Irish Days Returns to Historic Long Grove Sept 2- 4

Historic downtown Long Grove is bringing back its annual Irish Days festival Saturday, September 2nd through Monday, September 4th - this time bigger and better than ever! All eyes will be smiling over Labor Day weekend during this 3-day family-friendly celebration of Irish culture. Visitors are invited to enjoy bagpipers, folk bands, and Irish dancers in addition to Irish foods, beer, and the festival's always entertaining contests.

This one-of-a-kind St. Patrick's Day on Labor Day experience takes place in the heart of Long Grove, Fountain Square, and features some of Chicago's top Irish musicians, dance troupes, and entertainment. New this year is Irish Days After Dark on September 2nd, where the U2 tribute band Without U2 will keep the crowd rocking after the sun goes down. A favorite pastime at Irish Days is the Irish Dog Competition, where all dogs dressed in costume are paraded around with hopes to earn votes. Each day, a panel of children will judge the entries and crown an Irish Doggie King, Queen, Prince, and Princess. The contest is open to any dog whose owner registers them the day-of at the competition area located at the ticket booth. Perhaps the biggest laughs of the weekend come from the Best-Looking Men's Legs in a Kilt contest, where grown men who dress the part strut their stuff on stage. Interested male contestants should wear their best kilt (or borrow one from organizers for no charge) and register at the event.

The full Irish Days schedule of activities is as follows:

Saturday, Sept 2

10:45-11:45 - Academy of Irish Music

12-12:30 - McNulty School of Dance

12:45-1:15 - Best Legs in Kilt contest

1:20-3 - The Boils

3:15-3:45 - Shannon Rovers

4 - 5:30 - The Larkin & Moran Bros

6 - 8 - Without U2

Sunday, Sept 3

10 - Mass celebrated with Fr's Tim Fairman & Matt Jamesson, musical accompaniment Gavin Coyle.

11-11:20 -Trinity School of Dance

11-45-12:45 - Gavin Coyle

1-1:30 - Best Legs in Kilt competition

1:45-3-15 - The Dooley's & Jimmy Moore

3:30-4- Shannon Rovers pipe Band

4-4:30 - McNulty Dancers

4:30-5 - Dog Contest & Winners

5:30-7 - The Joyce Boys

Monday, Sept 4

11-11:30 - Hogan School of Dance

11:45-1:15 - Kathleen Keane & Jim Conway

1:30-2 - Dog contest & Winners

2-2:30 - Shannon Rovers Pipe Band

2:30-4 - The Chancers

Irish Days 2023 Detail Summary:

Dates: September 2 -4

Hours: Sept 2, 10:30-8, Sept 3, 10-7:30, Sept 4, 11-4:30

Location: 145 Old McHenry Rd, Long Grove, IL 60047

Admission: Complimentary (including parking)

Website: longgrove.org/festivals/irish-days/