The Irish Fall Festival in North Wildwood is an annual tradition since 1992 organized by the Ancient Order of Hibernarians that sends 200,000 visitors flocking to the Jersey shore for a taste (and earful) of Irish culture. It’s the biggest Irish festival on the East coast and includes music and traditional dance, more than 100 vendors selling delicious food and beautiful handmade crafts, and live entertainment on two stages.
Play in a golf tournament, see a concert, learn how to dance like the Irish, have a drink at a participating pub, run a 5K, walk a mile, view a pipe exhibition, attend Catholic mass, or come out to the parade. There’s something for everyone!
You don’t even have to worry about getting there! There will be trolley services through North Wildwood ($3-4) and from Wildwood Crest and Wildwood ($5) so that all visitors can get right to the action.
Here are the details of Irish Weekend 2016, including the list of performers! Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly newsletter so you don’t miss any last minute modifications.
Schedule of Events
Thursday, September 22
10:00 a.m. – Golf Tournament @Cape May National Golf Course (light lunch, dinner buffet, beer, and prizes included for $90-100)
Friday, September 23
8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. – Vendors on Olde New Jersey Ave.
12:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Live Irish Entertainment on Olde New Jersey Ave.
12:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Food Court Stage and Beer Garden Open
Saturday, September 24
8:00 a.m. – 5K Run/1 Mile Walk on Olde New Jersey Ave. ($20 registration with free T-shirt and cash prizes!)
8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. – Vendors on Olde New Jersey Ave.
10:00 a.m. – Brian Riley Pipe Exhibition @Bill Henfey Park (best pipe bands on the East Coast)
10:00 a.m.-Noon – Free Irish Dance Lessons @Ocean Side Music Tent
12:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Live Irish Entertainment on Olde New Jersey Ave.
12:00 p.m.-8:30 p.m. – Food Court Stage and Beer Garden Open
Sunday, September 25
10:30 a.m. – Mass @Saint Ann’s R.C. Church
12:30 p.m. – Parade from 20th & Surf Ave. to Spruce & Olde New Jersey Ave. (2016 Triathlon Olympian Joe Maloyas Grand Marshall, appearances by Seamus Boyle, Miss North Wildwood, bag pipe bands, Irish dance groups)
8:00 a.m.-7:00 p.m. – Vendors on Olde New Jersey Ave.
Free Live Entertainment Stage Performers
Chestnut Ave. & Olde New Jersey Ave.
Friday, September 23rd and Saturday, September 24th
12:00-12:15 – National & Irish Anthem
12:15-2:00 – Galway Guild
2:00-3:45 – Ballina
3:45-5:30 – Broken Shillelaghs
5:30-6:45 – Birmingham 6
6:45-8:30 – Maura McKinney Mastro
Traditional Music Stage and Beer Garden Performers
Spruce & Olde New Jersey Ave.
Friday, September 22nd
12:15-2:00 – Brothers McGillian
2:00-2:45 – Haley Richardson
2:45-4:30 – Tommy McHugh
4:30-5:15 – Timmy Kelly
5:15-7:00 – Kelly and Company
7:00-8:45 – The Shantys
Saturday, September 23rd
10:00-12:00 – McLaughlin Free Dance Lessons
12:00-12:45 – ?
12:45-1:15 – Academy of Dance Artistry
1:15-2:30 – Brothers McGillian
2:30-3:00 – Haley Richardson
3:30-4:45 – Tommy McHugh
4:45-5:15 – Emerald Isle School of Dance
5:30-6:00 – Timmy Kelly
6:00-7:15 – Kelly and Company
7:15-7:45 – Shades of Green Irish School of Dance
7:45-9:00 – The Shantys