Westminster Celtic Canter Irish Festival kicks off the city’s annual series of community festivals.

Westminster Celtic Canter Irish Festival kicks off the city’s annual series of community festivals.

Today Westminster kicked off its 2026 community festival series with the annual Celtic Canter.

Westminster MD March 14, 2026 – The luck of the Irish was on full display in Westminster today as the city kicked off its 2026 community festival series with the annual Celtic Canter. The weather little windy and chilly, however the weather for the event was certainly a change from the cold temperatures of earlier in the week and certainly better that a year or two when it snowed.

The Irish Celebration and Celtic Run Fest transformed Main Street into a sea of green from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, featuring a packed schedule of races, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities.

Co-founded by Dr. Patrick Gallagher and the Gallagher and Kuhn Dental Group—who continue to serve as lead sponsors—the event was officially hosted by the City of Westminster’s Recreation and Parks, Street, and Police Departments.

The morning's athletic events began at 9:00 AM with the signature Celtic Canter 5K, followed by the 1-Mile Leprechaun Chase at 10:15 AM.

For those seeking a more lighthearted challenge, the 0.5K "Don’t Miss the Point!" race took place at 11:00 AM; which featured the Westminster Mayor and Common Council: Westminster Mayor Dr. Mona Becker, Westminster Common Council President Tony Chiavacci, and Councilmembers Dan Hoff and Kevin Dayhoff.

These "canters" served a greater purpose beyond fitness, with proceeds benefiting both Crossroads Church and Target Community & Educational Services, Inc.

Attendees also enjoyed a variety of specialized attractions, including a "Kids Kingdom" featuring a Shamrock Spray Salon and face painting, as well as a unique Whiskey and Chocolate Pairing that required pre-registration.

Main Street remained vibrant throughout the day with a Vendor Village showcasing Irish-inspired arts, crafts, and fare. Live music fueled the festive atmosphere, with DJ Thumper spinning from early morning and the band Risky Shenanigans taking the stage at 9:30 AM.

Unique demonstrations by Maryland Training in Historical Swordsmanship also added to the day's entertainment.

As the morning festivities concluded, the celebration transitioned into a pub crawl from 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM, supported by free trolley rides available until 5:00 PM to ensure a safe and spirited end to the holiday tradition.

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