updated 2025/11/17
Events in the local area
For information on lessons, sessions, ceili etc,
please go to Lessons or Recurring Events.
Confirm details with the websites.
| Nov 6-23 – Solus Nua presents: Lie Low (a play) Atlas Performing Arts Center – Lab 2 1333 H St NE Washington, DC Ciara Elizabeth Smyth is an award-winning playwright and screenwriter from Dublin whose work has won praise for its dark humour and experimental approach to form. |
| Nov 23 at 4:30 and 6:30 pm – Vulcan Eejits The Old Brogue 760 Walker Rd. Great Falls VA the husband and wife duo of Josh and Julie Kinn weave octave mandolin, bodhrán (Irish drum), and smooth vocal harmonies into their Celtic folk music from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Nov 25-30 – Shamrock Tenors: Christmas in Belfast The Kennedy Center 2700 F St., NW Washington, DC this groundbreaking group brings a fresh energy to Irish music |
| Nov 30 at 4:30 and 6:30 pm – TinSmith (date change) The Old Brogue 760 Walker Rd. Great Falls VA the husband and wife duo of Josh and Julie Kinn weave octave mandolin, bodhrán (Irish drum), and smooth vocal harmonies into their Celtic folk music from the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains |
| Dec 6 and 7 at 4 pm – Dumbarton Concerts: A Celtic Christmas Dumbarton Arts & Education 3133 Dumbarton Street NW Washington, DC our Celtic holiday celebration returns for another year of nostalgic poetry and music. Book well in advance for this perennially sold-out festive occasion! |
| Dec 6 at 7:30 pm – OCEAN Celtic (new) BlackRock Center for the Arts 12901 Town Commons Drive Germantown, MD OCEAN is Celtic Music for Ancient Moderns |
| Dec 7 at 3 pm – Common Ground on the Hill: Walt Michael & Co. (new) Carroll Baldwin Hall 9035 Baltimore St Savage, MD A key player in the revival of the hammered dulcimer, Walt Michael’s repertoire includes old-time Southern Appalachian, Celtic, & original compositions |
| Dec 8 at 7 pm – Lúnasa: Irish Solstice Celebration Barns of Rose Hill 95 Chalmers Court Berryville, VA one of Ireland’s most beloved traditional bands, joined by special guest vocalist and multi-instrumentalist Dave Curley |
| Dec 10 at 6 pm – An Irish Christmas with John Doyle and Cathie Ryan (new) The Kennedy Center – Millenium Stage (FREE) 2700 F St NW Washington, DC Two of Irish music’s most highly regarded performers share songs and stories from beloved carols, new and old. |
| Dec 11 at 8 pm – Sean Healey’s Celtic Christmas Strathmore – The Music Center 5301 Tuckerman Lane North Bethesda, MD This festive program blends ancient Gaelic carols, lively Irish tunes, familiar holiday melodies, and vibrant rhythms from Galicia and Brittany |
| Dec 11-28 – An Irish Carol (a play) The Keegan Theatre 1742 Church St. NW Washington, DC An original work by Keegan favorite Matthew J. Keenan, it is an homage to Dickens’ classic – told as only the Irish can. A comic and touching play set in a modern Dublin pub. |
| Dec 13 at 7:30 pm – Helicon: Winter Solstice (new) Dumbarton Arts & Education 3133 Dumbarton Street NW Washington, DC Band leader Ken Kolodner brings his incredible team to the Dumbarton stage for their annual program of bluegrass and folk music for the winter season. |
| Dec 13 at 6 pm – Emerald Isle Holiday Ceili (new) The Promenade Dance Studio, LLC 2605 Lord Baltimore Dr Windsor Mill, MD Family friendly – ceili, set, and twohand dances |
| Dec 13 at 7:30 pm – Celtic Christmas House Concert (new) Frederick, MD Reservations/details VirginiaLamprecht@gmail.com 202/744-4305. Join Karen Ashbrook (hammered dulcimer, flute), Pat Egan (vocals, guitar), Andrea Hoag (fiddle) & Sharon Knowles (Celtic harp) for a joyous celebration of Celtic Holiday tunes |
