The Schedule
At the Bellingham Celtic Festival, you can expect a combination of these entertaining and educational elements:
Concerts (performances, they play, we listen)
Workshops (learning stuff from people, mostly tunes, some talk/lecture style offerings)
Sessions (some led, some open, some big, some little)
Sing-Alongs (pub sings and such)
Other (other stuff!)
DID YOU KNOW: Current members of the Celtic Arts Foundation receive discounts on tickets for concerts and workshops at the Bellingham Celtic Festival? Sign-up or renew today at: celticarts.org!
This schedule is subject to change at any moment, without warning, for no reason…
Wednesday, September 17
3:30pm-5:30pm - Irish Session hosted by Hanz Araki (session)
Welcome Road Winery - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
6:00pm-7:30pm - Slash! (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
7:30pm-10:00pm - Pan-Celtic Session hosted by Slash! and Friends (session)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Thursday, September 18
5:00pm-7:15pm - Robert Sarazin Blake & the Dublin Letters (concert)
Boundary Bay - 1107 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
6:00pm-10:00pm - Irish Session hosted by The Devillies (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
5:30pm-6:30pm - Kera, Clea & Sam (concert)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
6:45pm-7:45pm - Darcy Noonan (concert)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
8:00pm-10:00pm - Fritillary (concert)
El Capitan’s - 1201 Cornwall Ave #101, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
8:00pm-9:00pm - House Wrens (concert)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
9:15pm-11:30pm - Pan-Celtic Session (session)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
Friday, September 19th
12:00pm-3:00pm - O’Carolan Session hosted by Len Feldman, Mhaire Merryman, Donald Terao (session)
Ono - 210 E Chestnut St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
A session for tunes composed by Turlough O’Carolan, still considered Ireland’s National Composer (Grainne Yeats) and “the last of the Irish bards (St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dublin).” Hosted by Len Feldman, Mhaire Merryman, Donald Terao.
12:30pm-2:00pm - All Instrument Workshop with Kalos (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$20 ($15 for CAF members), all ages!
Purchase tickets here!
12:30pm-2:30pm - Session hosted by Sam (session)
Welcome Road Winery - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
3:00pm-4:30pm - Zephan Knichel (concert)
Welcome Road Winery - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
A performance of Scottish smallpipes and border pipes!
3:00pm-5:00pm - Irish Session hosted by Darcy and Clint (session)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
all ages
3:00pm-5:00pm - Tea Time! (other)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
all ages
Irish shortbread cookies, corned beef tea sandwiches, egg salad tea sandwiches.
5:00pm-8:00pm - Merry Melodies Session hosted by Nell and Dale Russ (session)
Welcome Road Winery - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
This session welcomes melody players on traditional Irish session instruments. Last year, by the luck of the draw, we had the opportunity to play in a rare melody-only session, and we enjoyed it so much that we wanted to provide a dedicated space for one this year. Many of us get to play with lovely accompanists throughout the year, but don't often have the opportunity to hear the beauty of the unadorned melodies shining through. We love our treasured accompanists and look forward to playing with you at other BCF sessions! <3
5:00pm-7:30pm - Scottish Session hosted by Micah and Zephan (session)
Brandywine - 1317 Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
5:00pm-7:30pm - Pan-Celtic Session hosted by Rena and Claire (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
5:00pm-6:00pm - Beginning Irish Language Workshop hosted by Brian Ó hAirt (workshop)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
No experience necessary!
5:00pm-10:00pm - BCF Dinner Specials with the Devillies (other)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
all ages
Irish food specials available for dinner, live music from the Devillies from 7pm-10pm.
6:00pm-8:00pm - Pub Sing hosted by Peter & Mike (sing-along)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
Join us for a participatory session to share songs and stories from places where Celtic culture is present. We’ll cast our net wide to pull in material from Ireland, Scotland, Isle of Man, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, Cape Breton, Newfoundland and other locales. Bring something to share! We’ll have a handful of song leaders present, other leaders can join in, and there will be plenty of opportunities to participate in the choruses. We’ll also have a stand mic available for anyone that wants to be a front and center contributor.
7:00pm-9:00pm - Kalos + Mira & Lennart/Sølvstål (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$25 ($20 for CAF members), all ages!
This is a seated, listening concert.
Purchase tickets here!
