Irish American Heritage Center

10/02/2026

☕ SAVE THE DATE — CHRISTMAS TEA IS RETURNING TO THE IAHC! 🎄

One of our most beloved holiday traditions is coming back! Join us on Saturday, December 12 for the annual Christmas Tea at the IAHC, a festive afternoon filled with tea, delicious sweets and savories, holiday cheer, and wonderful company. ✨🍰

But if Christmas Tea is on your holiday wish list, you’ll want to mark your calendar AND set your alarm! ⏰

🎟️ TICKETS GO ON SALE MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2 AT 12 PM!

Christmas Tea is one of our most popular events of the entire year and typically sells out within the first 24 hours of tickets being released. Seating is extremely limited, and once tickets are gone, they’re gone!

🎄 Christmas Tea at the IAHC
📅 Saturday, December 12
📍 Erin Ballroom, Irish American Heritage Center
🎟️ Tickets released Monday, November 2 at NOON

For now, save the date, gather your friends and family, and get ready for an afternoon of tea, treats, tradition, and Christmas cheer! ☕🎁🎄✨

https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F55655

10/01/2026

📚✍️ FROM ANCESTRY TO ARTWORK — A SPECIAL OPEN HOUSE CHICAGO WORKSHOP! ☘️

How do you take the names, dates, photographs, memories, and stories in your family history and turn them into something more?

Join author Robert Patrick Conlon on Saturday, October 17 at 2 PM for From Ancestry to Artwork, a special literary writing workshop happening during Open House Chicago weekend at the IAHC!

Drawing from his experience researching and writing Celtic Knots, Conlon will explore how he traced his grandfather’s journey from Ireland to Chicago and transformed that history into historical fiction.

Attendees will learn about:

📜 Researching Irish ancestry and genealogical records
📸 Using family documents, photographs, interviews, newspapers, maps, and archives
✍️ Balancing historical fact with creative storytelling
🌳 Overcoming common genealogy roadblocks
📖 Preserving your own family stories through writing and family history journals

Whether you’re an aspiring writer, genealogy enthusiast, or simply curious about the stories behind your own family tree, this workshop offers a fascinating look at how ancestry can become artwork—and how the stories of past generations can continue to be told.

📅 Saturday, October 17
🕑 2:00 PM
📍 Irish American Heritage Center

🏛️ Part of Open House Chicago Weekend

☘️ Join us and discover where your own family story might take you!

RSVP HERE: https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F59749

09/30/2026

🍀 TONIGHT COULD BE YOUR LUCKY NIGHT! 🎱

Bingo is back TONIGHT, Wednesday, September 30, at the Fifth Province Pub! Join us for another night of bingo, prizes, pub favorites, cold drinks, and plenty of craic! 🎉
Bring your friends, grab a stack of cards, order your favorite drink, and settle in for one of our favorite midweek traditions. Whether you’re a bingo regular or joining us for the first time, all you need is a little luck! 🤞

📅 TONIGHT — Wednesday, September 30
🚪 Doors Open: 6:00 PM
🎱 First Call: 7:00 PM
🎟️ $10 per card — purchase at the door
🔞 21+

🍔🍻 The Fifth Province Pub will be open and serving food and drinks throughout the evening.

Will tonight be your lucky night? Round up your bingo crew and we’ll see you at the IAHC! 🏆☘️

09/29/2026

☘️ OUR CENTER. OUR FUTURE. — THE 2026/27 IAHC ANNUAL APPEAL IS UNDERWAY! 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

The Irish American Heritage Center is more than a building. It’s where we gather with family and friends, celebrate our heritage, hear our music, share our stories, welcome visitors, and pass Irish and Irish American traditions on to the next generation.

This year, we’re asking our community to help us raise $100,000 to preserve, improve, and invest in the building and spaces that make everything we do possible. 🏛️💚

Funds raised will support essential projects throughout the Center, including building tuck-pointing, flooring and refinishing in heavily used spaces, parking lot maintenance, new air-conditioning units in our rental rooms, updated window treatments, and new tents for our outdoor festivals and events.

