Family

Children's Area
Just past the rainbow and castle are fun activities, such as the Lili-Putt mini golf, take-and-make Irish crafts and a brand new playground! The take-and-make Irish craft toolkits will be available throughout the weekend to grab and either make at nearby picnic tables or to bring home with you. Explore the new Northwestern Mutual playground and don't miss all of the family-friendly entertainment at the newly renovated children's stage, the Cedar Crest Children's Stage, which features everything from musical and dance performances to puppetry and more! The John Byrne family entertainment stage returns this year with puppetry and Irish storytelling!

This year's family entertainment features Wayne Francis, the Puppeteer, Scythian, Acme Fiddling Company, Fox and Branch, Irish dance performances and more. The schedule for the Children's Stage will be available on the schedule page of the website once it's available.

Children's Red Hair & Freckles Contests
If you are of the age 0 to 12 years old, have freckles and/or red hair, join the fun! Each winner receives a trophy or medal and is invited to be a part of the pop-up festival parade! Sign-up will be available before the contest right in front of the Cedar Crest Children's Stage, located in the Children's Area. Schedule coming soon. 

Family Passport
The family passport is a fun way for families to explore Milwaukee Irish Fest while keeping the whole family entertained. Families collect stamps for their Pirate Paddy Passports at stops throughout the festival grounds, while making crafts and gathering prizes at each stop. Some of the areas families will visit while on their quest are the Cultural Area, Lakefront Brewery Stage, Celtic Canines and more. Sponsored by Catholic Financial Life.

Parades
This year parades will be spontaneous at Irish Fest, on Saturday and Sunday of the festival. Think of it like a flash mob, but parade style! Each parade is sure to catch your eyes, ears and imagination, so keep an eye out for some fairies, pirates and more!

Leprechaun Village
Bring your little ones to visit the Leprechaun Village. They can search for gold and even join a special “Leprechaun Kids Club” for fun prizes.  The Leprechaun Village contains a bank vault, pub, performance stage, workshop and many other tiny structures. Not only is the display fun to look at, it also contains interesting educational facts about Leprechauns. Open Friday from festival open until 7:30pm, Saturday from festival open until 7:30pm, and Sunday from festival open until 7:00pm.

Greenwish Village
Greenwish Village is always a green place at Irish Fest. Come pedal, aim, create, crush and race all in the spirit of learning how to keep our planet green. Play games like Plenko, Mini-Golf, Connect Four and Slot-Car racing. The whole family will enjoy the learning mixed with playing games and creating fun arts and crafts objects.

Milwaukee Irish Fest's Celtic Canine Area is truly an emerald in the pot of gold. This unique area is unmatched by any other festival. Here, you will have the chance to see and pet some of Ireland's most popular dog breeds, meet and talk with some of the Midwest's top breeders, and learn about grooming, general care and training.

Learn about all nine of the Irish breeds - Irish Wolfhounds, Irish Terriers, Irish Red Setters, Irish Red and White Setters, Soft-Coated Wheaten Terriers, Irish Water Spaniels, Kerry Blue Terriers, and Glen of Imaal Terriers - in our display area that features more than 250 photos, prints and descriptions of Ireland's native dogs. In our demo area, we feature hourly events that demonstrate obedience, agility, hunting and conformation. We are certain you'll be both impressed and entertained by the dogs, who love to keep their owners on their toes!

Other dogs, with the exception of service animals, are not permitted on the festival grounds because of health and safety regulations. The dogs in this area have received special permission and permits to gain access to the grounds.