TOP 35
35 Things to Know Before You Go to the 35th Anniversary of the Dublin Irish Festival
Head to Dublin, Ohio, USA, Aug. 5-7 for the largest three-day Irish festival on the planet. You can make the most of the Dublin Irish Festival’s 35th anniversary with the following tips and information. Do DIF like a pro!
1. Celebrate With Us
The Dublin Irish Festival returns home to Coffman Park for the 35th anniversary celebration.2. Say Goodbye to Beverage Tokens
Guests can pay for their beverages directly at the beverage tents with a credit card, Google Pay, Apple Pay, or Beverage Payment Card. CASH is NOT accepted at the Beverage Tents.Guests wanting to use cash must exchange their cash for a Beverage Payment Card at one of the Ticket or Merchandise sales tents before going to a beverage tent.
Do you still have plastic beverage tokens? This year only, plastic tokens may be exchanged for beverage payment cards ($2 credit for each token) at the Dublin Community Recreation Center July 30-Aug. 2, or at one of the Ticket or Merchandise sales tents at the Festival.
3. Variety of Artists from Around the World
Enjoy a different lineup of international, national, and local artists each day of the festival. With 895 musicians, pipers, dancers and cultural exhibitors you’re sure to have a unique and rememberable experience.4. Download the App
Plan your day with the full Festival schedule, map, vendors, attractions and more. Don’t miss a thing with push notifications! Download now.5. Skip the Gate and Save
Purchase tickets before Aug. 5 for $15 each at the Dublin Community Recreation Center. Or purchase tickets online, at any time, for $15 each. At the Festival, general admission tickets are sold for $20 or $15 for seniors (60+), students and military (ID’s required). Children 10 and under are free.6. The Numbers Matter
There are 145 tents, 7,800 chairs, 7 music stages, 103,444 pounds of ice and 83,184 bottles of pop and water used to welcome home over 100,000 guests to the Festival grounds.7. Find Family-Friendly Fun in Every Corner of the Festival
From crafts, inflatables and contests for the wee ones to Highland games tailored for aspiring young athletes, the Dublin Irish Festival has countless activities for guests of all ages.8. Dust Off Your Dancing Shoes
The Festival would not be complete without the Irish dancers who draw enthusiastic crowds every year. Don’t just watch the dancers, be a part of the fun! The Ceili Stage offers dance lessons and opportunities to get your jig on.9. Go Green
Green is not just the color of shamrocks or the lush grass fields of Coffman Park. The Dublin Irish Festival promotes environmental sustainability by recycling and composting. Free bike parking is available, and reusable mugs encourage guests to help conserve the planet. Bring your empty water bottle and fill it up at our new water refill stations.10. Traditional Irish Food
From hearty stews to traditional Irish breakfasts, the weekend is a buffet of Celtic cuisine. But, if you would prefer a hamburger or ice cream, choose from over 30 food vendors.11. It’s Time to Raise a Glass
925 kegs of beer are purchased for the Festival! That is 91,575 beers! Sláinte!12. Meet with the Irish Consulate
Have questions about retiring in Ireland, getting an Irish Passport or working in Ireland? Stop by and speak with representatives from the Irish Consulate from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturday near the Emerald Isle. In addition, the Irish Consulate staff will be making a presentation at 6:30 p.m. Saturday on the Irish Traditions Stage.13. Get Involved
Coming Home to Coffman Parks means that 1,300 volunteers will be onsite to bring the Festival to life. Volunteers work throughout the Festival from helping kids with crafts, staffing the entrance gates or greeting vendors. Volunteers receive a free Festival ticket to enjoy the all the fun on another day. Sign up to become a volunteer.14. Hero Hut
Presented by Schoedinger Funeral & Cremation Services, the Hero Hut is a covered rest area, which offers complimentary snacks, non-alcoholic beverages and veteran resource information to active and retired military members, veterans of all military branches, first responders and up to three accompanying family members.15. Sensory Tent
Located near the Wee Folk area, Autism Society of Central Ohio (ASCO) and Dublin Parks and Recreation offer a calming place with sensory activities and equipment.16. 5k & Dubcrawl
