2025 Iowa Irish Fest is August 1st-3rd!
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2025 Iowa Irish Fest is August 1st-3rd!
Friday, August 2
4 p.m. – Midnight
Saturday, August 3
10 a.m. – Midnight
Sunday, August 4
8:30 a.m. – 6 p.m.
No pets admitted. Only service dogs will be permitted on Festival grounds
$35.00 dollars this is for a three day wrist band to the festival. Credit cards are accepted at all gates, the Official Iowa Irish Fest merchandise booth and for food/beverage token purchase.
Children 15 and under are free with a paid adult.
Automated Teller Machines (ATM) are located at the Bank Iowa on the corner of East 4th and Mulberry within the festival grounds. There is also one located on the corner of Mulberry and East 3rd at Regions Bank which is outside the festival grounds by Gate 1.
No alcohol is permitted on festival grounds other than what is purchased at the festival from the Iowa Irish Fest or those business inside festival grounds.
Anyone purchasing alcohol must have an alcohol wrist band before you can purchase beer tokens. Photo ID required.
Tokens are $6 dollars each and can be purchased at any ticket booth and token kiosk with cash and credit card. Beers can be purchased directly at the beer booths by credit only.
Iowa Irish Fest Winner of the:
Cedar Valley Convention & Visitor’s Bureau “2013 Event of the Year” Award
Greater Cedar Valley Alliance & Chamber “2011 Cedar Valley Partner” Award
Cedar Valley Convention & Visitor’s Bureau “2010 Event of the Year” Award
$6,000.00 in weekend passes for local organizations to use in their own fund-raising efforts for their cause.
$8,838.46 The Iowa Irish Fest has donated from a freewill offering at the Sunday Mass in the St. Vincent DePaul Society.
6,832 Meals donated for those in need. Partnered with the North East Iowa Food Bank.
$834.00 dollars form the 5K to the Boy’s and Girl’s Club.
$500.00 Iowa Irish Fest donated to the Boy Scouts of America.
$1,100.00 to local School and Church Groups
Baby changing and nursing stations are available in the Family Fun Area.
There will be bag pipes performing throughout the Festival Grounds.
Anyone purchasing alcohol must have an alcohol wrist band before you can purchase beer tokens.
Tokens are $6 dollars each and can be purchased at any ticket booth and token kiosk with cash and credit card. Beers can be purchased directly at the beer booths by credit only.
Bikes are not allowed on festival grounds. There is a bike corral provided and maintained by a local cycle group, area near Gate 4, at E. 4th Street and Sycamore street.
Within the fest grounds:
May I bring my camera?
Yes, we encourage you to bring your camera. Make sure you share some with us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram!
Cara: n (friend) of the Iowa Irish Fest. Become a CARA member and help promote the Cedar Valley’s vibrant Irish Culture. CARA is the official support group of the Iowa Irish Fest.
There are for members only events though out the year. Click here to learn more.
The Family Fun Area is located at the corner of East 4th street and Mulberry Street. 6 inflatables, two face painters and a Balloon Twister will be featured.
Friday
4:00 – 8 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday
11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Children 12 and under are welcome.
Coolers are not allowed on festival grounds.
A Cooling Station is located at the First Aid Station at the corner of 4th and Lafayette
Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association Inc.
Attn. Iowa Irish Fest
315 E 5th St
Waterloo IA 50703
Phone Number 319-234-9029
The Iowa Irish Fest has donated over $15,000.00 dollars and 8,800lbs. of food to local charities.
What should I do in the event of an emergency at the festival?
The purpose of this plan is to:
Iowa Irish Fest personnel will be easily identified as such by a safety green shirt displaying the Irish Fest logo and wording “Event Staff” Iowa Irish Fest personnel will also display a “Staff” identification badge.
Irish Fest personnel will continually monitor the weather to provide forewarning in the event of severe weather. In the event of a likely imminent severe weather event, Irish Fest participants will be advised to evacuate the area and/or seek shelter at one of the following previously approved locations:
Several intersections have been identified as rapid evacuation routes. They are as follows:
When Irish Fest personnel become aware of any type of medical emergency, they will respond to a rapid evacuation point and direct emergency personnel to the location of the medical emergency. In addition, there will be First Aid tents at Mulberry Street and East Park Avenue, Corner of 4th & Lafayette, as well as in the family area to assist participants as needed.
