10th annual Celtic Calling Gathering - March 3, 2026

All in downtown Charleston
SCHEDULE

Tuesday, March 3rd – Celtic Calling Eve 6 pm: ‘Twisted Laurel’ – Appalachian old-time tunes and Celtic jigs and reels, with some Irish soft shoe dancing. Enjoy a ‘Cornish’ pasty in the cozy atmosphere of Hagy’s. Hagy’s Irish Pub, 908 Quarrier St, Charleston, WV 25301- FREE

Wednesday, March 4th
9 am -7:30 pm – Children’s Story Walk and Make and Take Craft activities start today and continue every day throughout the gathering – 4th Floor, Kanawha County Public Library, 123 Capitol Street – FREE

6-8 pm: Acoustic Music Session/Jam- regular weekly music gathering with this week a Celtic twist. Come at 5 for great eats with musicians – The Bears Den, 405 Capitol Street – FREE.

7.30 pm: Film: ‘Ireland West Camino’, Director: Thomas Breiter will be present. Flora Lee Hark Cohen Cinema by WVIFF, 230 Capitol Street — Admission – $12 Adults, $7 Students. https://wviff.org/purchase/46027/

Thursday, March 5th
9 – 7:30 pm: Children’s Story Walk and Make and Take Craft activities – 4th Floor, Kanawha County Main Library, 123 Capitol Street – FREE

6 pm: “Little Cardiganshire: The Welsh Settlements of Jackson and Gallia counties of Ohio”. History presentation by Dan Rowbotham, Director of the Madog Center for Welsh Studies at the University of Rio Grande / Rio Grande Community College, OH. Think Bob Evans! He would love to speak to you if you have Welsh ancestry. Main Library, Room 311A, Kanawha County Main Library, 123 Capitol Street – FREE

The West Awakes!
5-7 pm: Happy Hour, $2 off all cocktails, 2oz pours, or flights. Handcrafted cocktail menu. Bullock Distillery, 121 W Washington St, Charleston, WV 25302

5-8 pm: Irish Stew and a Pint of Stout.
Dearg (Irish Red Ale), Stout and more at an award-winning small batch brewery. Rory Perry’s Irish Stew will be available to pair with your beer. – Charleston Nano Brewery, 320 W Washington St, Charleston, WV 25302

7-9 pm: The Charleston Rogues acoustic music session by these talented musicians, will transport you to the atmosphere of a pub in Ireland or Scotland – Wandering Wind Meadery, 422 Washington St W, Charleston, WV 25302 – FREE

Friday, March 6th
9 – 4 pm: Children’s Story Walk and Make and Take Craft activities – 4th Floor, Kanawha County Main Library, 123 Capitol Street – FREE

5-7 pm: The Gypsy Stars – Celtic and Appalachian tunes, Irish songs, and good eats. Hagy’s Irish Pub, 908 Quarrier St, Charleston, WV 25301- FREE

7 pm: The Charleston Rogues, complete band set: Short Story Brewing Charleston, 186 Summers St, Charleston – (Cover charge may apply)

7-10 pm: 7-10 pm: Celtic Ceili/Ceilidh for all ages – Dance to music by The Brickersons from Athens, OH, presented by FOOTMAD. Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, Fellowship Hall, in the rear of the Church, 1009 Virginia Street East, or enter adjacent Parking from Kanawha Boulevard – Admission – $10, Children under 10 Free.

7:30- 9:30 pm: Poetry Open Mic with James Cochran and Music by Dave Haas: Share your own verse or read a ‘Celtic’ favorite in cozy book nook with Celtic authors, art gallery and craft beers, coffee – Taylor Books, 226 Capitol St, Charleston, WV 25301 – FREE

Saturday, March 7th –
9 am: Celtic Calling 5K Kilt Run and 2K Walk to benefit Friends of Spring Hill Cemetery Park and Arboretum, 1555 Farnsworth Drive, Charleston, WV 25301. Sign up: https://runsignup.com/…/CelticCallingFriendsOfSpringHil…

Downtown Charleston Venues: All Events FREE unless indicated (Look out for wandering musicians) :
10 am- 3:45 pm: Celtic Village – Music and Dance Stage at Charleston City Center, Slack Plaza, 169, Summers Street. Find your Clan, crafters, children’s games, Wolfhounds of Appalachia and more. Dress in your finest for the Pageant and bring your pooch for the Dog Show.

Main Stage, music and dance: times subject to change.

10.30 am: Opening Pipes Tim and Maggie / Kinnfolk

10:45 am: Clash of Steel – Duelists of Appalachia

11.15 am: Kinnfolk – Roanoke-based young Celtic duo with their own and traditional compositions. Performing with them, Aerialist – CozmicWonderlan, our Welsh Dragon.

Noon: Celtic Calling Dog Show for Celtic and all breeds, incl. fancy dress.

12.20 pm: House of Hamill – former member of Enter the Haggis and Burning Bridget Cleary, light up the stage.

1.10 pm Clash of Steel – Duelists of Appalachia/DOA HEMA

1:40 pm – Lincoln County Cloggers

2:10 pm: Pageant with cash prizes to select Gathering Chieftain ($100), Chieftainess ($100), Folk Lore Creature($100) and more. Child members of the court, clan members will receive gift cards or merchandise.

