Keeping the Craic Safe & Sound 🎶
To make sure everyone stays safe while we celebrate, we’re introducing a few small updates to our gates this year.
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At the Gates: We’ll have metal detectors at all entrances. It’s a quick process designed to get you inside and toward the music as fast as possible.
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A Helping Hand: If a detector pings, don't fret! Our team will just need to do a quick manual search of your bag or person to get you on your way.
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Traditional Dress: For those donning traditional attire, peace-tied weapons (like a ceremonial Sgian-dubh) are perfectly fine as part of your outfit! Just ensure they are properly secured before you arrive.
We’re looking forward to a brilliant weekend of music, dance, and great company. Thanks for helping us keep the festival a safe space for the whole family!
Frequently Asked Questions
Questions You Have Asked - or would like to
Each year we get asked many questions about the festival do's and don'ts, from guests, musicians, vendors and even our own volunteers and managers. This year we have added even more to this page of frequently asked questions, or more importantly, frequently given answers, to help everyone.
Where does the Festival take place?
As always, we return to our long-time home at Fair Park in Dallas, TX.
Fair Park is conveniently located just minutes east of Downtown Dallas, and Fair Park Station is a stop on the DART Rail Green Line. Our event occupies several of the majestic Art Deco buildings in the park, the Automobile Building (1936), Centennial Hall (1905), and Grand Place (1936) to name a few. The address is 1010 1st Ave, Dallas, TX 75210, and you can enter through Gate 2 on Haskell Ave or Gate 5 on Robert B Cullum Blvd for parking.
Who produces the festival?
This North Texas Irish Festival is produced by the Southwest Celtic Music Association, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit Corporation based in Dallas, TX. Membership in the SCMA is open to anyone and full details can be found on the SCMA web site. Special note: SCMA members get discounts to all events, including NTIF, so why not become a member? You can also join SCMA online directly from this NTIF website.
Is the NTIF handicap accessible?
Yes. There are small ramps at many locations to assist you getting up the curb, plus we have additional gates where our security staff can assist. Once inside the grounds almost everything is on one flat surface.
I can't walk far - any wheelchairs?
We don't provide wheelchairs except in case of emergency. There will also be additional handicap parking spaces in the Washington Street parking lot close to this entrance.
Will there be Scooter Rentals?
Unfortunately, we will not have scooter rentals at NTIF. We are sorry for any inconvenience.
When was the festival started?
The North Texas Irish Festival started life as the First Texas Ceili held on March 5, 1983, at Nick Farrelly's Lounge on Oak Lawn (now Pappadeaux Seafood). In 1984 the SCMA was formed and moved the North Texas Irish Festival to the Cultural Arts building in Fair Park. We have expanded and move into various other buildings in the park since then.
We settled in our present location in 2001 and are now the second largest event to be held in Fair Park. (The State Fair claims to be larger, but the Irish exaggerate a lot!)
Do I need to bring my own lawn chair?
There is plenty of seating available at all stages - up to 600 at the larger stages. Around the food courts there are both tables and chairs for visitors to use. In addition there are a number of seating areas within the outside park areas. So, that was the long answer - shorter one is "no"!
What hours are you open?
The festival will be open during the following hours: (subject to change)
- Friday, Mar. 06 | 6:00pm - 11:00pm
- Saturday, Mar. 07 | 10:00am - 10:00pm
- Sunday, Mar. 08 | 11:00am - 7:30pm
Ticket sales will end approximately one hour prior to the gates closing. Alcohol sales will end approximately 30 minutes prior to the end of the festival.
Please note. These are the times that the gates will close for the night. Food & beverage sales, vendors and most music performances close somewhat earlier.
Can I bring my dog to the festival?
Well-behaved dogs are most certainly welcome! In fact we encourage all our four-legged friends to come out and enjoy the weekend festivities. We do ask, however, that you keep them on a short leash at all times, be wary of other dogs and small children, and do bring a supply of plastic bags to "clean up" after your pets. Unruly dogs will be asked to leave, and to take their owners with them. We are not responsible for any incidents involving dogs - or their owners!