| Dec 16 at 7:30 pm – John Doyle and Mick McAuley – An Irish Christmas at the Historic Lyceum The Lyceum 201 South Washington Street Alexandria, VA Doyle’s powerhouse rhythmic guitar sound along with McAuley’s virtuosic instrumental skills make for driving tune sets from this pairing. |
| Dec 16 at 7:30 – Celtic Woman Symphony Christmas Tour. (new) George Mason Center for the Arts 4373 Mason Pond Drive Fairfax, VA Celebrate the holiday season with the celestial voices of Grammy-nominated multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman |
| Dec 18 at 7:30 pm – Celtic Woman Symphony Christmas Tour. (new) The Lyric Baltimore 140 West Mount Royal Ave. Baltimore, MD. Celebrate the holiday season with the celestial voices of Grammy-nominated multi-platinum Irish singing sensation Celtic Woman. |
| Dec 19 at 7 pm – Cassie and Maggie Blackrock Center for the Arts 12901 Town Commons Drive Germantown, MD Born to a family of deep Nova Scotia roots and a rich musical history, the two have been enchanting audiences around the world with their unparalleled unity of strings, voices and fabulous percussive step dance |
| Dec 20 at 2 and 7:30 pm – Irish Christmas in America Weinberg Center for the Arts 20 West Patrick St. Frederick, MD Featuring some of the Emerald Isle’s finest traditional performers, the show blends vibrant tunes, soulful ballads, and spirited step dancing |
| Dec 20 at 3:30 and 7:30 pm – Helicon’s 40th Annual Winter Solstice Concert (new) Kraushaar Auditorium Goucher College 1021 Dulaney Valley Rd Towson, MD Helicon’s brand of hypnotic Celtic-inspired dance rhythms makes a heady brew when mixed with this wide-ranging set of carols and winter songs |
| Dec 21 at 2 pm – Eileen Ivers Joyful Christmas. Weinberg Center for the Arts 20 West Patrick St. Frederick, MD Filled with warmth, wit, and a rich tapestry of instruments and voices, this festive performance captures the magic of the holidays through the lens of Celtic tradition. |
| Jan 1 at 4 pm – GWCC New Year’s Day Ceili The Lyceum 17801 Meeting House Road Sandy Spring, MD hold your celebration until New Year’s Day and enjoy dancing traditional country sets to a fabulous band of local traditional Irish musicians |
| Jan 11 at 7 pm – Andrew Caden, Diarmuid Ó Meachair, and Matt Mulqueen (note date change) Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum 201 South Washington Street Alexandria, VA |
| Jan 25 – Feb 2 – Joanie Madden’s Folk’n Irish Cruise NCL Escape departs from New Orleans Joanie’s 15th annual Irish cruise promises a week of non-stop entertainment with an all-star lineup of the finest Irish musicians, singers, and dancers on the planet! |
| Jan 31 at 4:30 and 7:30 pm – Ken and Brad Kolodner Quartet (new) Manor Mill 2029 Monkton Rd. Monkton, MD Regarded as one of the most influential hammered dulcimer players in the U.S., Baltimore’s Ken Kolodner has joined forces |
| Jan 31 at 7 pm – The MacMillan Pipe Band (new) The BlackRock Center for the Arts 12901 Town Commons Dr. Germantown, MD The MacMillan Pipe Band of the Greater Washington, D.C. region is one of the United States’ most successful competitive traditional Scottish ensembles. |
| Feb 10 at 8 pm – The Young Dubliners (new) Rams Head on Stage 33 West St. Annapolis, MD After thirty years as one of the world’s leading Celtic Rock bands, The Young Dubliners have begun work on their tenth studio album |
| Feb 11 at 7:30 pm – Solas (new) The Birchmere Music Hall 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA Fans can look forward to an unforgettable musical journey as the band showcases their signature sound while continuing to innovate and inspire. |
