CelticMKE - Irish Music and Celtic Culture in Milwaukee, WI

CelticMKE

If you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to play a bodhrán – or what the heck one is – you’re in the right place. CelticMKE, the home of Milwaukee Irish Fest, is about sharing our love of Irish music, Celtic history, and culture with people in the Midwest, and all over the world! You’ll find programs for the whole family, lectures by leading experts in Celtic culture, classes in traditional language, music and crafts, and our signature event, Milwaukee Irish Fest. Whether you want to reconnect with your roots, or explore a culture that’s new to you, CelticMKE is here to help.

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Featured

Rent Our Space

Host your next event in our beautiful, historic building, located in the village of Wauwatosa!

Carry the Culture

While Milwaukee Irish Fest only lasts for four days in the summer, our work to promote Irish culture continues all year long. We invite you to help Carry the Culture this green season with a gift to our CelticMKE Cultural Fund.

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Upcoming Events

Irish Fest Summer School

August 10-14, 2026. Over 40 Irish cultural, music, dance, art, and language classes to choose from. 3-Day and 1-Day Workshops Available.

Milwaukee Irish Fest

August 13-16, 2026, at the Henry Maier Festival Park. Join us for a weekend of Celtic music, culture, food, dance, history, and more!

CelticMKE Céilí Dances

Join us at our CelticMKE Center in the Village of Wauwatosa for monthly céilí dance gatherings. All ages welcome. Instruction is taught all evening!

Irish Fest School of Music

Year-round music lessons in instrumental Irish traditional dance music, group classes, and workshops for students of all ages and abilities.

The Great Irish Open - Golf Outing

September 16: Join us for 18 holes of golf at the Ironwood Golf Course while supporting our Ward Irish Music Archives.

The Byrne Brothers: Ceol & Ól Concert Series

November 13: The Byrne Brothers are a high-energy, multi-award-winning Irish trad folk dance band from Donegal, recognized for their electrifying stage presence and modern Celtic sound.

RUNA: Ceol & Ól Concert Series

December 6: The award-winning Celtic group RUNA brings their lively and heartwarming holiday show, Hark! An Irish Christmas, to CelticMKE, for a performance filled with rich harmonies, dazzling instrumentals, and festive spirit.

The Calling: Music and Cultural Tour of Ireland

January 14-24, 2027: Join us for our unique music and cultural tour—an opportunity to enjoy an authentic and educational experience in Ireland. The 10-day trip spans two Irish cultural festivals and a host of cultural activities in between throughout County Donegal and Dublin City!

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Discover

Irish and Celtic Book Club

Love to read? Join our monthly Irish & Celtic book club where we read books from Irish and Scottish authors.

Cultural Partners

A cultural partnership between two Irish centers across the Atlantic, with CelticMKE, located in the village of Wauwatosa, WI, and Áras Chrónáin, located in South Dublin.

Tips for Practicing Irish Music

To help make the most of your Irish music (or any style of music) practice time, we've compiled a few tips to help make getting started less daunting...

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Fáilte to Irish and Celtic Culture!

Fáilte (that means “welcome” in Gaelic) to CelticMKE, your go-to resource for all things Irish and Celtic in the Milwaukee area and around the globe! You’re probably familiar with our signature event, Milwaukee Irish Fest, but maybe you haven’t listened to historic recordings from our Ward Irish Music Archives, learned Celtic music and culture face-to-face with leading experts during the Milwaukee Irish Fest Summer School, or learned the tin whistle or Irish fiddle with faculty from the Milwaukee Irish Fest School of Music. Start exploring your Irish and Celtic heritage - or discovering your own unique love for it – with CelticMKE today!