Lincoln Park
Lincoln Park in downtown Waterloo, Iowa, hosts Iowa Irish Fest on the first weekend of August, drawing nearly 30,000 attendees a year. Food vendors line Mulberry Street and take only Irish Fest Bucks, the festival's own token currency, and alcohol on the grounds has to be bought at the festival itself.
Before you go
- Official site
- iowairishfest.com
- Next festival here
- Iowa Irish Fest, Aug 6 to 8, 2027
Worth knowing before you go
- Food vendors on Mulberry Street only take Irish Fest Bucks, so plan to buy the festival's own tokens before you shop.
- Only alcohol bought at the festival itself is allowed on the grounds, and you'll need a wristband and photo ID to buy it.
- Iowa Irish Fest is entering its 21st year and now draws nearly 30,000 attendees across the weekend.
Festivals here
Venue basics: Nearly 30,000 attendees a year · Food vendors take Irish Fest Bucks only · Alcohol needs a wristband and photo ID.
Is it for you
Choose it if
- you want a long-running, large downtown Irish festival
Think twice if
- you were hoping to bring your own alcohol onto the grounds
Getting there and parking
We don't yet have confirmed information about parking at Lincoln Park. The venue's own pages are the place to check: iowairishfest.com.
Accessibility
We don't yet have confirmed information about accessibility at Lincoln Park. The venue's own pages are the place to check: iowairishfest.com.
Camping
We don't yet have confirmed information about camping at Lincoln Park. The venue's own pages are the place to check: iowairishfest.com.
Food, water and what you can bring
Festival-specific · Iowa Irish FestFood vendors are set up along Mulberry Street and accept only Irish Fest Bucks, the festival's own token currency, so budget time to pick some up before you browse.
Festival-specific · Iowa Irish FestNo alcohol is allowed on the grounds other than what's bought at the festival itself or from businesses inside the grounds. Buying alcohol requires a wristband and photo ID, and beer tokens cost $6 each, payable by cash or card.
Recently at Lincoln Park
My Irish Radio Vid Episode 10
From the venue · Jul 31, 2026
My Irish Radio Vid Episode 9
From the venue · Jul 24, 2026
My Irish Radio Vid Episode 8
From the venue · Jul 19, 2026
A little history
Iowa Irish Fest was founded by the Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association and is held in the Lincoln Park area of downtown Waterloo on the first weekend of August each year. The festival is entering its 21st year and now draws nearly 30,000 attendees annually.