Festival kicks off one day after the halfway point to St. Patrick's Day,
bringing the spirit of Ireland to downtown Naperville
The luck of the Irish returns to downtown Naperville this fall as Naperville Irish Fest celebrates its sixth year on Friday and Saturday, September 18-19, 2026, at Central Park. Hosted by West Suburban Irish, the two-day festival brings together authentic Irish music, dance, food, culture, and family fun while supporting the organization's mission to preserve and promote Irish heritage throughout the community.
The festival begins just one day after the halfway point to St. Patrick's Day, making it the perfect opportunity to celebrate all things Irish before March arrives again.
This year's Naperville Irish Fest is proudly presented by Woody Buick GMC of Naperville as the Emerald Isle Sponsor, with Spennare Americas serving as the Shamrock Sponsor. The festival is also made possible through the generous support of the Naperville Special Events & Community Arts (SECA) Commission.
Festival guests can enjoy live Irish music throughout the weekend, performances by award-winning Irish dance schools, cultural exhibits from the Irish American Heritage Center, the Irish Culture Tent, unique shopping in the Irish Village, and a variety of food and beverage offerings. Returning favorites include the Irish Food Truck, Home Run Inn Pizza, and The Creamery.
Families will find plenty to enjoy with crafts, face painting, games, the popular Kids' Parade, interactive storytelling, playground activities, and photo opportunities with St. Patrick and leprechauns.
"There's something special about bringing the community together to celebrate Irish culture in the heart of downtown Naperville," said Chris O'Hara, Co-Chair of Naperville Irish Fest. "Whether you're Irish by heritage or simply Irish for the weekend, Naperville Irish Fest offers incredible entertainment, authentic traditions, and fun for every generation. We're also incredibly grateful to the Naperville SECA Commission for their generous support, which helps make this celebration possible."
Beyond celebrating Irish culture, Naperville Irish Fest continues its tradition of giving back to the community. In keeping with the philanthropic mission of West Suburban Irish, the festival will once again donate $25 for every volunteer who works the event. Each volunteer selects one of the festival's partner nonprofits to receive the donation in their name.
"Naperville Irish Fest is about much more than music and entertainment," said Linda Dimitropoulos, Co-Chair of Naperville Irish Fest. "It's about strengthening our community, supporting outstanding local nonprofits, and creating an event where families and friends can come together to experience Irish hospitality and culture. Every volunteer helps make a meaningful impact, and we're proud to continue giving back through our volunteer donation program."
Volunteers may designate one of the following nonprofit organizations to receive a $25 donation in their name:
ALIVE Center
Irish Community Services
Loaves & Fishes Community Services
Naperville Area Humane Society
St. Patrick’s Residence
The Institute of Traditional Irish Music
Tickets
Festival attendees are encouraged to purchase tickets in advance. Discounted advance tickets are available for $10 each or two for $15 through September 11, 2026. Beginning September 12, tickets are $15 each or two for $25. wsirish.org/IrishFest.
Event Details
Dates: Friday and Saturday, September 18-19, 2026
Location: Central Park, downtown Naperville (104 East Benton St., Naperville)
Activities: Live music, Irish dance performances, bagpipers, Irish cultural exhibits, children’s activities, sporting demos, whiskey tastings, food and beverage vendors, and more, including:
Irish Culture
Irish genealogy
History of the Mother Jones Project display
Irish book authors
Irish hurling & Gaelic football demos with a “batting” cage
Kids’ Activities
St. Patrick & leprechaun photo opportunities
Kids' parade, interactive storytelling & playground
Face painting
Home Depot wood crafts
Guinness & Whiskey Tastings
Guinness Tasting: Enjoy a guided Guinness experience hosted by the West Suburban Irish at Quigley’s Irish Pub.
Whiskey Tasting: Savor premium Irish whiskeys in a curated tasting session hosted by the West Suburban Irish at Quigley’s Irish Pub.
Both tastings require a separate ticket, which includes one general admission ticket to Naperville Irish Fest.
Entertainment Lineup
Pre-Fest on Thursday, September 17 - Celebrate the halfway point to St. Patrick's Day at Quigley's Irish Pub and hear the sounds of Character Fleadh the evening before Naperville Irish Fest.
Friday, September 18 – Fest Kicks Off
McNulty Irish Dancers
Mulligan Stew
On the Lash
Classical Blast
Saturday, September 19 – Day Two of the Fest
Firefighters Highland Guard of Naperville (bagpipers)
Bailey Murray Academy of Irish Dancing
McNulty School of Irish Dance
Joyce Boys
Bentley Academy of Irish Dance
Celtic Roots
The Chancers
Reilly
For additional information, the complete entertainment schedule, ticket information, volunteer opportunities, and vendor details, visit wsirish.org/IrishFest.
About Naperville Irish Fest
Hosted by the West Suburban Irish, Naperville Irish Fest celebrates and promotes Irish culture and heritage through a vibrant community event that brings people together. The Fest aims to foster a sense of unity, cultural exchange, and tradition while supporting local non-profits and enriching the lives of those in our community. In the philanthropic spirit of the West Suburban Irish, Naperville Irish Fest has a commitment to both cultural celebration and community support. wsirish.org/irishfest
About West Suburban Irish
West Suburban Irish (WSI), Inc. is a registered 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization based in Naperville, IL whose mission is to cultivate a genuine appreciation and understanding of Irish heritage, culture, language, music, art, literature, and sports across the communities in the western suburbs of Chicago. Our motto, "Friendship, Fun, Service," embodies both Irish culture and our approach to achieving our mission.
For 30+ years, WSI has cultivated a genuine appreciation and understanding of Irish heritage by fostering a robust social network of members, volunteers, artists, and enthusiasts across our local communities. Guided by our WSI Board, we've brought joy to thousands of people in the western suburbs of Chicago through our charitable giving efforts, parades and festivals, cultural events, and more. wsirish.org
Contact:
Colleen Doyle, CoDo Marketing, Inc.
Marketing Chair, West Suburban Irish & Naperville Irish Fest
630-222-8176