| Mar 1 at 7:30 pm – Tartan Terrors – Celtic Invasion (new) The Birchmere Music Hall 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA blending the energy of a rock show with humour and step dance. With a distinctive sound and proud tradition of making Celtic music fun and accessible to any audience |
| Mar 5 at 7:30 pm – Lily Neill The Mansion at Strathmore 10701 Rockville Pike North Bethesda, MD 20852 Known for pushing boundaries, Lily Neill is acclaimed for her dynamic performances and inventive approach to the harp. |
| Mar 6 at 8 pm – Ímar (new) Weinberg Center for the Arts 20 West Patrick St. Frederick, MD Hailing from Glasgow and boasting members of acclaimed groups like Mànran and RURA, Ímar brings a dynamic and award-winning blend of Irish, Scottish, and Manx musical traditions to the stage. |
| Mar 6 and 7 at 7:30 pm – The High Kings: The Rocky Road Tour (new) The Birchmere Music Hall 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA As global ambassadors of Irish heritage and storytelling, The High Kings have consistently brought the timeless tradition of folk music to audiences worldwide, |
| Mar 7 at 3 and 7 pm – Teelin Irish: Step Dance Carroll County Arts Center 91 W Main St Westminster, MD |
| Mar 7 at 12:30 pm – Ballyshaners 43rd Alexandria St. Patrick’s Day Parade (new) King and Cameron Streets Alexandria, VA |
| Mar 8 at 4 pm – Natalie MacMaster & Donnell Leahy and The Celtic All Stars Hylton Performing Arts Center George Mason University 10960 George Mason Cir Manassas, VA There are performances here that will raise you up and performances that will leave you misty-eyed |
| Mar 8 at 5 and 8 pm – The High Kings: The Rocky Road Tour (new) Rams Head On Stage 33 West Street Annapolis, MD Ireland’s leading folk group, The High Kings, are set to excite fans once again |
| Mar 13 at 7:30 pm – Cécilia Weinberg Center for the Arts 20 West Patrick St. Frederick, MD a powerhouse trio of Canadian musicians known for their traditional Celtic and Québécois music that brings the best of many musical worlds together |
| Mar 14 at 7 pm – Teelin Irish: Step Dance Weinberg Center for the Arts 20 West Patrick St. Frederick, MD this production showcases both traditional steps and innovative choreography |
| Mar 15 at 4 pm – Sean Heely’s Celtic Band Resurrection Catholic Church 3315 Greencastle Rd. Burtonsville, MD Featuring Champion Fiddler and Gaelic Singer Seán Heely, All-Ireland Men’s singing champion and multi-instrumentalist Kevin Elam, percussive dancer Agi Kovacs, acclaimed cellist Ellen Gira, and Brazilian-born percussionist Lucas Ashby. |
| Mar 20 at 8 pm – Danú Center for the Arts George Mason University 4373 Mason Pond Dr Fairfax, VA One of today’s leading traditional Irish ensembles Danú takes audiences on a musical journey to the group’s native Ireland through stirring ancient music and vibrant new repertoire. |
| Mar 29 at 7:30 pm – Gaelic Storm (new) The Birchmere Music Hall 3701 Mount Vernon Avenue Alexandria, VA Gaelic Storm takes a true blue-collar, hard-nose approach to touring, consistently traveling the US and internationally forging a unique path in the Celtic music world. |
| Apr 2 at 7:30 pm – Rakish (new) Weinberg Center for the Arts 20 West Patrick St. Frederick, MD contemporary folk duo Rakish embody earnest musical exploration and infectious playfulness |
| Apr 9-12 – Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann – North American Province 2026 Convention (new) Hilton Chicago/Northbrook 2855 Milwaukee Ave Northbrook IL |
| May 1 at 7:30 pm – Dylan Foley & Matt Mancuso (new) Alexandria History Museum at the Lyceum 201 South Washington Street Alexandria, VA |