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

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.

Rent Our Space

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

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Upcoming Events

Trad Soul Revue: Ceol & Ól Concert Series

April 23: A celebration of Irish and American musical traditions. Featuring Irish and Irish-American musicians.

CelticMKE Disc Golf Open

May 2: This event is unsanctioned and open to all amateurs in advanced, intermediate, recreational, and novice divisions.

Howley: Ceol & Ól Concert Series

May 8: Their live show is full of laughter, harmony, and heart—the kind of energy that reminds audiences why they fell in love with folk music in the first place.

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

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.

Milwaukee Irish Fest

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

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CelticMKE Spring Raffle

Win a trip to Galway, Ireland by purchasing a CelticMKE raffle ticket. Learn more about where we'll buy and how you can buy.

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...

5 Irish Movies to Watch

Stream and watch Irish movies that were made by Irish film directors and Irish production companies, such as Kenneth Branagh, Lance Daley, and Cartoon Saloon!

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!