Can I wear my kilt?
Well, without it you may embarrass the ladies! Yes, you may wear your kilt, your renaissance garb, your ethnic costume, Leprechaun suit or whatever else you wish. In fact, we encourage you to get into the spirit of the event. We do ask, however, that you dress tastefully and not "expose" more than you need to. Gentlemen in kilts especially, watch for those strong March winds and dogs with cold noses!
Can I bring my own food?
Sorry, no. Since we charge a small fortune to our food vendors for allowing them to serve a wide variety of excellent food and wide selection of beverages throughout the festival, we do ask you not to bring your own food in. Prices are reasonable, considering the taxes and fees that we have to pay, and the variety is exceptional.
Baby food, dog food, and snacks to accommodate dietary restrictions are allowed.
Due to TABC regulations alcohol may never be brought into or taken out of the festival. We reserve the right to inspect all coolers and other carriers.
Can I Smoke?
No. Dallas City ordinance Section 41 prohibits smoking and vaping anywhere in City Parks. Not just in the buildings or within 50 ft, but anywhere in Fair Park. Please help us all and refrain from smoking or vaping anywhere in the festival grounds.
What is The Weapons Policy?
North Texas Irish Festival discourages the use of weapons as costume adornments, as the safety of our patrons is our utmost concern. Any weapon adornment must be “peace-tied” and otherwise protected so any sharp edges are covered and so that it cannot be drawn or wielded while on the grounds. Front gate and Safety Services personnel will determine the appropriateness of such adornments and how they must be “peace-tied”. Southwest Celtic Music Association (parent company of the North Texas Irish Festival) reserves the right to exclude a patron or participant from wearing or carrying a weapon on Festival grounds and to expel them for violations to this policy.
Pursuant to Sections 30.05, 30.06 and 30.07 of the Penal Code the North Texas Irish Festival does NOT allow the concealed or open carry of licensed handguns or the unlicensed carry of any firearms in the festival grounds:
Can I buy tickets online?
Purchase Tickets online here.
ADULT: Friday - $20 | 1-day - $30 | 2-day - $45 | 3-day - $50
CHILD (6-11): 1-day - $10 (incl. Friday) | 2-day - $15 | 3-day $20
Children 5 and under are FREE when accompanied by adult family member. Seniors 65+ receive $5 off (gate sales only) and SCMA Members receive 2 for 1 admission (gate sales only). Active military (with valid military ID) receive $5 off (gate sales only). Dogs are allowed in on a short leash with a $1 requested donation to animal rescue groups supported by the festival.
To support the city’s exciting revitalization of Fair Park, a $5 City-mandated restoration surcharge has been added to each ticket. These funds go directly toward the historic remodeling projects that will ensure the park remains a vibrant community landmark for generations to come.
Happy Hour - FREE Admission Times
Friday FREE Admission between 6:00 pm and 7:00 pm. Those in line at 7:00 pm will be admitted free of charge.
Sunday FREE Children Admission (11 and under) between 11:00 am and Noon.
Make your visit to NTIF even more special and take advantage of our free happy hour. This is for everyone on Friday night from 6-7 pm. And there is a special one for ages 6- 11 only. Free admission for them on Sunday morning, March 8th, from 11-noon. (free admission if you are in line by cut-off time)
Do you take credit cards?
The SCMA accepts credit and debit cards for purchases made at the Admissions Gates, Food and Beverage Concessions, Festival Products, Performer Products and SCMA booths. Many of the vendors take various credit cards but check with them first to avoid being disappointed.
Can I get cash at the festival?
Yes. We have several well stocked ATMs at the festival, two inside the Automobile Building, one adjacent to the Performer Products counter at the east end of Centennial Hall and one located in the Food Court.
Please Note: Coupons not needed this year
As a convenience to all our patrons, we are moving from coupons to credit cards only at all food and beverage concessions.
Is there close-in parking?
