Iowa Irish Fest
- Dates
- Aug 6 to 8, 2027
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Lincoln Park
- Price
- $40
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Sep 1, 2026
Iowa Irish Fest returns to Lincoln Park, Waterloo, IA, Aug 6 to 8, 2027. Froligo tracks current ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Iowa Irish Fest is billed as Iowa's biggest Irish celebration, a three-day open-air festival in the Lincoln Park area of downtown Waterloo drawing close to 50,000 people each year. Alongside all-weekend Irish music and dance it packs in a Highland Games, sheep herding, Gaelic football, hurling, a rugby tournament, Irish language and genealogy learning, a Guinness Experience and whiskey classes, and a large family fun area
What people love
Regulars call it one of the best weekends of the summer and rate the value highly, singling out how many bands you can see across three days for the price. Reviewers praise the music, the food and the atmosphere, with Irish acts such as Seo Linn and the Screaming Orphans named as favorites
Last time around (2026)
The 2026 festival ran July 31 to August 2 in downtown Waterloo, led by headliner Gaelic Storm with the Screaming Orphans, Seo Linn, the Byrne Brothers and other Irish acts across the music and dance stages, plus the Highland Games, cultural village and family programming
The games
Heavy athletics
The festival runs a Highland Games of traditional heaving, lifting and tossing events, with an exhibition on Friday evening in Lincoln Park and a competition on Saturday from mid-morning to late afternoon
Pipe bands & Highland dance
Bagpipes play throughout the festival grounds across the weekend, alongside Irish music stages and professional Irish dance workshops
Taking part
Beyond the music stages, the fest fills a Cultural and Family Fun area with Irish language classes, history and genealogy learning, and hands-on instrument sessions, plus a Guinness Experience, whiskey master classes, a rugby tournament, Gaelic football, hurling, sheep herding, a ShamRock N Run road race, a High Nelly bike rally, a talent search, and a Sunday outdoor Mass
See it before you go
A look at the Highland Games in general, not this specific event.
Getting there
How do I get to Iowa Irish Fest?
By car
Most people drive to Iowa Irish Fest. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
Taxi & rideshare
Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🚙 Car hire
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Where
Venue
The venue has its own page with capacity, accessibility and parking.
Accessibility & comfort
What the organiser or venue publishes about getting around, and what they do not.
Confirm your specific needs with the organiser's access team before you travel.
Pricing
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