And there’s even more reason to give now:

✨ THE FIRST $25,000 RAISED WILL BE MATCHED DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR thanks to the incredible generosity of an IAHC member! ✨

That means:

$50 becomes $100
$250 becomes $500
$500 becomes $1,000

Every donation—large or small—helps us care for the Center today while protecting it for the generations that will call it home tomorrow.

💚 Help us reach our $100,000 goal and make your gift go twice as far during our matching challenge.

Our Center. Our Future. Together, let’s preserve what previous generations built and prepare it for the generations still to come. ☘️

DONATE HERE: https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/campaigns/IAHC_Annual_Appeal_2026-27

09/28/2026

✈️☘️ YOUR TICKET TO IRELAND COULD BE JUST $20! 🇮🇪

The IAHC Aer Lingus Raffle is BACK, and one lucky winner will start 2027 with an incredible trip to Ireland on the horizon!

🎉 GRAND PRIZE: TWO ROUND-TRIP AER LINGUS TICKETS TO DUBLIN, IRELAND! ✈️🇮🇪

Whether you’re dreaming of wandering the streets of Dublin, visiting family, exploring the countryside, or enjoying a proper pint, your Irish getaway could begin with just one raffle ticket!

🎟️ $20 each | 3 for $50

Tickets are available online, in person at the IAHC, or by mail, and the winning ticket will be drawn during our Women’s Christmas / Nollaig na mBan celebration on January 6, 2027! 🌹☘️

Best of all, every ticket purchased supports the Irish American Heritage Center and our nonprofit mission to preserve, promote, and celebrate Irish and Irish American culture. 💚

🇮🇪 IRELAND IS CALLING… WILL YOU BE THE ONE ANSWERING? ✈️

🎟️ Get your raffle tickets today!

Blackout dates apply. Taxes, security fees, and airport fees are not included.

Raffle Tickets: https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F55664

09/27/2026

👻 GHOULS & GAMES: HALLOWEEN BINGO IS BACK! 🎃

Grab your favorite ghouls, throw on your best costume, and get ready for a frighteningly fun night at the Irish American Heritage Center! Ghouls & Games: Halloween Bingo returns on Saturday, October 24 with bingo, cash prizes, raffles, drinks, costumes, and plenty of Halloween mischief. 🕸️💀

We’ll be playing for some seriously wicked prizes throughout the night—including a $500 CASH GRAND PRIZE! 💰 Plus, everyone who comes in costume gets a FREE raffle entry, and we’ll be awarding prizes for some of the best looks of the night during our Halloween Costume Contest! 🧛‍♀️🧙‍♂️

🎃 Saturday, October 24
🚪 Doors Open: 6 PM
🎱 Bingo: 7–11 PM
🎟️ $30 per player | $175 table of six
🔞 21+ only
📍 Erin Ballroom | Irish American Heritage Center

Whether you’re a bingo regular or just looking for a fun Halloween night out, come eat, drink, dress up, and test your luck with us!

👻 Costumes highly encouraged. Luck optional. A killer night guaranteed. 🎃☘️

https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F55732

09/26/2026

🍂 Our Fall Watercolor Class Series is filling up fast! 🎨

We’re excited to share that our Thursday evening session is officially SOLD OUT! But if you’ve been hoping to join us this fall, there’s still time—a limited number of spots remain in our Thursday morning session.

Beginning October 22, students will spend four Thursday mornings exploring watercolor techniques, developing their skills, and creating alongside fellow artists in a welcoming, relaxed environment. The series concludes with an extended Saturday session on November 14 for even more time to paint and create.

🖌️ Thursday Morning Series:
October 22, 29 & November 5, 12 | 10:30 AM–12:30 PM
Extended Session: Saturday, November 14 | 10:30 AM–2:30 PM

With classes limited to just 15 students, our remaining morning spots are expected to go quickly too!

