Maryland Irish Festival 2026

The Maryland Irish Festival returns to Timonium, Maryland, on November 13–15, 2026, bringing Irish music, dance, food, and cultural activities to the Cow Palace at Maryland State Fairgrounds. The indoor festival celebrates its 52nd edition with three days of entertainment and activities for different ages.

Presented by Irish Charities of Maryland, the event supports charitable causes through a celebration of Irish culture. Alongside performances, visitors can explore cultural exhibits, browse Irish and Celtic merchandise, and enjoy traditional cuisine.

🕒 Opening Hours

• Friday, November 13: 6:00–11:00 PM.
• Saturday, November 14: noon–11:00 PM.
• Sunday, November 15: noon–6:00 PM.

A Catholic Mass takes place on Sunday at 10:30 AM, before the main festival opens. Festival admission is required to attend.

Irish Music and Dance

Announced performers include The ShamRogues, Screaming Orphans, Celtica Nova, Gaelic Mishap, Poehemia, Barleyjuice, Jamison, Waking Finnegan, Seamus Kennedy, Brendan Pelan, and The Hooligans.

Irish dancing, traditional music sessions, storytelling, and children’s activities complement the concerts.

Selected Program Highlights

• Friday, November 13, 7:00–7:15 PM: opening ceremony with The Fire Brigade Pipes and Drums of Greater Baltimore.
• Friday, November 13, 7:00–10:00 PM: open traditional music session hosted by Baltimore Irish Music School with Richard Hearn.
• Saturday, November 14, 7:15–9:15 PM: Ceili with Celtic Corridor and caller Kate Spanos.
• Sunday, November 15, 2:00–4:00 PM: Family Ceili.
• Sunday, November 15, 4:45–6:00 PM: The ShamRogues.

Performance times are subject to change.

🎟 Admission Prices

Friday or Sunday

• Adults ages 18–64: $20 per day.
• Seniors ages 65 and older: $10 per day.

Saturday

• Adults ages 18–64: $25.
• Seniors ages 65 and older: $20.

Weekend Pass and Free Admission

• Three-day festival pass: $55.
• Children and teenagers ages 17 and younger: free.
• Active-duty military personnel with identification: free.

Saturday admission allows visitors to leave and return during the day. The three-day pass includes reentry throughout the festival. Online admission tickets have no processing fee; the optional contribution to the ticketing platform can be set to $0.

Buy official Maryland Irish Festival tickets.

Explore other historical and cultural festivals in Maryland or browse the calendar of festivals in November 2026 for more events during the month.

Traditional Irish Breakfast and Whiskey Tastings

The Traditional Irish Breakfast costs $20 and is served buffet-style near Portz’s Pub in the South Hall. The menu includes eggs, rashers, sausage, black and white pudding, tomatoes, beans, potatoes, mushrooms, brown bread, and tea or coffee. Festival admission is purchased separately.

Whiskey tasting sessions cost $30 and include a festival rocks glass. Each session lasts approximately 45–60 minutes and is limited to 20 participants. A separate festival admission ticket is required.

The event also joins the wider calendar of Irish festivals celebrating music, dance, and cultural traditions.

📍 Venue and Parking

The festival is held indoors at Maryland State Fairgrounds, Cow Palace Building, 2200 York Road, Timonium, MD 21093.

Parking is free, with accessible parking and shuttle vans to the entrance.

📍 Approximate Road Distances

Approximate driving distances to Timonium are listed below. Mileage to the fairgrounds varies by route and starting point.

• Towson, Maryland: 3 mi.
• Baltimore, Maryland: 14 mi.
• York, Pennsylvania: 41 mi.
• Annapolis, Maryland: 46 mi.
• Washington, DC: 51 mi.
• Frederick, Maryland: 53 mi.