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From the high-energy stomp of traditional jigs to the thrill of bodhrán jams and Celtic rock, the 2025 Pittsburgh Irish Festival is turning up the craic. Taking place September 5–7 at the iconic Carrie Blast Furnaces, this year’s gathering blends heritage and innovation in a bold new way.
There’s a reason the Pittsburgh Irish Festival is now in its 34th year — it’s a dynamic celebration of Irish heritage that grows more vibrant with each turn. Held annually the weekend after Labor Day, the 2025 edition will be staged once again at the visually stunning Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark, a backdrop as bold and storied as Ireland itself.
This year, organizers are turning up the heat with a spectacular entertainment line-up spanning Grammy winners, viral sensations, and local legends. It’s not just about the music — the festival is embracing fresh, immersive experiences that showcase Ireland’s rich traditions with a modern flair. From social media-famous pipers and stone-lifting challenges to hands-on cooking demos and interactive storytelling, it’s a feast for the senses.
“We could not be more excited to present this year’s Pittsburgh Irish Festival entertainment line-up,” said Mairin Petrone, Executive Director of the Festival. “We’re bringing together something for everyone — from first-timers to lifelong lovers of Irish culture.”
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A stacked line-up on four main stages
This year’s entertainment is nothing short of epic. Fans of Celtic rock and trad music alike will find their rhythm with Gaelic Storm, The Screaming Orphans, and the Bastard Bearded Irishmen, who promise foot-stomping sets that fuse Irish music with punk, gypsy, and high-octane rock.
Gaelic Storm.
Grammy-awarded and Emmy-nominated fiddle powerhouse Eileen Ivers returns, this time leading the Brigideens, a bold, all-female supergroup honoring St. Brigid through Celtic and Americana sounds. Other standout acts include The Fitzgeralds, known for their award-winning fiddle and step dancing, and The Drowsy Lads, celebrating 20 years of irresistible Irish-American folk.
Drowsy Lads.
Meanwhile, social media phenom Ally the Piper — the world’s most followed bagpiper — will bring her viral magic to the stage, combining classical training with a fresh, modern vibe.
Also on tap: Elias Alexander, who fuses traditional piping with live looping and electronic beats, adding a bold, experimental flavor to the weekend.
Ally the Piper.
Five Farms Celtic Kitchen: taste the tradition
The Five Farms Celtic Kitchen is where festivalgoers can watch pro and amateur chefs whip up Irish treats — often featuring a splash of Five Farms — and learn how to make Celtic recipes at home. Whether it’s your first taste of boxty or you’re curious about the secrets to perfect brown bread, this is the place to satisfy your Irish culinary cravings.
Old world meets new
Beyond the stages, the festival offers dozens of ways to explore Irish culture in action. Love Irish dance? Catch performances by top local schools like the Bell School of Irish Dance, Fitzpatrick School, Shovlin Academy, and The Traditional Irish Arts Academy — all blending athleticism and artistry with Irish pride.
For those drawn to lore and laughter, Pittsburgh storyteller Alan Irvine returns to spin ghostly yarns, ancient legends, and timeless folktales that bring Ireland’s rich oral tradition to life.
Want to get your hands moving? Join a bodhrán jam session, cheer on a stone-lifting contest, or take in the pageantry of Irish step dancers as they fill the air with rhythm and energy.
Old traditions meet new at the Pittsburgh Irish Festival.
Local legends and community roots
In true Pittsburgh fashion, the festival also showcases homegrown talent, including long-loved acts like Donnie Irish, County Mayo, Jim Lamb, and Corned Beef & Curry, as well as local voices like Bealtaine and Weekend at Blarney’s. Whether it’s pub rock, traditional reels, or original ballads, these performers offer a distinct taste of the region’s Celtic soul.
The Pittsburgh Irish Festival Ceili Band will also lead communal Irish social dances — a tradition that welcomes all ages and skill levels with open arms and lively tunes.
The heart behind the celebration
While it may be three days of non-stop festivities, the Pittsburgh Irish Festival is also a year-round advocate for Irish heritage in western Pennsylvania. The Festival’s Irish Education Outreach Program supports cultural programming throughout the year, strengthening community ties and keeping Irish traditions alive for the next generation.
From a humble beginning in 1991, the festival has grown into one of the country’s premier showcases of Irish-American culture — and its continued evolution proves that tradition and innovation can walk hand-in-hand.
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The 34th Annual Pittsburgh Irish Festival runs September 5–7, 2025, at the Carrie Blast Furnaces National Historic Landmark. Tickets are on sale now. Don’t wait to grab yours.
For the full line-up, photos, bios, and more info, visit www.pghirishfest.org.
Sláinte to tradition — and to the future of Irish culture in Pittsburgh.