The Dublin Irish Festival 5K & Kids Dash presented by IGS Energy kicks off the Festival weekend on Thursday, Aug. 4 in Historic Dublin. 5K participants receive a shirt, medal and a complimentary one-day ticket to the Festival. Continue to celebrate through the night with the Dubcrawl! Check out the Downtown Dublin DORA hours.17. Shop for One-Of-A-Kind Gifts
Need the perfect present? Whether you are shopping for someone special or looking to treat yourself, more than 90 vendors at the Marketplace and Emerald Isle offer a shopping experience that will transport you to the homeland of Ireland.18. Cuddle with Celtic Canines
For those looking to meet a new furry friend, the Celtic Canine area is a must-see. Stop by to learn more about the history of Irish dogs from some of the Midwest’s top breeders.19. Whiskey Bars & Whiskey Tastings
Get a chance to enjoy some of the best whiskeys found in the States. High-end whiskey tastings and hard to find brands can be tried at the whiskey tastings and at our new dedicated whiskey bars.20. Learn a Bit O’ History
Learn about the rich history of Ireland through one of the many presentations in the Irish Traditions and Spoken Word tents. Or, visit multiple on-site historical reenactors in the 10th Century Brian Boru area, the Viking Village or the Wake Tent. Stop in the Dublin Community Recreation Center to see a display depicting the 35 years of history of the Dublin Irish Festival or check out our brand-new history website and travel back in time to the Festival’s humble beginnings.21. Trace Your Roots
Trace your roots back to Ireland. Genealogy experts are on hand to help in your ancestry research. The genealogy area is sponsored by The Columbus Dispatch.22. Giving Back
Sunday morning, guests receive free admission between 9:30-11 a.m. with a donation of non-perishable food item or monetary donation to the Dublin Food Pantry. Throughout the weekend, community organizations volunteer their time at the beverage tents to raise funds for their groups.23. Bike Parking
For those who want to pedal to the Festival, two bike parking areas are available. One is located just outside the Southwest entrance and the other is at the northeast corner of Coffman Road and Emerald Parkway by Coffman High School.24. Embrace Your Inner Bookworm
Get acquainted with the beauty of the written word in Irish culture. Visiting authors, both Irish and Irish-American, will be at the Author’s Tent and presenting on the Spoken Word Stage throughout the weekend.25. Go for Gold in Irish Contests
Do you have the reddest hair, most freckles or greenest eyes? The Dublin Irish Festival hosts contests on Sunday afternoon at the Wee Folk Stage. Compete in these fun-filled contests for a chance to take home a festive prize and ultimate bragging rights.26. Get Ready to Laugh
The Festival is hosting The Real Irish Comedy Tour in the Abbey Theater inside the Dublin Community Recreation Center. The tour features comedians Dave Nihill, Sean Finnerty and Mick Thomas. A separate ticket is required any may be purchased online.27. Experience the Festival Like a VIP
If you’re looking for an extra-special way to experience the Festival, purchase a VIP club membership. With three unique settings and packages, there is an option for everyone.28 Rejoice in the Sunday Services
Enjoy the tranquility of Coffman Park on an August morning and attend one of the Festival’s Sunday Services.29. Get your Gaelic Game On
Watch some of the best Gaelic athletes participate in the Stones of Strength competition on Friday evening and the International Highland Games Federation Qualifier on Saturday. Come watch and learn about the Sheaf Toss, Weight Over Bar and more!30. Stay a While
Whether you are traveling from near or far, stay in a Dublin hotel and receive two (2) FREE Dublin Irish Festival tickets for each night you stay! Go to VisitDublinOhio.com for more information31. Learn From a Professional Chef
Celtic caterer Eric McBride offers cooking demonstrations throughout the weekend. Come learn some of his cooking tips and pick up a Celtic Cookbook.32. Music and Workshop Stages
Attend a music or craft workshop to learn a new skill and gain a greater appreciation of Irish musicians and artists.33. Sponsors
The Dublin Irish Festival has over 80 sponsors. The Festival provides a unique and targeted way for companies and organizations to present to over 100,000 patrons.35. Make Memories that Last a Lifetime
From a meeting place for family and friends to an annual tradition for couples, the Dublin Irish Festival has provided 35 years of memories for its guests.Show us how you celebrate the Irish tradition using #DIF35. Be sure to visit Dublin, Ohio, on Aug. 5, 6 and 7, for a celebration that’s 35 years in the making!