✨ Don’t wait to sign up—reserve your spot before the morning session sells out as well!

https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F57948

09/26/2026

🎃🔮 A little spooky, a little magical, and a whole lot of fun—Windy City Witch Fest is coming to the IAHC! ☘️✨

We’re excited to welcome Windy City Witch Fest to the Erin Ballroom on Friday, October 9 and Saturday, October 10 as a special cultural partnership event! Spend the weekend browsing an eclectic mix of local artists, makers, vendors, psychics, tarot readers, and more, all in a festive atmosphere perfect for the Halloween season. 👻🍂

As part of our cultural partnership, the IAHC will also present a special historical and cultural display exploring Ireland’s connections to Samhain, the origins of Halloween, and the folklore and traditions surrounding witches and the supernatural in Ireland. 🇮🇪📜

Whether you come for the vendors, the history, the Halloween vibes, or simply something different to do this October, there will be plenty to discover!

📅 Friday, October 9 | 12–7 PM
📅 Saturday, October 10 | 11 AM–6 PM
📍 Erin Ballroom at the Irish American Heritage Center

Come celebrate the season with some good old-fashioned spooky fun—and discover a little Irish history along the way! 🎃☘️🔮

https://irish-american.org/windy-city-witch-fest

09/26/2026

☕📚 Tea, literature, and a little history—join us for our next Saturday Morning Tea!

On Saturday, October 17 at 11 AM, the IAHC Saturday Morning Tea Series returns for a special gathering exploring the life and work of Harriet Beecher Stowe, acclaimed author of the groundbreaking 1852 novel Uncle Tom’s Cabin.

Enjoy a traditional tea service complete with tea sandwiches, freshly baked scones, cookies, desserts, seasonal fruit, and plenty of tea as we explore Stowe’s life, writing, historical influence, and the remarkable story surrounding one of the most widely read and debated novels of the 19th century. 📖

Spend your Saturday morning with us for a welcoming combination of tea, literature, history, and conversation at the Irish American Heritage Center. ☘️

📅 Saturday, October 17
🕚 11:00 AM
🎟️ Tickets: $35

Seats are limited, so reserve yours today and join us for tea! ☕✨

https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F55154

09/26/2026

☘️ Get creative during Open House Chicago at the IAHC! 🎃

Join us on Sunday, October 18 from 1–3 PM for an Intro to Block Printing Workshop led by local IAHC artist Caroline Padula!

Perfect for beginners, this hands-on workshop will introduce you to the basics of linoleum block printing, from carving and inking your design to creating your own finished prints. Bring your own design or get inspired by Irish, Celtic, and spooky fall themes—including some funky Celtic jack-o’-lanterns! 🖌️

No previous printmaking experience is necessary. Due to the use of sharp linocutting tools, participants must be ages 16+.

🎟️ $20 for IAHC Members | $30 for Non-Members

Space is limited, so advance registration is strongly encouraged! Visit the event page for the full supply list and to reserve your spot.

Register for the Intro to Block Printing Workshop on our website!

https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F59741

09/25/2026

09/25/2026

Help us create a piece of IAHC history! 🎨

As part of Open House Chicago, join us on Sunday, October 18 from 11 AM–2 PM for our Community Mural Painting Day: Ireland and the Making of America, led by Chicago artist Ken Klopack!

In celebration of America’s 250th anniversary, we’ll work together to create a large-scale mural honoring the Irish men and women whose stories, culture, labor, and contributions helped shape America. Participants will have the opportunity to pick up a brush and paint a portion of the mural, which will remain on display at the IAHC after the event. 🇮🇪🇺🇸

Participation is FREE, no painting experience is necessary, and ages 12+ are welcome! We’ll have three one-hour painting sessions at 11 AM, 12 PM, and 1 PM, with advance registration limited to help ensure everyone gets a meaningful opportunity to participate.

