INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) — The Circle City Irish Festival returns to the Fountain Fletcher neighborhood on Friday. It’s the second year that Holy Rosary Church hosts the event.

The weekend will celebrate Irish culture through plenty of food, music and other demonstrations across two stages.

Festival president Kate Miller says they hope to go beyond the surface-level understanding of Irish Culture this weekend with a session planned to teach about Irish immigration to the United States.

“The Great Hunger was one of the reasons why most of the Irish in Indianapolis came during that time,” Miller said. “We had several other waves of immigration, but that was the main reason. We focus on celebrating all of that heritage and how it affects how we see our community.”

This will be the festival’s second iteration. Organizers started this version of the festival after a similar group ended the Indy Irish Fest in 2023.

“We decided that we should continue the Irish Fest in some form, celebrating our culture,” Miller said. “It’s very deeply rich in music and history. That’s one of the reasons why we decided to do this.”

About a dozen bands are lined up for some performances throughout the festival, including the St. Patrick’s Day Rouges Pipes and Drums Band.

Pipe Major Mike Brown says it’s an honor to keep playing traditional music in Indianapolis.

“We’re just very happy to be part of this,” Brown said. “I am just glad that this Circle City Irish Fest has grown and will continue to grow in this city.”

Tickets are $15 for both days of the festival. Kids 12 and under get in for free. There is free parking available at the Eli Lilly & Co. surface parking lot off of East Street.

Circle City Irish Fest

• Friday: 4 – 10 p.m.
• Saturday: 12 – 10 p.m.
• Holy Rosary Church, 520 Stevens Street, Indianapolis, Indiana

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