If Irish Fest personnel feel a critical incident of disorder is of such magnitude that the safety of Irish Fest participants is compromised, Irish Fest personnel should direct participants to a rapid evacuation point. If at all possible, and without jeopardizing their own safety, Irish Fest personnel should then direct responding emergency personnel to the critical incident of disorder.
It is the joint responsibility of the IIF Chairman, IIF Co-Chairman and the Production Director to make the determination when festival operations are to be suspended and the grounds evacuated due to severe weather or critical incident.
It is the responsibility of all Iowa Irish Fest staff members to be alert to any and all emergency situations and to promptly report the incident to the proper authorities. All staff members shall also report such incidents to the IIF Chairman. In the case of all Medical Emergencies, call 911 first. Be prepared to stay on the line with the emergency dispatcher until they have gathered all necessary information.
Each Irish Fest committee member will be assigned to a specific location or rapid evacuation point in the event that evacuation is necessary in the case of severe weather or a critical incident.
Gate #1 (E. Park Ave & Mulberry Street) – Volunteers & Merchandise
Gate #2 (E. 4th Street & Mulberry Street) – Vendors, Family Area, 5K
Gate #3 (E. 4th Street & Lafayette Street) – Cara & Marketing
Lincoln Park(E.4th & Franklin Street) – Logistics, Beverage, Treasurer
Park Ave. Stage (Lincoln Park) – Entertainment & Production, Safety
LSB Stage (E.4th & Lafayette) – IIF Chairman, IIF President
It is the responsibility of the IIF Chairman and Production Director to make announcements to our guests from both the Park Ave. Stage and Lincoln Savings Bank Stage that the festival is being temporarily suspended and the grounds will be evacuated. (See announcements)
General Safety and Security
It is the responsibly of all Iowa Irish Fest committee members to insure the safety and security of our guests. Be alert to any and all safety and security concerns and report them to the IIF Chairman.
In coordination with and authored by:
Daniel J. Trelka, City of Waterloo Director of Safety Services
The Family Fun Area is located at the corner of East 4th street and Sycamore Street.
Friday
4:00 – 8 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday
11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Children 12 and under are welcome.
Official Iowa Irish Festival merchandise is available at the merchandise booth. Choose from T-shirts, hats, pint glasses, pins and more! Location: Inside Lincoln Park near the Beer Tent.
No fireworks are permitted. No fireworks will be displayed.
No firearms or any type of weapons are allowed on festival grounds with the exception of Law Enforcement officials.
First Aid is located:
Many food vendors will be available for you to purchase all types of food. From Traditional Irish to your American Favorites. No outside food is permitted into the fest grounds. Click Here for a list of Food Vendors
No firearms or any type of weapons are allowed on festival grounds with the exception of Law Enforcement officials.
Traditional Gaelic games consisting of events with heaving, lifting, and tossing. There will be an exhibition on Friday from 5:00-8:00 p.m. in Lincoln Park. Competitive competition begins Saturday at 10:00 a.m. and goes until around 4:00 p.m.
An information/media tent is located near the intersection of East 4th and Mulberry Street. Festival information is also available at all five admission gates.
King/Queen and Prince/Princess along with Best Legs in a Kilt will be held on 4.30pm Saturday.
Friday
4:00 – 8 p.m.
Saturday
10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Sunday
11:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Children 12 and under are welcome.
What Irish Festival would be complete without kilts? We encourage you to wear your kilt if you have one or to purchase one from one of the vendors that will be selling them.
You may also enter the Best Legs in a Kilt contest. Best Legs in a Kilt will be held on 4.30pm Saturday.
Lost children should be taken to the Volunteer Check-in tent located by Gate 1 or to any Iowa Irish Fest staff members.
Lost items may be turned in at any Information Tent located near the intersection of East 4th and Mulberry Street. You may also call 319-234-9029. (Update phone number)
Click Here to Download a PDF Map
The Iowa Irish Fest will once again hold an outdoors Sunday Mass. Gates open at 8:30 with Mass at 10:00. Admission to the festival grounds will be two items of a non-perishable food items that will be donated to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. This donation will allow you to enjoy the festival for the entire day. Free admission with the food donation is only good until 10:30 AM on Sunday.