🖌️ Space is limited, so sign up in advance to reserve your painting time! Walk-up participation may be available if space remains.

Register for our Community Mural Painting Day on our website!

https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F59746

09/25/2026

☘️ We’re excited to once again be part of Open House Chicago! 🏛️

Join us October 17–18 for a special weekend at the Irish American Heritage Center! We’ll be opening our doors and welcoming visitors to explore our historic building, cultural spaces, and facilities while discovering more about the Irish and Irish American community that calls the IAHC home.

And we already have plenty planned throughout the weekend! 🎨📚 Visitors can look forward to tours, arts and literary programming, hands-on activities, and special events, including our Community Mural Painting Day: Ireland and the Making of America, an Intro to Block Printing Workshop, a Literary Writing Workshop with Robert Patrick Conlon, and more.

Whether it’s your first time inside the IAHC or you’ve been part of our community for years, Open House Chicago is a great opportunity to explore the Center from top to bottom and experience all that happens within our walls.

Open House Chicago is free and open to the public! Some of our featured programs have limited capacity, so visit our website to learn more and RSVP for any activities you’d like to participate in.

We can’t wait to open our doors and welcome Chicago in! 🫱🏻‍🫲🏼

Learn more & RSVP: irish-american.org

09/24/2026

☘️ A HUGE THANK YOU TO OUR HALFWAY FEST SPONSORS & PARTNERS! 💚

Our Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Festival would not be possible without the incredible businesses, organizations, and community partners who step up to support the Irish American Heritage Center and our mission year after year.

To all of our 2026 Halfway Fest sponsors and partners — THANK YOU! Your generosity and support helped us bring together a full weekend of live music, comedy, culture, food, family fun, and community right here in Chicago. 🎶🇮🇪

As one of our major annual fundraisers, Halfway Fest is about much more than one weekend. The support we receive helps the IAHC continue providing cultural programming, classes, performances, community events, and opportunities to celebrate and preserve Irish and Irish American heritage throughout the year.

We are incredibly grateful to have such wonderful partners behind us and proud to have you as part of the IAHC community. Go raibh míle maith agaibh — thank you a thousand times! ☘️💚

09/24/2026

☘️ A SPECIAL VISIT AT HALFWAY FEST! 🇮🇪

It was such a pleasure to welcome and host the Lord Mayor of Dublin, Daryl Barron, at the Irish American Heritage Center during our Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Festival! We were delighted to share a little of our Chicago Irish community and the work we do to celebrate and preserve Irish culture here in the city.

Thank you for spending part of the weekend with us and helping make this year’s Halfway Fest even more memorable. From Dublin to Chicago, it’s always wonderful to celebrate the connections that bring our communities together! 💚🇮🇪🇺🇸

09/24/2026

☘️ WHAT A WEEKEND! 🍻

Our Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Festival has officially wrapped, and we can’t thank everyone enough for making it such an incredible celebration! Even with the rainy Chicago weather changing some of our plans, you showed up, filled the Center, and reminded us exactly what makes this community so special. 💚

Thank you to The Bow Tides for kicking off the festivities on Thursday, and to Adam Burke, Conor Cawley, Kait Carmody, Jeanie Doogan, and John McCombs for an unforgettable Irish Comedy Showcase on Friday! 🎻🎭

And, of course, a massive shoutout to all of the fantastic bands and performers who kept the celebration going throughout the weekend — The Gleeson Trio, Rare Auld Mountain Dewds, Without U2, The Chancey Brothers, In Spite of Ourselves, CXPITAL, One for the Ditch, and everyone else who helped fill the IAHC with music, dancing, and plenty of Halfway Fest spirit! 🎶

We also couldn’t have done any of this without our generous sponsors and partners, local vendors, artists, volunteers, IAHC staff, Board of Directors, performers, and everyone behind the scenes who gave their time and support to make this fundraiser possible.