7:00pm-9:00pm - Box Set (concert)
Admiralty Lounge - 100 N Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
reservations recommended, 21+
click here for reservations (recommended)
7:00pm-10:00pm - The Devillies (concert)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
7:30pm-9:30pm - Session hosted by Alina and Blake (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
Join Alina Larson & Blake Ritter (the Ceo Irish Music duo) for lively tunes from the Irish ceol rince (dance music) tradition. We may spice things up with the occasional lyrical song, but for the most part we'll be playing danceable melodies on instruments including (but by no means limited to) uilleann pipes, whistles, fiddle, & concertina... Bring an instrument & a set of tunes to share, or just come along for the ride! We like to have fun here :)
8:00pm-10:00pm - Pub Sing with Na Glasraí (sing-along)
El Capitan’s - 1201 Cornwall Ave #101, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
8:30pm-11:30pm - Pan-Celtic Rage Fest Session hosted by Hayden Stern Band (session)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
9:30pm-11:30pm - A Melody Players’ Irish Session hosted by Box Set (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
A session for Irish tune melody players.
Saturday, September 20th
8:00am-2:00pm - Celtic Fest Brunch with Five Mile Chase (other/concert)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
all ages
Live music performance from Five Mile Chase from 10am-1pm.
9:30am-10:30am - Sean-Nos Dance Workshop with Alicia Guinn (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$20 ($15 for CAF members), all ages!
Purchase tickets here!
11:00am-12:00pm - Penny Whistle Instrument Panel with Todd Citron and friends (workshop)
Presence Studio - 1412 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages!
This workshop will be a gathering of local penny whistle players sharing experiences and taking questions about the penny whistles that they play or have played. We will be offering our experience with different materials (wood, metal, plastic, resin, carbon fiber), with what keys are useful to have, and we will be sharing our opinions about and comparisons of different whistle makers and models. Although there may be a bit of tooting going on, this is not a penny whistle lesson, and it is not a penny whistle session. Look forward to seeing any current and prospective whistle players. Whistling panelists: Todd Citron, Hanz Araki, Sam Vogt, Paul Engelsberg
11:00am-12:00pm - Alternate Fiddle Tunings for Traditional Irish Music Workshop with Mira & Lennart/Sølvstål (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$20 ($15 for CAF members), all ages!
In this workshop, we’ll dive into the musical possibilities unlocked by tuning the four strings of the fiddle to notes other than the standard G-D-A-E. Alternate tunings are an essential part of the Scandinavian and Old-time fiddle traditions but they’re relatively uncommon in Celtic music. We’ll show how alternate tunings (such as cross-tuning, high bass, and more exotic Norwegian tunings) can open up a whole universe of novel and beautiful resonances in familiar Irish tunes. This will be a hands-on workshop intended for intermediate to advanced fiddlers — bring a fiddle you’re willing to retune!
Purchase tickets here!
11:00am-1:00pm - House Wrens (concert)
Boundary Bay Brewery Taproom - 1107 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
11:00am-12:30pm - The Green Monster Collection: Book Release and Concert with Micah Babinski (concert)
Boundary Bay Brewery Beer Garden - 1107 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Micah Babinski is a West Coast piper, competitor, teacher, and composer from Portland, Oregon. He has performed with the Renaissance Faire band Tartanic, led a Celtic trad ensemble called Dram & Go, and recorded with multi-platinum swing and Ska band The Daddies in Eugene, Oregon, among other projects. He currently competes in the professional grade in solo piping contests, and his compositions have been played by Grade 1 and 2 pipe bands from at least three continents. Micah's debut tune book, The Green Monster Collection, charts a musical pathway through life over 24 years as a composer, with tunes drawing inspiration from childhood, piping camaraderie, addiction, recovery, musical identity, fatherhood, and personal loss. With a foreword by Jack Lee and contributions from other well-known Pacific Northwest pipers including Zephan Knichel and Kevin Auld, The Green Monster Collection is poised to make a significant contribution to the body of contemporary Celtic music in North America and beyond.
DON’T MISS THIS!
12:00pm-5:00pm - A Celtic Festival Fair! (other/dance/session)
Hotel Leo Ballroom - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Stop by the Hotel Leo Ballroom and visit our Bagpipes for Beginners booth (try the bagpipes!), peruse the Celtic Arts Foundation Celtic library collection, see a currach (handmade Irish boat) up close and meet the builder, browse the wares by local crafters, Celtic Festival merchandise, bid on our Celtic Festival fund-raising silent auction items, listen to or join in with the pan-Celtic music session from 12:00pm-2:30pm, or try your steps at the family ceili dance from 3:00pm-4:30pm. Come check out the hub of the Bellingham Celtic Festival on Saturday!
12:00pm-2:30pm - Pan-Celtic Session hosted by Kalos (session)
Hotel Leo Ballroom - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
12:30pm-1:30pm - Ladies of Lindsay (concert)
Welcome Road Winery - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
12:30pm-1:30pm - Celtic Lore: The Autumn Equinox and the Wheel of the Year with Harper Stone (workshop)
Presence Studio - 1412 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages!
