Tuesday, Jul 21
Three Days of Endless Family Fun Await at the Dublin Irish Festival
Music. Dance. Culture. and countless memories for the whole family!
DUBLIN, Ohio — The Dublin Irish Festival returns to Coffman Park July 31-Aug. 2, 2026. While the three-day Irish Festival is known for its music and dance, it’s just as beloved for its family-friendly experiences. From free Irish-inspired crafts and Celtic Canines to living history and the Pot O’ Gold Playland, kids of all ages can celebrate Ireland’s culture in their own way.
“The Dublin Irish Festival is one of my daughter’s favorite weekends of the year. Start in the Wee Folk area for free crafts, Irish storytelling, music and dance instruction, where kids can learn a few Irish dance steps,” says Shirley Blaine with the City of Dublin. “And if they still have energy to burn, a Pot O’ Gold Playland wristband is well worth it for unlimited inflatable fun!”
The Wee Folk area also hosts the Festival’s lighthearted competitions, including reddest hair, most freckles and greenest eyes. Young athletes can get in on the action, too, at the Kids Highland Games in the Greenfields Sports Area, where children take on kid-friendly versions of the same events as the adult athletes.
Nearby, animal lovers won’t want to miss the Celtic Canines area, where kids can meet Irish dog breeds up close, or visit the Festival’s bog ponies, a breed with roots in southwestern Ireland. Vendors offer Irish-themed treasures made just for kids, from fairy crowns to capes and shields, so every Festivalgoer can dress the part.
For families looking for even more activities, the Pot O’ Gold Playland offers ticketed, all-day access to more than 20 inflatables and activities, designed for children ages 2–12. Wristbands can be purchased online in advance or on-site at the Festival.
History comes to life for young Festivalgoers, too. Kids can step back in time at Brian Boru’s Ireland, a recreated 10th-century village and meet the 2nd Cavalry Brigade to learn about the daily life of Civil War soldiers, many of whom were Irish immigrants. Original instruments, reproduction equipment and weaponry will be on display.
No trip to the Festival is complete without a stop at the Wishing Tree, an age-old Irish tradition where kids can write a wish and tie it to a branch. Just steps away, the Passage of Time exhibit invites families to discover how the ancient people of Ireland marked this tradition.
For added peace of mind, at all four main entrances, caregivers can obtain a free Identi-Kid wristband displaying their child’s name, age and a guardian’s phone number to help Festival staff quickly reunite separated families.
For more information about the Dublin Irish Festival, including tickets and a full list of family-friendly experiences, visit DublinIrishFestival.org. Follow the Festival on Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
About the Dublin Irish Festival
Experience music, culture and dance at the 39th Dublin Irish Festival in Dublin, Ohio, USA. The 2026 Festival returns July 31, Aug. 1 and 2, welcoming more than 90,000 guests to Coffman Park for a three-day Irish celebration featuring concerts, Irish dance, shopping, food, culture and more.
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