Milwaukee Irish Fest announces 2018 festival lineup

The United States largest Irish and Celtic celebration launches details of perfect four-day summer getaway for music fans.

Milwaukee Irish Fest, the world’s largest celebration of Irish and Celtic music and culture, is excited to announce the 2018 entertainment lineup. This year’s festival, August 16 – 19, will once again welcome hundreds of musicians and entertainers from across the globe. From fan favorites like We Banjo 3, to emerging artists such as Talisk, the four-day festival located at the Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront is not to be missed.

Nova Scotia showcase, plus TradFest Temple Bar returns

Milwaukee Irish Fest is excited to feature the “Nova Scotia: Celtic Heart of North America” showcase at the festival this year. With music and laughter always on tap in Nova Scotia, festivalgoers are invited to experience all that the beautiful Canadian province has to offer, including award-winning cuisine, unique culture and heritage, and a thriving music scene.

The showcase performers include:

- Còig

- Mary Jane Lamond and Wendy MacIsaac

- Scott Macmillan and Colin Grant

- Shannon Quinn

-  Shreem

- The Stanfields

Milwaukee Irish Fest is also thrilled to present artists from Ireland’s TradFest Temple Bar for a second year in a row, including the debut of contemporary folk trio, Kern. The band, which blends original material with musical influences from its County Louth home, won its spot in the festival lineup as part of a contest held during TradFest’s Live at the Hub event in Ireland.

“Through our travels we have the opportunity to meet amazing artists and organizations from around the world, and we are excited to bring a taste of Nova Scotia to Milwaukee this summer,” said Mike Mitchell, executive director of CelticMKE, the organization that presents Milwaukee Irish Fest each year.

“From the amazing showcase artists, to TradFest performers, new artists and returning fan favorites, our 2018 lineup has something for everyone.”

New to the 2018 festival

Festival organizers travel the world every year in search of the best and brightest in Irish and Celtic music. Often the launching pad for artists making their U.S. debut, Milwaukee Irish Fest is pleased to host a handful of new acts at the 2018 festival, including:

- Connla (TradFest artist)

- Daoirí Farrell (TradFest artist)

- Doolin

- Hank Cramer

- Jiggy (TradFest artist)

- Seo Linn

- Talisk

- The Coronas

Returning fan favorites

In addition to new artists, Milwaukee Irish Fest is excited to welcome back several fan favorites, who have developed a loyal following of festivalgoers both here in Milwaukee, as well as abroad. Performers returning to the stages at Milwaukee Irish Fest this year include:

- Gaelic Storm

- Natalie MacMaster, Donnell Leahy and Family

- Red Hot Chili Pipers

- The Screaming Orphans

- We Banjo 3

For more information on the 2018 entertainment lineup, including performer bios, or to purchase tickets, visit www.irishfest.com. Now through March 17, 2018, tickets are buy-one-get-one through the festival’s O’BOGO tickets promotion.

About Milwaukee Irish Fest

Milwaukee Irish Fest is the world’s largest celebration of Celtic music and culture. The four-day festival showcases more than 100 entertainment acts on 17 stages at Henry W. Maier Festival Park on Milwaukee’s lakefront. The annual festival occurs every third weekend in August. The 38th annual Milwaukee Irish Fest takes place August 16 to 19, 2018.

For more information, visit www.IrishFest.com.