Guide to the Irish Fair
Guide to the Irish Fair
Experience the sights and sounds of Ireland at Saint Paul's own Irish Fair!
With Saint Paul’s deep Irish history and traditions, it only makes sense that one of the largest and most authentic Irish festivals in the nation is held right here in the capital city.
Just because you’re not Irish doesn’t mean you can’t join in on the fun. The Irish Fair welcomes 30,000 people of all ages and heritages each year, and this year it celebrates 44 years!
Here’s what you need to know about the three-day celebration of all things from the Emerald Isle, August 9-11 at Harriet Island Regional Park.
WHEN
- Friday, August 9: 3:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Saturday, August 10: 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Sunday, August 11: 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
This family-friendly event is jam-packed with dozens of dance performances, live music, comedy, the popular Zero K race (which is exactly what it sounds like—three meters of heart-pumping exercise), Gaelic sports (hurling, camogie and boxing), a Celtic marketplace, a cultural area and, of course, Irish food and drinks. Featured entertainers include The Jeremiahs, Reverie Road, Wild Colonial Boys, The Byrne Brothers, and more across six stages.
TICKETS
Ticket prices for adults are $25 for one day or $50 for the weekend. Discounted tickets are available for Youth (13-17 years) and Seniors (55+). VIP packages are also available, and kids 12 and under get in for free.
PURCHASE TICKETS
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7723.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=eeb6866475207fe312aa6a099a5859b8 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7723.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=ba29b37cd83dfa2ba7b8f4afed47dab0 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7723.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=97546c61616ec633b968dba01147ec99 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7723.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=639224836e7c463abb0487d5ff54698f 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7723.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=8ea49370809991d3f868f9b7c6265fb6 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7723.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=f33531714e9b2ebee24df9b84e136042 1440w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7723.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=641cf9d230f454cecf0ef8225118b234 1920w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7723.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=a353268402aa4c7382aed51b43ee3e73 2560w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7723.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=626194466226ff4e7533fae0004c4293 3840w)
PLAN YOUR STAY
Make a weekend of it and book a stay at one of many nearby hotels near the riverfront.
The festival was created to support Minnesota’s Irish community by preserving and celebrating the past, present and future of Irish culture. All proceeds from the event and other donations are invested in supporting the Irish Fair's mission or in supporting Irish & Celtic cultural and other immigrant communities.
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7820.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=320&s=2024a94d046d74a16078c4da6075f917 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7820.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=540&s=d72a6c98a6b75211d03de5500cfb7d17 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7820.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=768&s=8ede7b19578dbbe8d86d744899bd340b 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7820.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1024&s=47628be85da626f85b5dfcbe5527665a 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7820.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1200&s=46d5a14a437a978f508d71d6ff2a6776 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7820.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1440&s=4a4085febf508617e1f034cfec141fdc 1440w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7820.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=1920&s=3dca22754f598195c867224dd21a660c 1920w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7820.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=2560&s=1c38772e6feda2e5be3f3fdbda78cf72 2560w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/DSCF7820.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&fit=max&position=50%2050&q=80&w=3840&s=2eb2950555721fe420f3b5ad31218245 3840w)
TRANSPORTATION
Getting to the fair is easy! Take the Green Line downtown to Union Depot and hop on a free shuttle (leaves every half hour).
If you prefer to drive, be advised that parking is limited along Plato Boulevard from Wabasha Street West toward the park. Most private businesses near the park will charge a fee to park in their lots.
For more information about parking and transportation can be found here.
Prepare for the event by visiting Saint Paul's many Irish pubs and shops as well as Irish restaurants, and don't forget to share all of your photos from the fair with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using the hashtag #MYSAINTPAUL!
Explore More
![People marching in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in St. Paul.](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st._patricks_day_parada_bagpipers_1280_720.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=b19b9374733774602bfb0bd96ed9aa93 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st._patricks_day_parada_bagpipers_1280_720.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=60036305327d7a4d3d51d35fe704d10c 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st._patricks_day_parada_bagpipers_1280_720.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=bcca1a8cbe499bf09ce020d9a82c7510 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/st._patricks_day_parada_bagpipers_1280_720.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=e9cdaca5c46554144216961877936b48 960w)
An Irish History of Saint Paul
A mini-history lesson on Saint Paul's Irish roots.
![Irish-fair-mn](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish-fair-mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=1ab828d49692374db781981565b9f5eb 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish-fair-mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=a581bdaacf7674b3bcce9fca57abe0bb 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish-fair-mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=accbe46e5f26c11f0ce81227035c1014 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish-fair-mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=bafa9135fd97ec20ce4ecdc1bab98e34 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish-fair-mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=5026977718e354f0c45fdec9832e5ea9 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/irish-fair-mn.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=b6eca140ea90238920546bd5598850f4 1440w)
Irish Saint Paul
If you didn't already know, Saint Paul is the side of the Twin Cities with a heavy influence from its first Irish settlers.
![](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/green1__large-slideshow.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=be0efdf3a9ff615b5fffab09deffebf9 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/green1__large-slideshow.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=93a2eb20ece83580abcd457d637a346a 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/green1__large-slideshow.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=2c542dba17f4dca54a28baffd0b004ef 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/green1__large-slideshow.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=471326efc5d5e8ed3296bfd5a33b4b9a 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/green1__large-slideshow.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=59cb896f4fc5de7d33a9c3a0b8754254 1200w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/green1__large-slideshow.png?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=1080&q=80&w=1440&s=405967b99e461a8fdf4db7775a24a306 1440w)
Irish Bars & Restaurants
Whether you're looking for traditional Irish food, pub grub or the perfect pint - find it at one of Saint Paul's Irish-themed establishments.
![close-up of two giraffes at Como Zoo in Saint Paul](https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/como_zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=240&q=80&w=320&s=e70525fb738d07d0d45f292c906224ce 320w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/como_zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=405&q=80&w=540&s=4b996e4f3b18489b0189181abf9f0a25 540w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/como_zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=576&q=80&w=768&s=d6ace13641559c90945375f24f429aff 768w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/como_zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=768&q=80&w=1024&s=ac9650cad2ca1718aa6ad71aaf52df6b 1024w, https://saintpaul.imgix.net/images/como_zoo.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&crop=focalpoint&fit=min&fp-x=0.5&fp-y=0.5&h=900&q=80&w=1200&s=50d68a2f3fd493e1c963ffc00ade21ff 1105w)
Free Attractions in Saint Paul
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Union Depot
214 4th St E, Suite 300 Saint Paul, Minnesota 55101 (651) 202-2700 Lowertown Website >