Parking at Fair Park is ample, and fairly close to the festival grounds. There will be a shuttle service to transport guests between the remote ends of the parking lot and the gate. Since this service is limited, we do request that the young and the fit walk the short distance and leave space on the shuttle for others. There is a small fee for parking, which is regulated by Fair Park. The NTIF has no control over and receives no income from this fee. There are handicap spaces - ask the parking staff for directions.
Take DART to Fair Park
Plan your trip to festival on DART. Take advantage of the DART Green Line stop at Fair Park Station conveniently located at the Front Gate.
Find schedules and route planning tools at dart.org
What if it rains?
The festival is now 90% under cover, and in heated buildings, so the show will go on. If the weather is very uncooperative, certain activities or vendors may be relocated inside the buildings.
What about snow & ice?
We have worked hard over the past three years to totally weatherproof NTIF. We realize that March in Texas can deliver some pretty chilling weather, but we live with it. It is highly unlikely that we will cancel the event. If things look really bad, we will work with our media partners to get the word out on radio and TV.
Can I take photographs?
Photographs may be taken for personal use only. You may certainly take all the photos you want of the family drinking a Guinness and eating an Irish Stew on the lawns. You may also take photos of the vendors and other activities as long as you obtain permission. You may take a limited number of photos of the musicians as long as you remain away from the stage and do not use flash. If they ask you to stop, please do so. Access to the backstage areas is strictly prohibited.
The making of any kind of audio recording of any of the entertainers is strictly prohibited, and is a violation of the performing rights owned by the musicians and the SCMA.
How do you pronounce Celtic?
When referring to the seven nations, their culture or their music, the word Celtic is pronounced with a hard "C", like Keltic. Only the sports teams, including Glasgow's famous Celtic soccer team, are pronounced with the soft "C", like Seltic.
What are the Celtic Nations?
The seven Celtic nations are at the extreme reaches of the original Roman Empire. They are the regions of Europe that were left unconquered by the Romans during the first Century, due mainly to the fierce resistance put up by the Celts and the relatively inhospitable lands that they occupied. The seven nations are Ireland; Scotland; Wales; the Isle of Man (a small island between England and Ireland); Cornwall (a county in the extreme west of England); Brittany (Peninsula in western France) and Galicia (a region of northern Spain just north of Portugal).
Do the Irish have Clans?
Yes. The word clan is derived from 'clann' meaning 'family' in the Irish and Scottish Gaelic language. The word was taken into English about 1425 as a label for the tribal nature of Irish and Scottish Gaelic society. Indeed, clans be found in many other parts of the world, including India, eastern Europe and the Arab world.
One notable example of Irish clans are the Tribes of Galway; fourteen merchant families who dominated the political, commercial, and social life of the city of Galway in western Ireland between the mid-13th and late-19th centuries. So, if you are an Athy, Blake, Bodkin, Browne, D'Arcy, Deane, Font, French, Joyce, Kirwan, Lynch, Martyn, Morris or Skerrett then you should certainly check out your ancestry.
What are the dates of the festival?
Always the weekend of the first Saturday in March.
The precise date definition is "The weekend that contains the first Saturday in March". The reason for that is that the first few Irish Festivals were held only on a Saturday, and were always the first Saturday in March. When we expanded to Sunday, and more recently to Friday, we retained the Saturday logic (if you can call it logic!)
That means that the we will be back on the following weekends:
- 45th – March 5-7, 2027
- 46th – March 3-5, 2028
- 47th – March 2-4, 2029
- 48th – March 1-3, 2030
What other festivals might I enjoy?
The North Texas Irish Festival is a member of the International Association of Irish Festival Producers. Members include Milwaukee, Pittsburgh, Dublin (Ohio), Kansas City, Long Island, and Cleveland amongst others. All of these festivals are worth attending and enjoying a short weekend getaway.
Closer at hand we are good friends of the Sherman Celtic Festival, the Austin Celtic Festival the Northeast Louisiana Celtic Festival and CelticFest Mississippi.
