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The Celtic Fest is coming to the RiverScape MetroPark in downtown Dayton, Ohio. Begun in 2002, the fest is celebrated on the last weekend in July. This year that makes it July 25, 26 and 27, 2025.
Festival Hours
- Friday, July 25 – 5:30 pm to 11 pm
- Saturday, July 26 – 11:30 am to 11 pm
- Sunday, July 27 – 9 am to 6 pm
Admission is free!
The term Celtic generally refers to the languages and cultures of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, the Isle of Man, Cornwall and Brittany, also called the Celtic nations. These are the regions where Celtic languages are still taught and spoken, to some extent.
The United Irish of Dayton work to provide the rich historical and cultural heritage of the Irish through service, charity and community events. There will be 500 volunteers at this year’s Celtic Fest and they are expecting more than 90,000 attendees.
Immerse yourself in the sights, tastes and sounds of Celtic heritage. See why people return to this fest year after year.
Entertainment
There will be entertainment throughout the Celtic Fest. Three stages will be rocking with performers who include
- Gaelic Storm
- Socks in the Frying Pan
- Davy Holt
- The Drowsy Lads
- Celtic Academy of Irish Dance
- McGovern Irish Dance
- Dwyer School of Irish Dance
Other Festivities
The Fest will have a 5K/10K Run/Walk which will start and finish on the Great Miami River Recreation Trail near RiverScape MetroPark. Runners and walkers of all ages can enter the race. There will be refreshments at the end. Prizes will be given to the top three in each age group plus the overall Female and Male winners.
One of the highlights of the Fest is the Celtic Food Court. Vendors offer many authentic Irish dishes. This will be your opportunity to sample delicious Irish treats.
The Riley School of Irish Music is inviting Irish musicians of all skill levels to join in on an Irish music session. Bring your own instrument or borrow one of theirs.
Cultural Exhibits, Workshops & Demonstrations
- Dayton Area Rugby Club (DARC)
- Cu & Craic Irish Wolfhounds
- Five Rivers Youth Rugby Foundation
- The History & Sport of Hurling with Greg Bebbington
- Introduction to Irish Music
- Irish Piping Workshop
- A Deeper Look At the Legends of St. Brigid
- Clogging & The Irish Influence on American Appalachian Culture
- Riley School of Irish Music Preserving the Cultural Heritage of Irish Music
- Irish Whistle Workshop
- Introduction to Irish Language
- Irish Music Workshop with Shane Hayes (Socks in the Frying Pan)
- Introduction to the Irish Bouzouki
- Dayton Scottish Highland Dancers
- The Banjo in Irish Music
Parade Of Kilts
Wear your kilt and show your Celtic pride! On Friday and Saturday evenings at 6:30 pm and at 11:30 am on Sunday, there will be Parades of Kilts. Don’t have a kilt? Check out these kilts for women and men.
On Sunday at 10 am at the United Irish of Dayton Stage in the Five Rivers MetroParks Pavilion, Mass will be presented in Gaelic and English. Irish dancers and pipers will be present.
Irish Food
If you liked the Irish food at the Celtic Fest and want to learn more about Irish cooking, try these cookbooks. And you can use our links to see how much money you can save on them.
- The Complete Irish Pub Cookbook
- Our Irish Grannies Comforting & Delicious Cooking From The Old Country by Eoin Purcell
- Irish Traditional Cooking: Over 300 Recipes by Darina Allen
Or you can enjoy Irish cuisine at the best Irish restaurants in Dayton as chosen by the users of TripAdvisor.
- Dublin Pub
- The Pub
If you love Irish food but can’t get to these restaurants one night, you can get food from the Pub delivered by DoorDash. Check out their menu.
Dayton Hotels
If you’d like to visit Dayton, Ohio, for the Celtic Fest, you should consider the following hotels. Currently there are hotels with discounted rates. Here are some hotels you can book for under $100 a night. The price you see includes taxes and fees.
Here is the list of hotels with their prices in bullet points:
- Budget Inn Troy: $60
- Suburban Studios Fairborn Dayton: $61
- Knights Inn Dayton at Poe Ave.: $67
- Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham Dayton North: $70
- Quality Inn Dayton: $73
- Wright Patterson Inn: $78
- Red Roof Inn Dayton South – Miamisburg: $80
- Studio 6 Suites Springfield, OH: $80
- Baymont by Wyndham Dayton North: $81
- Red Roof Inn Dayton North Airport: $82
- Studio 6 Suites Dayton Oh – Edgewood: $82
- Studio 6 Miamisburg, OH – Dayton: $83
- Baymont by Wyndham Piqua: $84
- Super 8 by Wyndham Vandalia/Dayton International Airport: $84
- New Budget Inn: $85
- Red Roof Inn Dayton – Fairborn/Nutter Center: $85
- Econo Lodge Franklin: $86
- Red Roof Inn Dayton – Moraine/U of Dayton: $89
- Super 8 by Wyndham Miamisburg Dayton Area OH: $92
- Quality Inn Fairborn: $92
- Hawthorne Extended Stay by Wyndham Dayton: $94
- The Golden Inn: $96
- Wingate by Wyndham Dayton North: $96
- Quality Inn Dayton Airport: $97