A festival of Pipes & Drums
The festival proudly presents a packed program of piping and drumming that will resonate throughout the weekend.
Immerse yourself in the haunting sounds with themed concerts, masterclasses, and workshops catering to all skill levels. Be sure to catch the impressive Pipe Band and Drum displays.
Unforgettable showcase of talent and tradition!
.jpg)
The National Celtic Folk Festival transforms Portarlington into a vibrant hub of Celtic and folk culture over the June long weekend, from June 6 to 9, 2025.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the Festival, where over 60 national and international acts converge to create an exciting program. With events spread across more than 10 venues, attendees can dive into music, dance, theatre, storytelling, literature, and more.
Workshops, masterclasses, visual arts projects, and themed events, ensuring a rich and immersive experience for all. The bustling festival market features over 80 stalls - food trucks, artisan markets, Celtic crafts, session bar and interactive demonstrations. Additional attractions include ancient rituals by open fires, highland cattle exhibits, and Gaelic football displays, making it a festival for everyone.
The National Celtic Folk Festival transforms Portarlington into a vibrant hub of Celtic and folk culture over the June long weekend, from June 6 to 9, 2025.
Immerse yourself in the lively atmosphere of the Festival, where over 60 national and international acts converge to create an exciting program. With events spread across more than 10 venues - music, dance, theatre, storytelling, literature, and more.
The bustling festival market features over 80 stalls - food trucks, artisan markets, Celtic crafts, session bar and interactive demonstrations. Ancient rituals by open fires, highland cattle exhibits, and Gaelic football displays, make it a festival for everyone.
Gathering at the Hearth
Join us in a powerful and moving Welcome to Country, accompanied by a Smoking Ceremony that draws its fire from the festival’s hearth fire. These ritual honors the land, its First Nations custodians, and the shared spirit of the festival.
As part of this tradition, we will continue the annual practice of creating Clooties—cloths on which we inscribe our gratitude's and hopes for one another, the festival weekend, and the future.
This symbolic act fosters connection and reflection, adding a meaningful layer to our
shared experience.
Family
Something for everyone.
The wonderful thing about music and culture is it transcends age and can be enjoyed by everyone from the very young to the young at heart.
The festival includes quality children’s entertainment; a workshop program just for kids; displays, come, and try sessions and all the fun of the family-friendly Ceili dance party.
Dance
Get ready to hit the dance floor—we’ve got an exciting weekend of dance waiting for you!
The festival brings together dancers, enthusiasts, fans, and anyone with a passion for Celtic traditions for a vibrant celebration of movement and music.
With a full dance program designed for all ages. Whether you're a total beginner or a seasoned pro, our tailored dance sessions will have you swinging, leaping, and dancing your socks off!
Theatre, Story, Words
The festival is committed to developing a rich and broad arts festival, where the performing and literary arts feel right at home within our festival program.
Step into a world where stories come alive, words weave magic, and theatre takes center stage with an inspiring program featuring captivating performances, story, and thought-provoking wordsmiths.
From intimate plays and spoken-word sessions to workshops and interactive experiences, there’s something to ignite the imagination of all ages.
Visual Art
Art installations reshape the festival landscape into a dynamic, interactive canvas that resonates with the energy of its surroundings.
By blending visual artists and musicians, we demonstrate the transformative power of multidisciplinary collaboration, offering an immersive cultural journey that lingers long after the last note fades.
Hurling
The Geelong Gaels was founded in 1952 by a collection of Irish employees from the Shell refinery and fielded teams in both Gaelic Football and Hurling.
We were very excited to welcome the Geelong Gaels to the Festival again this year !
The Club played and demonstrated Hurling, an ancient Celtic game played in Ireland for at least 3,000 years in some form.
FUN FACT
On 12 March 1863, there was a meeting to choose a Geelong team for a game of Hurling on St. Patrick's Day against a country team. It was then a list of 6 rules that were proposed and seconded at the meeting.
While the first literary reference to the sport dates back to 1272 BC, the Geelong Rules appear to be the oldest known published set of rules for the game of Hurling ( 161 years ago!).
Visit the Hurling in the Free Festival Area.
Highland Cattle
We know how much everyone adores the Highland Cattle, and we’re excited to share that plans are in motion to welcome some of these charming guests to the festival!
Known as "Heilan coos" this iconic Scottish breed hails from the rugged Scottish Highlands and Western Isles. With their distinctive long horns and shaggy coats, these rustic cattle are a symbol of Scotland’s heritage.
Workshops & Masterclasses
Every year we create rich and diverse ways for participants to engage in intuition with a great range of workshops and masterclasses for all ages delivered by experienced tutors and masters of their craft.
Have you ever dreamed of playing the fiddle, mastering the bagpipes, learning Gaelic, or performing a Irish dance with your family? This is your chance to make it
happen!
Feeling curious but not ready for a full workshop? Pop into a “Come and Try” session and discover something new! Best of all, it’s included in the price of your ticket!