And finally, THANK YOU to our community. Whether you joined us for a concert, comedy, golf, music, food, shopping, raffles, family fun, or simply came by to celebrate with us, your support directly helps the Irish American Heritage Center continue our nonprofit mission and keep Irish and Irish American culture thriving in Chicago.

Rain or shine, you came out for the IAHC — and we are so grateful. ☘️💚 Sláinte, Chicago, and we’ll see you at the next one!

09/23/2026

🏈 ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT FULL IRISH BREAKFAST + BEARS vs. PACKERS = YOUR SUNDAY PLANS. 🍳☕🐻

Skip the crowded sports bar and make a day of it at the Irish American Heritage Center! Start with an all-you-can-eat full Irish breakfast around 11 AM, then stick around as we turn our Fifth Province Pub screens—including our huge projector screen—to Bears vs. Packers! 🐻🏈

🍳 All-you-can-eat full Irish breakfast
🥓 A full spread of Irish breakfast favorites
🏈 Bears vs. Packers on multiple screens + our big projector
🚗 FREE parking
🍻 Fifth Province Pub right downstairs
☘️ Plenty of room to bring the whole crew!

Before breakfast, we’ll also hold our Monthly Mass at 10 AM. Mass is completely FREE and optional—you do NOT need to attend Mass to come for breakfast or the game!

🎟️ ALL-YOU-CAN-EAT BREAKFAST
Adults — $30
Seniors 65+ — $25
Kids 12 & under — $15

Breakfast Tickets: https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F44631

Come hungry, bring your Bears gear, and settle in for one of Chicago’s favorite rivalries.

BREAKFAST AT 11. BEARS vs. PACKERS AFTER. ONE EASY SUNDAY. 🐻⬇️

📍 Irish American Heritage Center
🚗 Free on-site parking

Come for breakfast. Stay for the game. 🍳🏈🍻

09/21/2026

✒️ Learn the art of beautiful lettering at the IAHC!

Join instructor Lisa Kivland for Italic Calligraphy for Beginners, a four-week, hands-on course perfect for anyone interested in learning calligraphy — no previous experience necessary!

Using Pilot Parallel Pens and dip pens, you’ll learn the fundamentals of classic Italic lettering, including letter formation, spacing, guidelines, design, and more.

📅 Thursdays: October 1, 8, 15 & 22
⏰ 7–9 PM
📍 Irish American Heritage Center
🎟️ Course Fee: $125
✒️ Supply Fee: $25 paid directly to the instructor

Space is limited to just 16 students, so register early to save your spot!

Come learn a new skill, get creative, and discover the beautiful world of calligraphy! ☘️✍️

https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F59295

09/21/2026

09/20/2026

☘️ One more Pop-Up Gaeltacht for the final day of Halfway Fest! ☘️

We had such a great time yesterday that we’re doing it again! Join Pop-Up Gaeltacht Chicago TODAY from 6–8 PM at the Irish American Heritage Center as we close out the final day of our Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Festival! 🇮🇪

Whether you’re fluent, learning, or just curious about the Irish language, all levels of Irish are welcome. Come practice your cúpla focal, meet fellow Irish speakers and learners, and enjoy one last evening of Halfway Fest with us! 💚

Come on out and help us finish an incredible festival weekend! ☘️🎶🍻

09/20/2026

✏️🎨 Get your FREE caricature drawn at Halfway Fest TODAY! ☘️

Local artist Ken Klopack will be at the Irish American Heritage Center from 2–5 PM today, creating free caricature drawings for festival guests!

