The Wildwoods, NJ – September 17, 2026 – The 35th Annual Irish Fall Festival, the East Coast’s largest Irish Festival, is expected to draw thousands of visitors to North Wildwood Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27, 2026.
This festive, four-day event is sponsored by James J. Reilly, Division 1, Ancient Order of Hibernians (AOH). The AOH is an organization that fosters and preserves Irish culture and heritage. The festival is designed to celebrate Irish culture and heritage through a variety of exciting events throughout the weekend that are sure to entertain.
The festive weekend tees off on Thursday, September 24 with a golf tournament at 8 a.m. at Cape May National Golf Course, located at Route 9 and Fairway Drive in Cape May, NJ. The fee is $150 and includes green fee and cart, refreshments, a buffet lunch, and many prizes. Space is limited and reservations are suggested. To reserve a spot, please call the AOH at 609-729-0075.
The Sean Cullen Memorial Team USA vs. Team Ireland Amateur Boxing returns on Thursday, September 24! Boxers from Crumlin Boxing Club, Conor McGregor’s amateur boxing club, travel from Dublin, Ireland to face off against No Limits Academy from Rio Grande, New Jersey, and USA Boxing’s Mid-Atlantic and New Jersey Regions. The Dublin boxers travel all the way to the Wildwoods to explore everything the Jersey shore has to offer, all on one five-mile island. Their main attraction is to compete for their country in an electric matchup, as well as experience the East Coast’s largest Irish Festival. Matches begin at 6 p.m. sharp at Old New Jersey Ave and Chestnut. Rain location is located at Wildwood Catholic Academy in North Wildwood. Visit No Limits Academy for more information.
Vendors with Irish merchandise will line Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood Friday, September 25 through Sunday, September 27 from 8 a.m. – 7 p.m. Irish memorabilia and merchandise will be available for purchase along with Irish treats sure to satisfy any palate. On Friday and Saturday, FREE live Irish entertainment, both music and dancing, will be featured on the main stage at Chestnut and Olde New Jersey Avenue from noon – 8:00 p.m.; as well as music in all pubs and taverns. The live entertainment schedule for the weekend is as follows:
Friday, September 25
- 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – National & Irish Anthem
- 12:00-1:00 p.m. – Brothers McGillian
- 1:00-2:20 p.m. – The McCools
- 2:20-3:40 p.m. – Stall the Digger
- 3:40-4:10 p.m. – Timmy Kelly
- 4:10-5:45 p.m. – Ballina
- 5:45-6:10 p.m. – Peter’s School of Dance
- 6:10-6:50 p.m. – Emerald Isle School of Dance
- 6:50-8:10 p.m. – Galway Guild
Saturday, September 26
- 11:45 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. – National & Irish Anthem
- 12:00-1:00 p.m. – Brothers McGillian
- 1:00-2:20 p.m. – The McCools
- 2:20-3:40 p.m. – Ballina
- 3:40-4:10 p.m. – Timmy Kelly
- 4:10-4:40 p.m. – Shades of Green School of Dance
- 4:40-6:00 p.m. – McHugh & Company
- 6:00-6:50 p.m. – Emerald Isle School of Dance
- 6:50-8:10 p.m. – Broken Shillelaghs
Festivities on Saturday will kick off at 8 a.m. with the Irish Jog, a 5K run and 1-mile family walk in North Wildwood along the world-famous Wildwoods Boardwalk. The race begins and ends at Seaport Pier, located at 22nd Street and the Boardwalk. Registration is available online at www.RunSignUp.com and will be available on the day of the event at Seaport Pier. A $30 registration fee is required to participate.
Saturday’s entertainment continues at Bill Henfey Park located at 8th and Central Avenues at 10 a.m. with the Brian Riley Pipe Exhibition. The exhibition will feature some of the best pipe bands in the East. There will also be FREE Irish dance lessons on Saturday from 10 a.m. until noon at the Knights of Columbus Hall, located at 206 N. New York Avenue in North Wildwood.
On Sunday, everyone is welcome to celebrate the faith and heritage of the Irish at Saint Ann’s Roman Catholic Church, located at Glenwood and Atlantic Avenues, for a 10:30 a.m. mass. There will be a procession from the main entrance to the altar by the Protectors of the Faith Guards, the Cape May County Emerald Society Color Guard, and a liturgical bag piper soloist.
A parade will follow the mass at 12:30 p.m. at 13th and JFK Boulevard, proceeding North to 2nd Avenue, and continuing West to Surf Avenue, North to 1st Avenue, West to Central Avenue, and around the bend to Spruce Avenue where the parade will conclude at Spruce and Olde New Jersey Avenues. The parade will feature many fraternal organizations, bag pipe bands, Irish dance groups and much, much more.
The Wildwoods Island Shuttle service will be running in North Wildwood throughout the festival weekend: Friday from 10 a.m. to closing, Saturday from 10 a.m. to closing, and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. There is a $3 ride fare per person each way.
For additional information about the 35th Annual Irish Fall Festival, please call 609-729-0075, or visit www.CMCAOH.com.
For additional information about the Wildwoods, visit www.WildwoodsNJ.com or call 800-992-9732.
