About the festival.
Come celebrate the Irish and Celtic Music Festival in the heart of Yass! Set in a picturesque rural valley with rich Irish and Celtic heritage, the festival brings the town to life with live music, dance, poetry, and plenty of good craic.
The Irish and Celtic Music Festival began in 2018, inspired by Yass’s deep Irish and Celtic heritage. Festival Director Janno Scanes notes that the town has long-standing ties to Ireland, with early settlement by Irish free settlers. During the Irish potato famine (1848–1850), many orphan girls came to Yass and went on to become the matriarchs of families whose descendants still live here today. The arrival of the Carmelite Nuns and the many modern Irish families who now call Yass home further enrich this history.
The town’s heritage is woven into the festival itself. Historic venues such as the 180-year-old Lovat Chapel and the Yass Soldiers’ Memorial Hall, built after WWI, host performances, poetry, spoken word, and lively ceilis.
Outdoors, Banjo Paterson Park comes alive with Celtic markets across the weekend, while workshops offer the chance to learn traditional instruments like the whistle, flute, accordion, or harmonica.
Younger visitors are celebrated too, with a junior fleadh held on Saturday and Sunday mornings, making the festival a true community celebration for all ages.
Yass Soldiers Memorial Hall
Photo: Judith Davidson.
Yass Valley
Yass lies on the junction of the Hume and Barton Highways and serves as an important interchange, connecting Sydney, Melbourne and the Australian Capital Territory.
The Yass Valley is rich in both European and Aboriginal cultural heritage with the Irish playing a significant role in the development of the area. The main street is lined with beautiful historic buildings and some of the town’s other attractions include a Museum, Yass Railway Heritage Centre and Cooma Cottage, a National Trust property.
Yass has a good selection of eateries and accommodation, cafes and many great local specialty shops and is just a stone’s throw from some of Australia’s finest wine producers. Make Yass your Festival destination.
Get Involved.
Help bring the festival to life!
Volunteer to assist at events, or host a performer and welcome visiting musicians to Yass. Be part of the fun and community spirit!
Find out more below:
Volunteer at the Festival
VOLUNTEER NOWJoin the team and help make the festival happen! Volunteers assist with tasks like venue management, guest services, and event support in exchange for a “ticket-for-work” pass.
If you’re reliable, friendly, and ready to get involved, please complete the volunteer form below. We’d love to have you on board!
Host a Performer
HOST A PERFORMERShare the magic of the festival by opening your home to visiting musicians! Hosting a performer is a wonderful way to support the festival, meet talented artists, and be part of the community spirit.
If you can provide accommodation for a performer, please complete the form below. Your hospitality helps make the festival unforgettable!
