Irish Weekend 2026 in North Wildwood: September 24 to 27

Irish Weekend, officially the 35th annual Irish Fall Festival, takes over Olde New Jersey Avenue in North Wildwood from Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27, 2026. It is free, it is the biggest Irish festival on the Jersey Shore, and the five Coastal Collection hotels are all within a ten minute drive of the main stage.

Irish Weekend 2026 schedule

Thursday, September 24

• 8:00 a.m. Golf tournament opens the weekend.
• Evening: the Sean Cullen Memorial USA vs. Ireland amateur boxing night, with boxers from Dublin. Ticketed.

Friday, September 25

• 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Irish vendors and food along Olde New Jersey Avenue.
• Noon to 8:00 p.m. Free live Irish music and dancing on the main stage at Chestnut and Olde New Jersey.

Saturday, September 26

• 8:00 a.m. The Irish Jog 5K and one mile family walk on the Boardwalk, starting and ending at Seaport Pier, 22nd Street and the Boardwalk.
• 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vendors along Olde New Jersey Avenue.
• Noon to 8:00 p.m. Main stage music and step dancing. Beer gardens and the North Wildwood pubs run live music all afternoon and night.

Sunday, September 27

• Morning: Mass (check cmcaoh.com for the time and church).
• 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Vendors along Olde New Jersey Avenue.
• 12:30 p.m. The parade steps off down Surf Avenue. Arrive early; the sidewalks along Surf fill an hour before.

Getting there and parking

The festival streets close to traffic and nearby parking is limited on all four days. The easiest plan is to leave the car at your hotel in Wildwood and take a five to ten minute rideshare to Olde New Jersey Avenue, or walk the Boardwalk north toward 22nd Street on Saturday morning for the Irish Jog. The Wildwood hotels are an easier place to park than North Wildwood itself that weekend.

Where to stay for Irish Weekend

Every Coastal Collection hotel is in Wildwood, a short drive from the festival and a few blocks from the beach and Boardwalk. Late September is off-peak, so rates are lower than summer and the beaches are still free (no beach tags, in the Wildwoods).

Hotel	Distance to main stage	Good for
Paradise Inn, 235 E Wildwood Ave	1.6 miles	Closest to the festival, walk to the Boardwalk
Beachside Resort, 3700 Atlantic Ave	1.8 miles	Families, pool, beach block
Sunrise Inn, 107 E Lincoln Ave	1.8 miles	Quiet stay near the beach
Coastal Sands Inn, 4110 Atlantic Ave	2.1 miles	Groups, beach block
Sunset Beach Hotel, 4300 Ocean Ave	2.1 miles	Oceanfront, sunrise views

Check Irish Weekend availability for September 24 to 27. Rooms for parade weekend go early.

Irish Weekend questions

When is Irish Weekend in Wildwood 2026?

Irish Weekend 2026 runs Thursday, September 24 through Sunday, September 27. Thursday is the kickoff (golf tournament and the USA vs. Ireland amateur boxing night); the vendors, main stage, Irish Jog and parade run Friday through Sunday.

Where is the Irish Fall Festival held?

In North Wildwood, along Olde New Jersey Avenue between about 1st and 5th Avenues, with the main stage at Chestnut Avenue and Olde New Jersey Avenue. The parade runs down Surf Avenue on Sunday.

Is Irish Weekend free?

Yes. Admission to the festival, the vendors and the main stage entertainment is free. The Irish Jog 5K and the boxing night have their own registration or tickets.

What time is the Irish Weekend parade?

The parade steps off Sunday, September 27 at 12:30 p.m. down Surf Avenue in North Wildwood.

How far are the Coastal Collection hotels from the festival?

All five hotels are in Wildwood, 1.6 to 2.1 miles from the main stage: about a five to ten minute drive or rideshare, so you can leave the car at the hotel.

More on the season: Wildwood events calendar 2026. Festival details are published by the organizer at cmcaoh.com and by the Wildwoods tourism board; times can change the week of the event.

Planning a fall trip? See everything happening in Wildwood this October.