNulty Irish Dance: Family Area Stage

4:15 - 4:45 pm

• Enda Reilly - Sullivan Brothers "We Stick Together": Heroes Area Stage

4:15 - 5:00 pm

• Sheep Herding - Mary Bolton & Don Schomberg: Lincoln Park

4:30 - 5:15 pm

• Byrne Brothers - Intermediate Bodhrán Workshop (BYO Bodhrán): Elks Ballroom

4:45 - 5:30 pm

• Hannah Flowers - Ghost Music: Elks Meeting Room
• Trinity Irish Dancers Workshop - Meet & Greet: Family Area Stage

5:00 - 6:30 pm

• The High Kings: Nagle/KWWL Stage

For more information about the event, make sure to check out the full schedule on the official Iowa Irish Fest website here.

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