Austin Celtic Festival

Where do we park? Is there a shuttle?
We do not have a shuttle to the festival. There is street parking (do not block neighborhood drives or mailboxes). Also, there are parking lots on either side of the festival grounds. There are several bus stops available in the area, visit the Capitol Metro website to plan your ride to the festival.

What if it rains?
It wouldn't be the first time. And with everything Celtic, the rain brings a charm of its own. Our facilities at Fiesta Gardens now contains three COVERED stages out of four. They are perfect cozy retreats from the rain. 95% of all festival activites will remain on course even in the heaviest of downpours. A few of the outdoor reinactment camps and animal activities might have to shift their schedules around to accomodate a shower. But, even the Highland Games proceed on through the rain. We recommend you bring your umbrella and/or a nice raincoat to protect you while traveling from stage to stage. The vast majority of the area of the park has sidewalks to travel on as well, so you might not even get your shoes wet! There is nothing better than snuggling up with your loved one and listening to the rain and a few fabulous Irish tunes on a soft, Autumn afternoon. If only the City would let us build a nice turf fire! It would be perfection!

My band wants to play the festival. How do we get in?
You must apply to our Regional Panel during the panelling period April 15 to May 30. Regional bands are selected by the panel. The majority if not all your repertoire must be Celtic. Check the website in April for regional applications on the music page.

I'm interested in Headlining the festival or recommending a headliner.
Headliners are selected by our festival director, Donnelle McKaskle. You may email her your suggestions or your interest at windhover@aol.com. Headliners for the ACF are selected based on their international standing in the traditional community as well as their ability to conduct workshops and extend their knowledge of the tradition to our attendees. Because our goal is to impart and preserve the traditional elements of the Celtic culture, there is very limited space in our headliner slots for alternative Celtic styles beyond the traditional.

When will the Stage Schedule be posted?
Although we try to post the schedule as soon as possible, we are constantly juggling band availablity, flight schedules and other conflicts. Generally, the schedule will post around the beginning of October. Remember it is subject to change.

I think the festival is great! How can I further support it?
By volunteering (see the link above). Send us loving feedback to windhover@aol.com
And tell all your friends!

Are you handicap accessible?
Yes, but it is an outdoor festival. The festival takes place in a city owned park that comes with all the necessary requirements including handicap parking, restrooms and water fountains. We also rent additional handicap accessible portible toilets. Most of the staging area takes place on concrete and there are sidewalks leading to each. The only stage not wheelchair accessible is the Seelie Court Grandstands, it requires a walk up and down about 7 stairs. Traveling from the east side of the festival to the west side depends on crossing a wooden bridge with a bit of an arch, making a self powered wheelchair a bit difficult. Motorized wheelchairs will have no problem, and if you have a friend with you to help you up its small incline you will be fine. This is a well travelled small bridge and there should be a large supply of friendly festival goers to give you a hand if you are alone. Also, you can travel around the bridge completely but it is through grass and a bit of brush. There are also a few festival activities that require leaving the concrete sidewalk and travelling a short distance (20 feet) on low cut grass, like the sheepherding demos, Highland Games etc.
The entrance to the festival is a worn dirt and grass path with again about 20 feet to a sidewalk.
Also, we should advise you that while the City of Austin has several handicap parking areas, these can fill up fast. If you are traveling with a mobility impaired person, you can double park and let them exit the vehicle at the main gate while you have your hazard lights on. Once they are in the park, you can then go and find whatever parking is available. The same is for picking up someone mobility impaired.
Each stage has a seating area for those that cannot stand for long periods of time. If all of the seating has been taken you may alert the Stage Manager at the stage, and they will radio for more chairs.
For elderly patrons that may have trouble walking the course from East to West (about one neighborhood block long) we suggest bringing a light weight, collapsible chair. There are activities and sites between the farthest distance of the festival, but this will allow you to stop and sit down if you need to rest.
We also advise buying your ticket online through paypal. The admission gate has a seperate line for paypal ticket holders and because there is no exchange of money, the line moves rapidly.
The festival hosts a large number of mobility impaired patrons each year and we look forward to your attendance!