Since ancient times, Celtic peoples (and others all around the world) have lived in accord with the rhythms of nature and celebrated the seasonal cycles. In this class we'll examine how the autumn equinox fits into the eight Celtic seasonal festivals, what purpose these festivals served for the culture they came from, and explore the question of what it could look like to create an equinox celebration that is relevant for our current time and place.
12:30pm-1:30pm - Kerry Tunes Workshop with Colin (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$20 ($15 for CAF members), all ages!
Mixed instrument workshop on polkas, slides, and the music of county Kerry. All instruments welcome. Taught by Colin of Box Set.
Purchase tickets here!
12:30pm-3:00pm - Pan-Celtic Session hosted by Hayden Stern Band (session)
Brandywine - 1317 Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
12:30pm-3:00pm - Uilleann Piping Tunes B Session hosted by Lennart and Mira (session)
Ono - 210 E Chestnut St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Come join us to play tunes from the Irish uilleann piping tradition, particularly music from the repertoires of Willie Clancy and Seamus Ennis. This is a flat-pitch session — please bring an instrument tuned in the key of B (natural).
1:00pm-2:00pm - Ceo (concert)
Boundary Bay Brewery Beer Garden - 1107 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
1:00pm-3:00pm - Bottle of Smoke (concert)
Boundary Bay Brewery (Railroad Ave. Stage) - 1107 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
2:00pm-3:00pm - Penny Whistle Fundamentals with Hanz Araki (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$20 ($15 for CAF members), all ages!
The penny whistle (or tin whistle, or just the whistle) is truly an instrument anyone can learn, and one that can take a lifetime to perfect. For most of us, this means improving our breath control, and adding and refining ornamentation and technique. It's also important to identify the sound we want, and what may be the best way for each individual player to reach that goal. Join flute and whistle player Hanz Araki in building a strong foundation for you to take with you on your whistle journey, or get a new perspective on techniques you may already have. Questions will be answered! Tunes will be played!
Purchase tickets here!
2:00pm-3:00pm - The Impure Drop: Expanding the Boundaries of Irish Traditional Music with Harper Stone (workshop)
Presence Studio - 1412 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages!
Can a music be traditional and innovative at the same time? Indeed much of 'traditional' Irish music today sounds the way it does because of exploratory, inventive musicians of previous generations. We'll explore many exciting branches of new Irish music, which explore new horizons while still firmly rooted in the rich soil of tradition.
2:00pm-4:00pm - Whisky Meets Celtic Spirit (other)
Hotel Leo (Amendment 21) - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
$20, 21+
As part of the Bellingham Celtic Festival weekend, Hotel Leo invites you to a special whisky tasting at Amendment 21 in Downtown Bellingham. Each ticket is $20 and includes your flight. Space is limited to maintain an intimate atmosphere, so early booking is encouraged. Whether you’re a seasoned whisky enthusiast or simply curious to explore, this event offers a relaxed yet enriching experience.
Reserve your place here!
2:30pm-3:30pm - Sam & Rosie (concert)
Boundary Bay Brewery Beer Garden - 1107 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
3:00pm-4:30pm - All Ages Ceili Dance with Alicia Guinn (dance)
Hotel Leo Ballroom - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Come learn a few steps for fun Irish social dancing with live music from Box Set. No experience required!
3:00pm-5:30pm - Cozy Irish Tune Session hosted by Katie Bunge (session)
Brandywine - 1317 Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Come join a cozy Irish session where the goal is to create an atmosphere of warmth and camaraderie. We'll chase the feeling of teolaí, the Irish word for warmth and coziness, with a focus on concertina-friendly favorites from Clare and Galway. Bring hornpipes, single reels, slides, flings, and songs. Please let me know at the start of the session if you'd like to sing. Let's let these old melodies shine and sit in the warmth of music and community as summer turns to fall.
3:00pm-5:00pm - Tea Time! (other)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
all ages
Irish shortbread cookies, corned beef tea sandwiches, egg salad tea sandwiches.
3:00pm-5:30pm - Irish Session hosted by Michael Connolly (session)
Ono - 210 E Chestnut St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
3:30pm-4:30pm - Playing For Dances Workshop with Dale Russ (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$20 ($15 for CAF members), all ages!
A workshop of tips on how to play for céilí, set, competition, and solo Irish dancing, and a little bit of contra. We’ll talk about appropriate tune types - including the differences and similarities between single jigs, double jigs and slides! - tempos, and what works/doesn’t work for the different types of dance. We might get into how to build a set of dance tunes if there’s time. Dance shoes not required!
Purchase tickets here!
4:00pm-5:00pm - Pajamajam (concert)
Boundary Bay Brewery Beer Garden - 1107 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
5:00pm-10:00pm - BCF Dinner Specials with Na Glasraí (other)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
all ages
Irish food specials available for dinner, live music from Na Glasraí from 7pm-10pm.