Official Iowa Irish Fest merchandise will be available at their booth on the grounds inside Lincoln Park.
Many merchandise vendors will be available for your enjoyment to browse or purchase your favorite Irish and American flairs.
The following are NOT permitted inside the grounds. There are metal detectors at each gate, so please come prepared & leave the following at home:
The Iowa Irish Fest kicks off with a small walking opening ceremony on Friday at 4:00 p.m. The procession begins on the west side of the river on West 4th street and processes back across the river on 4th street to Lincoln Park.
Parking is available on any side streets. You may also park in the parking ramp located on Park Avenue. Paid Parking is available in the East Side Parking Ramp located on E. Park Ave after 5pm on Friday and all day Saturday & Sunday. Paid parking is also located behind the Elks Lodge building at E. Park & Mulberry.
Don’t forget about our free shuttle services that goes throughout the Cedar Valley. Link to Shuttle page.
No pets, only exhibit (Celtic Canines with credentials) and service dogs are allowed on Festival grounds. Please make sure you have the proper credentials or papers with you.
A phone App is available in Google Play and Apple Store under Iowa Irish Fest
Stay tuned for more details in 2025
The official Iowa Irish Fest poster by artist Gary Kelley will be available for purchase at the Iowa Irish Fest merchandise booth.
Haven’t found what you’re looking for? Email us at info@iowairishfest.com
We will be using wrist bands for your entrance to the fest grounds this year. This will be a three day band so if you intend to come back to the festival you will need to leave your wristband on. Anyone who does not have an official wristband on will have to purchase one or will have to leave the festival grounds.
If you would like to plan a class or family reunion during the festival contact us at:
Cedar Valley Irish Cultural Association Inc
Attn. Iowa Irish Fest
315 E 5th St
Waterloo IA 50703
Phone Number 319-234-9029
Adults and High schoolers are welcome to come battle it out in a friendly game of Rugby.
Yes. Service animals are allowed on the grounds. A service animal is one that is individually trained to perform work for a person with a disability. You may be asked if your animal is a service animal and what tasks it is trained to perform. You do not need to provide documentation of your animal’s status as a service animal nor is it required to wear a vest. Your animal must be leashed unless that interferes with its work, but it must still be under your effective control at all times.
Click Here for Shuttle Schedule
To see a full list of our sponsors go to Sponsor page.
Please make sure you thank the sponsors of the Irish Fest. Without them it would not be possible.
Want to sponsor the 2024 Iowa Irish Fest? Contact our sponsorship team.
The Iowa Irish Fest will once again hold an outdoors Mass. Gates open at 8:30 with Mass at 10:00. Admission to the festival grounds, during Mass only, will be two items of a non-perishable items that will be donated to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. This donation will allow you to enjoy the festival for the entire day.
Not mandatory but highly recommended. We want to see more green than red during the festival.
$35.00 dollars this is for a three day wrist band to the festival.
What do I do if I cannot find my online ticket?
Send a message through Eventbrite and we can resend you your tickets.
VIP Experience which includes family tables are available for purchase for $1,000.00 dollars. You get a table for the week end along with 8 weekend passes to the festival and eight beer tokens. These go fast so contact us early. If there is not one available, you will be put on a waiting list.
Click Here for a list of Vendors
Volunteers are essential to the festival. We need over 1,600 to make your festival what it has been and what we all hope it will continue to be. We need every one of you. Click here to see what shifts are open for this fest!
ShamRock N Run 5k Fun Run/Walk
Available for sale from food vendors or if you need to you can go to the first aid tent located near the Park Avenue and Mulberry gate, they will assist you.
Yes, the Festival is wheelchair accessible. Just keep in mind that the Festival takes place in a park, so there is some grassy terrain. The Festival is accessible via sidewalks and streets, and there are plenty of curb-cuts.
We will be using wrist bands for your entrance to the fest grounds. This will be a three day band so if you intend to come back to the festival you will need to leave your wristband on. Anyone who does not have an official wristband on will have to purchase one or will have to leave the festival grounds.
City of Cedar Falls
Waterloo Techworks
Cozy Van
Fischels Commercial & Residential
Real Estate Group
You found the pot of gold!
Click on the link below to enter the Iowa Irish Fest Contest
Irish Fest Contest Form