No plans for the long weekend? Grab your kilt and get ready to dance the cold away at the National Celtic Festival 2019. Held over the June long weekend (7th-10th) in Victoria’s picturesque seaside town of Portarlington, lovers of culturally rich music, dance and arts will get together to celebrate all things Celtic and Craic.
The National Celtic Festival is the biggest of its kind in Australia; presenting concerts across 14 stages over four days with showcases, dance, theatre, literature readings, masterclasses and more.
This year’s music program includes The Young Folk, Maggie Carty & Máirtín Staunton, The Lumber Jills, Colin Lillie, The Maes, Claddagh, Rich Davies & The Low Road, Fiona Ross & Shane O’Mara and Bush Gothic.
In terms of interesting (and dare we say unique) events, the festival will also hold the Australian Highland Cattle show on Sunday 10 June in conjunction with the Australian Highland Cattle Society.
In theatre, the program includes Theatre C21, a one-woman black comedy set in contemporary Belfast that is an energetic, funny and compelling tale of how easy it is to slip into homelessness.
And in film, Kin and the Community explores cultural heritage and learn new skills in composition, film-making, research and ethnology.
As if this was not enough, the National Celtic Festival market features stalls selling an array of goods and crafts profiling local designers, Celtic wares and a variety of local produce. Visit clans and associations from across Australia with displays including Celtic martial arts and the resident Vikings who settle in for the weekend to present traditional Vikings practices of wrestling, crafts, and iron mongering.
From young blood to veteran artists, bagpipes to bodhrans, there’s something for everyone in 2019!
– Lourdes
Lourdes Zamanillo is a Melbourne-infatuated journalist. Originally from Mexico, she loves words, travelling, and (above all) feeling surprised.
The National Celtic Festival runs 7–10 June 2019 at Portarlington. Buy tickets now.
The venue is accessible.
Disclosure: The Plus Ones were invited guests of Penney & Logan.
Image credit: National Celtic Festival
