DUBUQUE, Iowa, August 15, 2026: The Irish Hooley Music Festival is bringing a full day of live music, dancing, food and Irish culture to Dubuque on Saturday, August 22, with the 21st annual celebration making its debut at the city’s Back Waters AMP.
The festival is scheduled to open its gates at 11 a.m., with entertainment beginning at 11:15 a.m. Back Waters AMP’s official calendar lists the event as a full day of live Irish music and allows attendees to bring their own chairs.
The move to Back Waters AMP gives the longtime Dubuque festival a larger outdoor setting and makes the event one of the notable upcoming gatherings at the amphitheater.
Gaelic Storm Headlines the Festival
The biggest name on this year’s lineup is Gaelic Storm, the Celtic music group known for its energetic live shows and Irish-inspired sound.
The festival lineup also includes Switchback, Ian Gould, Ballyheigue, The Lads and the Dubuque Fire Pipes & Drums.
That mix gives the event a broader appeal than a standard concert. Attendees can expect live performances alongside Irish dancing, pipes and drums, food and other elements of the festival’s cultural programming.
A New Home for a Longtime Dubuque Tradition
The 2026 festival marks a significant change for the Irish Hooley. After previous editions were held at other Dubuque locations, this year’s celebration is moving to Back Waters AMP at Q Casino + Resort.
Local coverage has described the 21st annual event as one of the first major events at the newer amphitheater and highlighted plans for a full day of music, food and dancing.
The festival’s organizers describe the Hooley as a celebration built around music, dancing, singing, friendship, family and community. The event has been a recurring part of Dubuque’s summer calendar for years.
What Attendees Can Expect
The Irish Hooley is designed as more than a headliner concert.
The day’s programming combines live Celtic music with Irish dancing, traditional pipes and drums, food and a community-focused festival atmosphere. The published entertainment schedule lists performances throughout the day, beginning shortly after the gates open and continuing into the evening.
The event is also a general admission gathering, and local event coverage notes that attendees can bring lawn chairs to the venue for the festival.
Advance tickets have been listed at $20, while children age 10 and under can attend for free according to local event information.
Why the Festival Could Draw Attention Beyond Dubuque
The Irish Hooley has several elements that make it stand out from a typical summer concert.
First, it combines a recognizable Celtic act with a long-running regional festival. Second, the 2026 edition is moving into a newer and larger outdoor venue. Third, the event offers a full-day lineup rather than a single evening performance.
Gaelic Storm also gives the festival a recognizable entertainment name that can attract readers searching for the band’s upcoming appearances.
The combination of a well-established festival, a recognizable headliner and a new venue creates a stronger news hook than a routine concert listing.
Back Waters AMP Event Details
The 2026 Irish Hooley Music Festival is scheduled for Saturday, August 22, at Back Waters AMP in Dubuque.
Gates open at 11 a.m., and the first scheduled entertainment begins at 11:15 a.m. The festival is expected to run throughout the day and into the evening.
The venue is located at 1855 Greyhound Park Road in Dubuque, Iowa.
A Standout August Event in Dubuque
With Gaelic Storm leading a lineup of Celtic performers and the Irish Hooley moving into a new home at Back Waters AMP, the August 22 festival offers a distinctive summer entertainment story for Dubuque.
For local fans, it is a chance to spend an entire Saturday around live music and Irish traditions. For the newly established amphitheater, it represents another opportunity to showcase its outdoor event space with a large community festival.
The Irish Hooley Music Festival is scheduled for August 22 and is currently the only event listed at Back Waters AMP during the August 15 through August 25 period on the venue’s official calendar.