2.30 pm: Kanawha Valley Pipes and Drums,
and dancers from Appalachian Lads and Lassies

2.45 pm: Children’s Tug o War

3- 3:45 pm: Kinnfolk – Roanoke-based young Celtic duo with their own and traditional compositions, performing with them Aerialist – CozmicWonderlan the Welsh Dragon.

Children’s Games Field –
1 30: Sheaf Toss. 3 pm: Caber Toss.

In the Park: Clan Tents, food vendors, Wolfhounds of Appalachia, Appalachian Willows & Brooms – Demonstrating basket making and offering Children’s Craft, West Virginian Wild and Wonderful Celtic Festival and Highland Games, Celtic Calling information booth/T-shirt sales, Clan MacLachlan Brigade – Jacobite reenactors.
Crafters – set up on Summers Street. Contact Rob@celticcalling.org to set up.

4 pm: Celtic Calling Capitol Street Parade – Lee Street Triangle to Kanawha Blvd Kanawha Valley Pipes And Drums, Beni Kedem Highlanders, Dancers, Puppets, Civic Organizations, Unicorns, Clans – It’s not too late. If you are interested in joining as an individual or group, please contact: sheila@celticcalling.org

Kanawha County Public Library: 123 Capitol Street, Charleston – FREE

9 – 4 pm: Children’s Story Walk and Make and Take Craft activities – 4th Floor

10 am: Storytime with Red Bearden Dragons – 4th Floor.

10 to 11.30 am: View into the Jacobite Rebellion – The Material Culture of a Highland Clansman in the Jacobite Army- History presentation by husband-and-wife reenactors. First, Hunter will share the life of a Highland Tacksman, and then in the 2nd hour, Breanna will share the woman’s role. Main Library, Room 311B

12:30 pm – Elementary Age Children Dance Workshop, with Appalachian Lads and Lassies, 4th Floor.

1:30 pm: Traditional Gaelic music with Patrick O’Flatherty – tales and music from old Ireland, former owner of Lewisburg Irish Pub, longtime musician – Main Library, Room 311B

Fife Street Brewery
10:20-3:45 pm: The Celtic Pony WV, (Irish Road Bowler Stout)

Sam’s Uptown Cafe, 28 Capitol Street, Charleston
11:30-2 pm: Sam’s Legendary Celtic Brunch – Menu changes yearly, but a place to possibly grab a Scotch Egg, bangers and mash, and Guinness stew.

Short Story Brewing Charleston: 186 Summers St, Charleston – FREE
1 pm: George Daugherty Memorial Tall Tales Contest—Short Story Brewing spin a yarn for cash prizes: $75 first place, $50 second place, $25 third place
5.30-7 pm: Father Son & Friends – Celtic-Americana and a large time. (Cover charge may apply)
8-10 pm: Father Son and Friends – Celtic-Americana and a large time. (Cover charge may apply)

Hagy’s Irish Pub 908 Quarrier St, Charleston, WV 25301- FREE
2.45 pm: Almost Heaven Dulcimer Group
5 pm: Lincoln County Cloggers

5-7 pm: The Charleston Rogues ‘World’s Greatest Happy Hour’ – High energy Pogues covers and scintillating traditional fiddle tunes – The Blue Parrot, 14 ½ Capitol Street – FREE

7:30 pm: FOOTMAD Presents: House of Hamill, boasting former members of Burning Bridget Cleary and Enter the Haggis, in Concert. Capitol Theater / Resurrection Church,123 Summers St, Charleston, WV 25301, Ticket information: FOOTMAD.org or Info: 304-729-4382

7:30-9:30 pm: Tim and Maggie Music – multi-instrumentalists in the cozy confines of Taylor Books, 226 Capitol Street, Charleston, WV 25301 – FREE

10 pm: Traditional Celtic Music Session, with host Dan Carney – The ‘craic’ is always mighty, an excellent place for a pint of Guinness and late-night food – Adelphia Sports Bar & Grille, 218 Capitol St. -FREE

Sunday March 8th
11 am: Kirkin O’ the Tartans, traditional church service for blessing of the tartans. Bagpipes, Children’s Puppet Story, Kanawha United Presbyterian Church, 1009 Virginia Street East.

Sam’s Uptown Cafe, 28 Capitol Street, Charleston
11:30-2 pm: Sam’s Legendary Celtic Brunch – Menu changes yearly, but a place to possibly grab a Scotch Egg, bangers and mash, and Guinness stew.

Noon – 4 pm: Children’s Story Walk and Make and Take Craft activities.

1 pm: Mountain Thyme with special guest fiddler Jenny Allinder. The all-women group Mountain Thyme has been playing Celtic and Appalachian traditional music together for over 35 years. Folklore Music Exchange – 91 Summers St, Charleston, WV, United States, West Virginia – FREE

2 pm: Irish Road Bowling at Celtic Calling, put on by WVIRBA, more details about the sport at TEAM WV IRISH ROAD BOWLING – Registration from 1:30 pm- Kanawha State Forest – FREE ($5 ball deposit)

4 pm: Celtic Theatre—5 Plays—Short Story Brewing incl. a bonus play read by local thespians. Thanks to Tip Jar Theatre for coordinating – Short Story Brewing Charleston, 186 Summers St – FREE

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS
West Virginia Lottery
Brewer & Company of West Virginia Inc
Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
Cindy McGhee
Donna James
Caldwell Insurance Agency
WTSQ 88.1FM