Irish Fair of Minnesota

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Cultural & TraditionalSaint Paul
DatesDates TBA · Usually AugustCheck locally before booking
DurationSummerEstimate from available data
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsFew Midwestern festivals carry a founding
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Irish Fair of Minnesota in Saint Paul

Held on Harriet Island each August, this festival began in 1980 when Irish Americans in Saint Paul, including members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, set out to reclaim Irish heritage from the rowdier side of local Saint Patrick's Day celebrations. Known for over four decades as the Irish Fair of Minnesota, it rebranded in 2026 as Twin Cities Irish Fest while keeping its music, dance, and family programming intact.

This festival traces its roots to 1980, when a group of Irish Americans in Saint Paul, including members of the Ancient Order of Hibernians, grew frustrated with what they saw as a distortion of Irish culture in the city's Saint Patrick's Day celebrations.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

Few Midwestern festivals carry a founding mission this specific: it began not to market Irish stereotypes but to correct them, born from frustration with how Saint Patrick's Day had come to be marked in Saint Paul

02

The mystery stays covered

That origin still shapes the event, which favors live traditional and contemporary Irish bands, step dancing, storytelling, and genealogy resources over novelty

03

The city starts moving

Its move to Harriet Island in 2001 gave it a riverside setting with the Saint Paul skyline as backdrop, and the site now supports multiple stages, a full marketplace of Irish goods, and tens of thousands of attendees each August

04

The water draws everyone in

Its 2026 rebrand to Twin Cities Irish Fest was framed as a name change only, not a break from that tradition

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

Long-running traditions include competitive and exhibition Irish step dancing

Water and renewal

Living ritual

whiskey and beer tasting workshops

The sacred route

Living ritual

a riverside marketplace of Irish wares and provisions

The local code

Living ritual

and youth and family zones

Tradition 5

Living ritual

The festival also maintains a heritage and genealogy presence reflecting its founding mission to preserve authentic Irish culture rather than caricature it

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually August

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

Casual summer clothing suits Minnesota's humid August weather: shorts or light pants, a breathable shirt, and comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking on grass and pavement. A packable rain...

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 map44.94 N, 93.09 WOpen in Google Maps

Saint Paul, MN

Nearest airportMSP — Minneapolis–Saint Paul International Airport / Wold–Chamberlain Field
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 Saint Paul via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Saint Paul, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for August.Compare faresFestival gearCasual summer clothing suits Minnesota's humid August weather: shorts or light pants, a breathable shirt, and comfortable closed-toe shoes for walking on grass and pavement. A packable rain layer is worth carrying since river-park weather can turn quickly, and some attendees add a bit of green or a claddagh accessory for the occasion.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 Irish Fair of Minnesota?

Irish Fair of Minnesota is listed for August · Summer. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Irish Fair of Minnesota take place?

The festival is listed in Saint Paul, 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?

Summer 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?

Saint Paul, MN

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