5:30pm-6:30pm - Box Set (concert)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
5:30pm-7:30pm - Moving Hats (concert)
Welcome Road Winery - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
5:30pm-7:00pm - Hayden Stern Band (concert)
Boundary Bay Brewery - 1107 Railroad Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
5:30pm-7:30pm - Scottish Session hosted by Micah and Zephan (session)
Ono - 210 E Chestnut St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
6:30pm-8:30pm - Nell and Dale Russ, Darcy Noonan and Clint, Alicia Guinn (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$20 ($15 for CAF members), all ages!
Purchase tickets here!
7:00pm-10:00pm - Na Glasraí (concert)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
7:00pm-11:30pm - Pan-Celtic Session (session)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
9:00pm-11:30pm - A Melody Players’ Irish Session hosted by Box Set (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
A session for Irish tune melody players.
Sunday, September 21st
8:00am-2:00pm - Celtic Fest Brunch with Giant’s Causeway Duo and Schmid + Guest (other/concert)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
all ages
Live music performances from Giant’s Causeway Duo from 10am-11:15am, and Schmid + Guest from 11:45am-1pm.
10:00am-11:00am - Humorous Sean-nós Songs from Donegal Workshop with Niall Ó Murchú (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$20 ($15 for CAF members), all ages!
In this workshop we'll listen to and practice singing one or two humorous, slightly ribald, Irish (Gaelic) songs from Donegal, An Seanduine Dóite associated with the singer Gearóidín Breathnach (Gearóidín Neddy Frank) and Níl Sé 'na Lá sung by Brian Ó Domhnaill (Brian Danny Minnie). Donegal songs often have a chorus or refrain for everyone to sing, so we'll start with the choruses and maybe hydro-plane a few verses.
Purchase tickets here!
10:00am-11:15am - Giant’s Causeway Duo (concert)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
all ages
Live music performance during Hotel Leo’s Celtic Festival Brunch. Giant’s Causeway Duo 10am-11:15am and Schmid + Guest 11:45am-1pm.
11:15am-12:15pm - Learn Irish Tunes Faster Workshop with Darcy Noonan (workshop)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$20 ($15 for CAF members), all ages!
Learn Irish tunes faster and better! Tricks and tools of the trade from a Suzuki violin teacher.
Purchase tickets here!
11:45am-1:00pm - Schmid + Guest (concert)
Hotel Leo Lounge - 1224 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
all ages
Live music performance during Hotel Leo’s Celtic Festival Brunch. Giant’s Causeway Duo 10am-11:15am and Schmid + Guest 11:45am-1pm.
12:00pm-2:00pm - Gentle Afternoon Session hosted by Russell Chan (session)
Ono - 210 E Chestnut St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
This is a session concentrating on slower aires, ballads, laments, and songs that don’t fit in with jigs and reels. These are songs that people and audience members might know the lyrics to and are welcome to sing along.
12:30pm-2:30pm - Irish Session and Songs hosted by Na Glasraí (session)
Brandywine - 1317 Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
12:30pm-1:30pm - Maren, Celine, and Friends (concert)
Welcome Road Winery - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
1:30pm-2:30pm - Kids’ Session hosted by Maren, Celine, and Friends (session)
Welcome Road Winery - 300 W Champion St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Adults welcome, too!
2:15pm-4:15pm - Your Favorite Tunes and Then Some Session hosted by Sky and Liam (session)
Ono - 210 E Chestnut St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Come play our favorite, best known tunes and together we'll try our hand at making anew with improvisation and play. Be prepared for cacophony and unexpected delight.
2:30pm-4:30pm - Gallowglass & Steeplechase (concert)
The Blue Room - 202 E Holly St. #301, Bellingham, WA 98225
$25 ($20 for CAF members), all ages!
This is a seated, listening concert.
Purchase tickets here!
2:30pm-4:30pm - Session hosted by Alina and Blake (session)
Brandywine - 1317 Commercial St, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, all ages
Join Alina Larson & Blake Ritter (the Ceo Irish Music duo) for lively tunes from the Irish ceol rince (dance music) tradition. We may spice things up with the occasional lyrical song, but for the most part we'll be playing danceable melodies on instruments including (but by no means limited to) uilleann pipes, whistles, fiddle, & concertina... Bring an instrument & a set of tunes to share, or just come along for the ride! We like to have fun here :)
4:30pm-8:30pm - Irish Session for All Instruments hosted by the Devillies (session)
Uisce - 1409 Cornwall Ave, Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+
All instrumentation and songs welcome!
5:00pm-8:30pm - Pan-Celtic Session (session)
Honey Moon - 1053 N State St (in the alley), Bellingham, WA 98225
free, 21+