Special & Can't-Miss Events at Irish Fest

Every year, Milwaukee Irish Fest works to mix favorite traditions at the festival with something new, giving longtime attendees and first-time visitors new reasons to explore the world's largest celebration of Irish culture.

From exciting cultural exhibits and family-friendly experiences to can't-miss music debuts, this year's festival introduces several firsts and exciting returns that make a trip to the lakefront even more worthwhile!

Wisconsin Badgers Pep Rally at Irish Fest

Saturday, August 15
2 PM @ Aer Lingus stage

Get ready to cheer on the Badgers as Irish Fest teams up with the Aer Lingus College Football Classic for a high-energy pep rally celebrating Wisconsin's journey to Ireland in 2027.

Featuring

• University of Wisconsin Alumni Marching Band
• UW Spirit Squad
• Bucky Badger
• Slainte Irish Dancers
• Paddy and Molly McFest

This spirited celebration brings together Wisconsin pride and Irish culture in true Irish Fest fashion.

University of Galway's Imirce Project

Irish emigrant stories. In their own words.

The Irish diaspora in America will also be featured with the debut of the University of Galway's Imirce Project: The Kerby A. Miller Collection.

This remarkable archive features thousands of letters and personal stories written by Irish emigrants to North America from the seventeenth through the mid-twentieth centuries.

Throughout the weekend, visitors can

• Hear live readings of these letters at the Theatre Pavilion
• Explore an exhibit in the Genealogy Area
• Attend a Hedge School presentation to learn about the fascinating work of researching, preserving, and digitizing the collection from Professor Daniel Carey

Download the free festival app or view the schedule page and filter based on the stages above to see performance times!

Sheep Herding Demonstrations

Experience one of Ireland's most iconic rural traditions with our new sheepherding demonstrations in Urban Park, just outside the North Gate. Watch highly trained border collies work in partnership with their handler as they skillfully guide sheep through a series of commands, showcasing the intelligence, athleticism, and teamwork that have made sheepherding an essential part of Irish farming for generations.

Catch demonstrations at Urban Park (outside of the North Gate).

• Saturday, August 15, at 2:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
• Sunday, August 16 at 12:30 p.m., 1:30 p.m., and 2:30 p.m.

The demonstrations take place outside the festival grounds. Simply have your hand stamped before exiting the festival through the North Gate. You'll be able to re-enter the festival anytime that day during regular festival hours by following the standard security screening policies. 

Ally the Piper

Ally the Piper is a viral internet sensation, renowned for modernizing the Great Highland bagpipe. She blends classic rock and heavy metal with Celtic influences, captivating audiences worldwide. Supported by legends like Metallica and Iron Maiden, Ally showcases her talent on various traditional instruments and is redefining the bagpipe's place in contemporary music.

Ally began playing as a traditional and competitive player at the age of 14. She went on to win world championships and gain extensive accolades as a solo competitor.

View her performance schedule here.

Home of Halloween Activation

Irish Fest's international partnership with Fáilte Ireland brings attendees face-to-face with the birthplace of one of the world's most widely celebrated holidays, Halloween!

Home of Halloween, presented by Fáilte Ireland, invites attendees to discover the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, where Halloween first began. Through engaging storytellers, folklore, myths, and conversations with representatives from Halloween festivals across Ireland, visitors can explore the authentic origins of the holiday while gathering inspiration for a future autumn trip across the Atlantic.

Biird

Biird is an all-female trad supergroup that has been mystifying the masses with their lively, zealous set and uncompromising dedication to Irish design since their inception in 2024.

Bringing the trad session vibe from the corner of a pub to a global audience, their energy is unmatched. This is a sisterhood born out of a shared passion for keeping the tradition of Irish music alive, giving it a new look, and keeping it on its toes.

When they’re performing together, magic flows between them, and that mix of skill and sorcery makes them incomparable.

View their performance schedule here.