Vancouver Celtic Fest 2024

Published: Feb. 25, 2024, 1:40 p.m.

CelticFest Vancouver, the city\u2019s annual celebration of Celtic culture returns this March celebrating 20 years of bringing Celtic music, dance and culture to Vancouver. Festivities kick off Thursday March 14 with an Irish comedy show hosted by local comedian Amy Walsh and finish Saturday March 16th with an all-day St Patrick\u2019s Day festival in the heart of downtown Vancouver. The free, all-ages, community festival offers live music, performance, a beer tent, food trucks, Irish dancing, a Celtic-themed market, games, Irish Wolfhounds, a family zone, face painting, sports demonstrations and more. CelticFest is Western Canada\u2019s largest annual Celtic festival. For 20 years, the festival has delivered a rich cultural celebration of the Celtic nations to thousands of festival goers. In addition to comedy and the flagship downtown festival, ticketed festivities include a performance from the Vancouver Welsh Men's Choir and the annual St. Patrick\u2019s Day Ceilidh. Chasing Abbey, a rising Irish pop group from Tullamore, Ireland will headline the festival along with local sensation Paul Caldwell. The free Saturday festival will showcase a range of new and returning performances including music from local favourites like Matty & The Barge Boys and traditional dance by the O'Brien School of Irish Dance. Storyteller Jess Murray and kids\u2019 ensemble, the Showstoppers will delight young festival-goers in addition to a family zone with games and activities for all ages. A curated Celtic marketplace will offer everything from international snacks, jewelry, a photo booth and locally made Celtic crafts. Local sports teams and community groups will play games and promote Celtic culture in Vancouver. Cold beers, beverages and a selection of international cuisine will be available through mobile bars and food trucks. Celtic traditional sounds with modern music, art and elebration, the festival brings people together from around the province. We\u2019re very excited to be hosting pop group Chasing Abbey who are coming all the way from Ireland as well as local favorites like Paul Caldwell and the O'Brien School of Irish Dance. In Canada, March is Irish Heritage Month. Irish people have been making their home in Vancouver for decades now and our history here is growing.