CelticFest in Vancouver

Vancouver CelticFest is a Celtic festival over St. Patrick’s Day week that usually includes concerts, whisky tastings, live music and street parties.

CelticFest features several different events in March. It’s much smaller than it used to be. Years ago there was a St. Patrick’s Day Parade, and a CelticFest Village with events and activities outside the Vancouver Art Gallery, but not any more. Continue reading below for details on ongoing activities.

Click Vancouver on St. Patrick’s Day for information about other St. Patrick’s Day-related events in the Lower Mainland. One highlight each year is the St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Boat Party, hosted by Vancouver Boat Parties. It features plenty of music, dancing, and fun on a party boat at night. In 2026, it takes place on Saturday, 21st March.

CelticFest St. Patrick’s Celebrations

In 2026, CelticFest runs from March 12th to 17th. For comparison, last year it ran from March 7th to 22nd. The 2026 festival is the 22nd edition of the series. See below for a list of CelticFest events happening in 2026.

CelticFest Events

The 22nd annual CelticFest in 2026 features Irish music, dance, comedy, and more. The schedule of events is listed below. More events may be added, and exact details are subject to change.

Friday March 13th, 2026

Ceilidh: A lively evening event running from 6:30 pm to 9:00 pm at the Hellenic Centre in Vancouver. The music and performances are by Blackthorn, the O’Brien School of Irish Dance, and the Shot of Scotch Vancouver Company.

Saturday March 14th, 2026

Live at the Hollywood Theatre: Doors open at 7:00 pm, and the show starts at 8:00 pm. The Hollywood Theatre is on West Broadway in Vancouver. The lineup includes The Whiskeydicks, the Paul Caldwell Band, and The Saltchuckers. This is one of the festival’s main concert nights and is a ticketed event.
Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir Concert: This concert takes place from 3:30 pm to 5:30 pm at St. Andrew ’ s-Wesley United Church. The well-known Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir performs a selection of traditional and modern Irish songs in a lovely church setting. This is a ticketed concert event.
What’s the Craic? A Night of Irish Devilry: This event takes place at the Rio Theatre. The doors open at 8:15 pm, and the show starts at 9:00 pm. This is an adults-only show. It features Irish-themed comedy, live music, burlesque, and a high-energy, fun atmosphere. Tickets are required for this event.

ST. PATRICK’S DAY EVENTS

Top things to do in the Lower Mainland on or around St. Patrick’s Day, most years, include attending a St. Patrick’s Day-themed party like the one at Eagle’s Hall in North Vancouver, or the annual celebrations at the Blarney Stone Pub in Gastown. There is also the Shamrock’N Race and a St. Patrick’s Day Weekend Boat Party with Vancouver Boat Parties.

Some of the top events in recent years have included a concert with the Vancouver Welsh Men’s Choir and a Celtic Fest event at the Museum of Surrey.

Sunday, March 15th, 2026

CelticFest Family Day: This family-friendly event runs from 12:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the north plaza at the Vancouver Art Gallery. The day features live music, Irish dancing, face painting, bouncy castles, and a Celtic market. Performers include the O’Brien School of Irish Dance, Jocelyn Pettit, Eamonn Mac Hale, and Bob Collins. Admission is free.

Note: The above details are subject to change. See the CelticFest Vancouver website for the latest information and tickets. More events may be added as we approach the festival date.

CelticFest Outside the Vancouver Art Gallery

One highlight of CelticFest in the past has been the event held in šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (outside the Vancouver Art Gallery). It’s a full day of celebrations and family-friendly activities. Last year, this event did not happen. However, the family-friendly event is returning in 2026. For an idea of what to expect in 2026, keep reading below.

In 2024, the one-day event was on March 16th. It began at 10:00 am and continued until 9:00 pm. The event was open to the public and admission was free. There were live music and dance performances, along with games and face-painting opportunities. The event also featured a marketplace of local vendors, a photo booth, appearances by Celtic sports teams, and more. Food trucks were on site serving tasty treats, and there was also a bar selling alcoholic beverages. This year’s family day is likely to be similar.

Check out the 360-degree photo below to get an idea of what to expect if the event returns. The photo was taken at the 2024 event. As you can see, lots of people were outside enjoying the sunshine and live music.