Throughout late 2026 and into 2027, those with a love of Irish music and dance are in for a treat. Southern Californian stages will host a variety of acts – including folk band Amble in October and Kerry Dance Troupe in December – before the iconic Riverdance hits Downtown LA’s Ahmanson Theater in spring next year.
These shows follow the successful North American leg of The High Kings’ Rocky Road Tour. The quartet headlined at the legendary Troubadour in March. There was also the off-Broadway sensation, A Taste of Ireland, which brought its singular mix of dance and wit to the Santa Clarita Performing Arts Center, before heading out on a multi-stop trip across the United States.
Irish Arts in California
The Irish arts have always been held in high regard in California. It goes back to the days of the Gold Rush in the mid-19th century when ballad singers brought fiddle tunes and Sean-nós singing into Sierra mining camps. This widely influenced American bluegrass and country, with musicians flocking to districts like Richmond in San Francisco, which became a hub of traditional Irish music.
Actors like screen legend Maureen O’Hara, who was born in Dublin, lit up the silver screen as the “Queen of Technicolor”. Meanwhile, playwrights, from Oscar Wilde to Samuel Beckett, saw their work become staples of Los Angeles playhouses. Today, the Emerald Isle’s artistic heritage is celebrated across California in some of the most competitive Irish dance academies in the United States. The three-day Irish Film Festival, hosted at the Laemmle Monica Film Center, is also now an established event on the calendar.
Recognized Hollywood stars like Cillian Murphy, Colin Farrell and Saoirse Ronan have played a crucial part in establishing what’s been dubbed the “Green Wave”, keeping their native accents and capturing a distinct sense of their homeland in major mainstream roles. Across entertainment, from the Gaelic rapping of hip-hop trio Kneecap and the hit Netflix comedy series Derry Girls, to new iGaming titles like Irish Party emerging as one of the new slots online, the appeal of Irish culture remains a dynamic and versatile draw for international audiences.
What’s Coming to Los Angeles?
For those craving Irish music and dance on the stage, Amble will be performing on October 23 at the historic Belasco Theater. The three-piece folk band has supported Ed Sheeran recently, and arrives in California following appearances at Lollapalooza and the Newport Folk Festival this summer.
Next up, it’s time for some Irish-infused Yuletide fun with the show, Irish Christmas in America, on December 11 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation. Oisín Mac Diarmada, the acclaimed Sligo fiddler, has produced this celebration of dance, traditional music and storytelling. It returns following a sold-out run last year. Additionally, Kerry Dance Troupe head to the Fred Kavli Theater on December 23 for its take on festive Irish celebration.
Then it’s the turn of Riverdance in April next year. The show that originally featured champion dancers Michael Flatley and Jean Butler is an infectious portrait of Ireland’s mythology through dance and melody. The two-hour performance will run from April 13 to April 18 at the Ahmanson Theater.
From 19th-century Sierra mining camps to the iconic stages of Downtown LA, California and Irish arts maintain a strong bond that shows no signs of breaking. As the “Green Wave” continues to sweep across the Golden State, these upcoming performances offer the perfect chance to experience the heart and soul of Ireland live on stage.