Kick up Your Heels, Fasten Your Kilts

This year’s Canadian Celtic Celebration features an exciting line-up of stellar performers for the Saturday night concert at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium.

By Chelsea Cameron-Fikis Chelsea Cameron-Fikis is a nature and outdoors enthusiast who is working towards her first novel.

October 28, 2024

If you're an enthusiast of Celtic culture, music and dance, you may want to plan a trip to Thunder Bay the weekend of June 24-25 to take in the Canadian Celtic Celebration.

Saturday June 25, you will definitely want to take in the evening performance at the 1500-seat Thunder Bay Community Auditorium as a finale to what has become an annual Celtic festival created by internationally renowned Thunder Bay fiddler Pierre Schryer.

Pierre Shryer (left), renowned international fiddler, performs with young lad on guitar

Exclusive to Thunder Bay, the Canadian Celtic Celebration features some of the best Celtic music and dance performers in the field. These top performers will be bringing a world class show to Northern Ontario that celebrates and showcases authentic Celtic roots.

The music of various Celtic styles has such a deep history in Canada and is contagious in its joie de vivre. The Irish have been the strongest influence to the French Canadian traditional music style developing in Canada, just as the Scottish were the strong influence for what developed into Cape Breton style. Thus, you will experience the true essence of Canadian Celtic music.

A Weekend of DANCE and MUSIC

Canadian Celtic Celebration is a weekend kitchen party you don't want to miss with a dance event Friday night and the concert Saturday night featuring top Celtic perfomers.

Friday June 24

The Celebration kicks off with a Ceilidh Dance 7:30 pm at Royal Canadian Legion Polish Hall 209 Cumberland St N.

Roll up your sleeves and kick up your heels at the fantastic Ceilidh (pronounced Kay-lee)! Enjoy square dances, set dances and contra dances hosted by the charming and energetic dance caller from Québec, Yaëlle Azoulay! Live music from the celebrated performers of the 2016 Canadian Celtic Celebration.

Saturday June 25

The big event of the weekend is the Concert at the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium on Saturday evening at 7:30 pm.

This year’s Canadian Celtic Celebration features an exciting line-up of stellar performers including Scottish harpist Ailie Robertson, B.C. powerhouse guitarist Andy Hillhouse, Cape Breton fiddler Mairi Rankin, Québécois accordionist Timi Turmel, Irish American stepdancer Cara Butler, and more! As always, the Feature Concert brings together unique combinations of top-notch artists performing with Pierre Schryer in traditional Celtic styles including Scottish, Irish, French Canadian, and Cape Breton.

Visit the Thunder Bay Community Auditorium to get your tickets online or at box office.