National Celtic Festival

Founded by culture and ignited by passion, the first National Celtic Festival took place more than twenty years ago in Geelong.

The first festival was started out of a desire to connect to Celtic culture, to bring people together and to celebrate celts in Australia. In its inaugural year, the event focused on classic Celtic celebrations, including foot-stomping music, good food and great craic.

Over the last 20 years, the festival has taken on a new form while staying true to its homage. After a significant move to Portarlington in 2004, the National Celtic Folk Festival has become a winter staple in the small, historic town, taking place over the June long weekend every year. Spanning over ten venues, the event now includes a wide variety of activities including Irish and Scottish ceili, bush dances, theatre, pipes and drums, Celtic martial arts and most recently, the Heavy Games.