Stop by, strike a pose, and take home a one-of-a-kind keepsake from the final day of our Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Festival. Whether you’re here for the music, food, vendors, raffles, Bears game, or just a great Sunday at the Center, make sure to add a caricature to your list! 💚

FREE • TODAY • 2–5 PM
📍 Irish American Heritage Center

Come spend the last day of Halfway Fest with us! ☘️🎶🍻

09/20/2026

🏈🐻 BEAR DOWN at the Fifth Province Pub! ☘️

We’re streaming the Chicago Bears game TODAY at the Fifth Province Pub as we celebrate the FINAL DAY of Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Fest! 🍻

Come grab a pint, catch the game, and spend your Sunday surrounded by all the music, food, vendors, raffles, and Irish fun happening throughout the Center. There’s no better place to cheer on the Bears than the pub! 🐻⬇️☘️

Halfway Fest continues TODAY at the Irish American Heritage Center — come close out an incredible weekend with us! 💚

09/18/2026

🚨 IMPORTANT HALFWAY FEST UPDATE! 🚨

Due to a 95% chance of rain and thunderstorms tomorrow, we’re officially moving Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Festival INDOORS for BOTH Saturday and Sunday! ☘️🌧️

One of the biggest perks of having a 90,000-square-foot home is that when Chicago weather doesn’t cooperate, we always have a contingency plan! 🙌

Everything we’ve advertised is STILL ON! Live music, local vendors, Irish food and drinks, raffles, cultural activities, entertainment, and more will all be happening inside the IAHC throughout the weekend. The only exception is Sunday’s bouncy house, which will be determined by the end of the day tomorrow based on conditions.

And don’t worry—we’ve already decked out the Center in plenty of St. Patrick’s décor, so the Halfway Fest spirit is ready to go! 💚☘️

Rain or shine, the celebration is ON. We can’t wait to welcome everyone tomorrow and Sunday for a full weekend of Irish music, culture, community, and fun—without having to worry about the weather! 🇮🇪🎶

📍 Irish American Heritage Center
📅 Saturday: 12-10:30 PM & Sunday: 12-8 PM
☘️ NOW INDOORS!

09/17/2026

🛍️☘️ Shop local at Halfway Fest this weekend! Along with all the music, entertainment, food and festivities, be sure to make time to explore our local vendor market from 12–7 PM on both Saturday & Sunday! We’ll have a great mix of local makers, artists and small businesses throughout the weekend.

☘️ HERE BOTH SATURDAY & SUNDAY: Because I Like It — sweaters, jewelry, scarves & hand soaps; Galway Bakers — baked goods; Greenmarrow Studio — home & kitchen décor and art prints; Enchanted Ivy Candle — candles & soaps; Nimble Thimbles — mini quilts, doll clothing & handmade sewn items; Popcorn Bingo — games to play while watching movies.

🛍️ SATURDAY: Silvana Tandeter — crocheted baby & children’s toys; Shuttle Flicka Lace — shuttle-tatted lace jewelry, cards & hair accessories; Dusty’s Candles — liquor bottle candles; Raz Nails — Color Street dry nail polish & nail care; DFG & The Alchey Kitchen — candles, melts, bath & body products, smudge products, handcrafted luminaries, ornaments, bags & other crafts; Lynn Tallackson — pottery; Tina Smith — jewelry & scarves; and Windy City Marketplace — candles, perfume/body oils, soaps, scrubs & shower steamers.

Come support local makers, find something unique, and enjoy everything Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day Fest has to offer! 💚🇮🇪

📅 Saturday, September 19 & Sunday, September 20
🕛 Vendors open 12–7 PM both days
📍 Irish American Heritage Center

https://irishamerican.app.neoncrm.com/nx/portal/neonevents/events?path=%2Fportal%2Fevents%2F48819

09/17/2026

☘️🍺 Start Halfway Fest with a pint!

Before heading to the theatre for The Bow Tides concert tonight, stop by the Fifth Province Pub and celebrate Halfway to St. Patrick’s Day with our friends from Guinness!

🍻 Guinness sampling from 5–7 PM
☘️ $8 Guinness 20 oz. pints all day long

Come early, raise a pint, and get into the Halfway Fest spirit before an incredible night of live music with The Bow Tides! 🎻💚

📍 Irish American Heritage Center
📅 Tonight — Thursday, September 17
🔞 Must be 21+ for sampling. No purchase necessary.