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!

Irish and Celtic Book Club

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

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Upcoming Events

CelticMKE Céilí Dances

Join us at our CelticMKE Center in the Village of Wauwatosa for monthly céilí dance gatherings. All ages welcome. Instruction always offered.

Chuck Ward Memorial Blood Drives

December 16: 3-7pm. Appointments are strongly encouraged. In partnership with Versiti Blood Center of Wisconsin.

Irish Fest School of Music

School of Music at the Milwaukee Irish Fest Center. Our dedicated faculty of musicians has come together to offer instruction in instrumental Irish traditional dance music to students of all ages. Music lessons, group classes, and workshops are offered for Irish music students of varying ability levels.

The Calling: Music and Cultural Tour of Ireland

January 15-25, 2026: 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!

Guinness and Chocolate

February 14: Celebrate Valentine's Day with Guinness beers, chocolate samplings from local chocolatiers, and Celtic music.

Irish Family Day - Passport to Ireland

March 8: The family-friendly way to celebrate St. Patrick's Day in Milwaukee! Crafts, activities, music, food, dance, and more.

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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...

Rory Makem - A Childhood Christmas Memory

Rory Makem reminisces on a childhood memory - 1975, when he went to the television station with his father, Tommy Makem to record a Christmas special.

5 Irish Tin Whistle Players You Need To Hear

The tin whistle is a humble instrument but can sound amazing in the hands of an expert musician. Listen and learn about 5 influential Irish whistle players.

What is an Irish session?

Irish sessions are fun gatherings of musicians sharing tunes and conversations in a relaxed setting...

Accordionist Jimmy Keane: Irish Fest and the Ward Irish Music Archives

One of the greatest achievements of the entire Milwaukee Irish Fest experience is the Ward Irish Music Archives. It is a tribute to the music and culture we share and in which we have built our community on.

5 Scotland Castles to Check Out

Five castles to put on your bucket list of castles to visit in Scotland! From the oldest Scottish castle to the biggest, these castles are rich with history, beauty and stunning views!

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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!