Annapolis Irish Festival

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Cultural & TraditionalAnnapolis
DatesDates TBA · Usually MayCheck locally before booking
Duration1 dayListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsDespite its name, this festival takes place
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Annapolis Irish Festival in Annapolis

The Annapolis Irish Festival, produced by Peake Events, runs each Memorial Day weekend at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville, roughly five miles north of Annapolis rather than within the city itself. The two-day event features Irish and Celtic musical acts, Irish step-dance performances, a Guinness Mile run, whiskey tasting, and Highland Games, with a 2026 schedule of Friday May 29 and Saturday May 30.

The Annapolis Irish Festival has been produced for years by Peake Events at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville, a location the festival's own materials specify as less than five miles north of the Annapolis Mall, situating the event just outside the city whose name it carries.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Despite its name, this festival takes place at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville rather than within Annapolis proper, a detail worth knowing before planning a visit around downtown Annapolis

02

The mystery stays covered

Its lineup regularly draws touring Celtic acts with real national profiles, Carbon Leaf, Gaelic Storm, and Scythian have all performed, giving the festival a musical caliber closer to a ticketed concert series than a typical community heritage festival

03

The city starts moving

Pairing a Guinness-branded competitive run with Highland Games strength competitions and novelty contests like Best Legs in Kilts gives the event an unusually broad range of programming, from serious athletic competition to lighthearted crowd contests, within a single fairground weekend

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Irish step-dance performances on a dedicated Heritage Stage and Highland Games strength competitions form the athletic and cultural core of the festival

Water and renewal

Living ritual

alongside novelty contests

The sacred route

Living ritual

Best Legs in Kilts and Best Redhead among them

The local code

Living ritual

and a Guinness Mile run that ties the festival's branding directly to Irish drinking culture alongside its music and dance programming

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually May

Getting around

Use the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.

What to wear

Fully outdoor county fairground in late-May Maryland warmth and humidity; comfortable closed-toe shoes are important given uneven fairground terrain, and the festival itself notes it is...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Stay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Tickets/cost

Check official or local sources for ticketed areas, paid stands, and same-year access rules.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map38.98 N, 76.49 WOpen in Google Maps

Annapolis, MD

Nearest airportBWI — Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall
TransportUse the city as a planning base, then confirm the exact venue, route, or meeting point close to the date.
Stay areaStay near the part of the city you will actually use, with a simple return route after the main event.

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Annapolis via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Annapolis, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for May.Compare faresFestival gearFully outdoor county fairground in late-May Maryland warmth and humidity; comfortable closed-toe shoes are important given uneven fairground terrain, and the festival itself notes it is wheelchair-accessible but not encouraged due to the ground conditions.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Annapolis Irish Festival?

Annapolis Irish Festival is listed for Past edition: 29 May 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Annapolis Irish Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Annapolis, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

One day is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Annapolis, MD

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLabceventsinc.com
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually May
Source statusOfficial source linked
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