North American
2026 Comhaltas Music & Dance Immersion Weekend
Chicago
April 9-12thHosted by the Institute of Traditional Irish Music
“We welcome the Irish music world to Chicago one more time!”
About the Event
Join us for an immersive weekend of Irish traditional music and help sustain the living tradition of this rich cultural heritage.
Book Now
Book a room in the room block, get your all-weekend ticket, or sign up for specific events à la carte.(Please note: Rooms booked outside of the block jeopardize the success of the weekend.)
Sponsorship
& Donation
Help make the weekend a success and consider sponsorship.
About the Event
This immersive weekend brings together musicians and dancers of all levels for four days of music, learning, and community.Participants will experience music, dance, language, and Irish culture/history classes with a broad range of topics, including Chicago music history, instrumental and singing workshops, as well as set, ceili, and jive dancing classes:
Set dance workshops that include footwork-specific classes by Pádraig and organized by Margaret Mount and her dance committee.
For kids and teens, a day of immersion in Irish music and dance led by master musicians and dancers.
Céilithe each evening with a cavalcade of Chicago dance bands organized by Pauline Conneely.
The ever-popular late-night set dancing, which keeps the music going until the early hours, is back, featuring music by Katie Grennan and John Williams.
Lectures and talks exploring the history, culture, language, and stories behind the music.
A newly composed Irish Mass by Kathleen Keane and Kathy Cowan, with opportunities to learn the music from the composers in advance and join in a Sunday morning service that will be a highlight of the weekend.
A great venue, experienced in hosting North American CCE events. We are returning to The Northbrook Hilton and have a great menu planned for the weekend.
Whether you are a beginner, a seasoned performer, or simply a lover of Irish culture, the Immersion Weekend offers a chance to deepen your skills, connect with others, and celebrate the living tradition of Irish music and dance in Chicagoland.
Book your Hotel
The block extends from Wednesday to Monday, so be sure to only book the dates you need.We expect a sellout for this immersive weekend, so book soon!The Hilton is a favorite event hotel for those who have previously attended the Chicago conventions. We hope you will consider joining us in Chicago for this wonderful immersion weekend. The hotel is close to O'Hare Airport, and there is a shuttle bus that will whisk you over to the public transportation train station if you'd like to go downtown to experience the sights of The Windy City.
A couple of notes:
-if you are only able to reserve certain nights because others are sold out, go ahead and reserve what you can, then forward your reservation to instituteoftrad @ gmail.com so we can work with the hotel to get the days you want.
-you will need to alter the reservation dates on the Hilton site if you want a shorter duration than Wednesday through Monday. It's easy to do. If you need help, reach out to us at instituteoftrad @ gmail.com.An easy way to support the convention:
When reserving your stay at the Hilton Northbrook, please book your stay using the convention reservation code 903 – just click on the hotel link above. The convention receives credit for rooms booked with the convention code, which is used to offset the cost of the ballroom and meeting spaces.By staying at the convention hotel, even if you can find slightly cheaper accommodation elsewhere, you will be supporting the convention and don't have to travel to and from events.
Book your weekend package
Full Package includes all weekend events and meals (see below). Discounted pricing for Comhaltas members.Included in the Full Package:
• Friday buffet dinner
• Saturday brunch
• Saturday night banquet, program and ceili
• Sunday brunch
• Plus, workshops and dances from Friday through Sunday (exclusions: Thursday night ceili and late night set dancing)
| Type | Members | Non-Members |
|---|---|---|
| Adult | $295 | $320 |
| Youth | $200 | $225 |
Early bird: Full Package registrations before January 15 receive $25 offLate fee: Full Package registrations after March 1 will have a $25 fee applied
A La Carte Event Tickets
| Event | Members | Non-members |
|---|---|---|
| Meals Only | $230 | $255 |
| Adult Banquet (Saturday: 7 p.m.) | $80 | $80 |
| Youth Banquet | $60 | $60 |
| Ceili (Thursday: 8 to 11 p.m.) | $20 | $20 |
| Ceili (Friday: 8 to 11 p.m.) | $20 | $20 |
| Ceili (Saturday: 9 to midnight) | $25 | $25 |
| Workshops | $25 each | $25 each |
Sponsorship & Donations
The Immersion Weekend is made possible through the generosity of our community. Sponsorship opportunities:
Youth Immersion Day - $4000
Cultural Exhibit on the History of the Irish in America - $1200
Irish Language Mass - $2000
Irish Language Program - $2000
Individual Workshop Sponsors - $500
Help us keep Irish traditional music and dance thriving by supporting workshops, youth programs, concerts, and cultural events.
Workshop Sponsorship Opportunities - $500 Each
Dance
Thursday Set Dance Footwork Class with Pádraig
Friday Ceili Workshop
Friday Set Dance Workshop with Pádraig
Saturday Morning Set Dance Workshop with Pádraig
Saturday Afternoon Set Dance Workshop with Pádraig
Jive Dancing with Maureen M
Sunday Set Dance Workshop with PádraigInstrumental
Advanced Fiddle with Katie Grennan
Intermediate Fiddle with Lexi Kennedy
Singing with Kathy CowanLearn the New Irish Mass Music with Kathy Cowan
Bodhran with Mike Austin
Trends in Irish Music with Katie Grennan and Kell CholeCultural
Tradition on the Edge: Doolin, Co. Clare's Living Heritage with John Williams
History of the Irish Musicians Association with Richie Piggott
Event Schedule & Pricing
Thursday
| Title | Leader | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set Dance Footwork Workshop | Pádraig | 4 to 5:30 p.m. | $25 |
| Welcome Ceili | Pádraig | 8 to 11 p.m. | $20 |
Friday
| Title | Leader | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set Dance Workshop | Pádraig | 12:30 to 2 p.m. | $25 |
| Ceili Workshop | Leader Name | 2 to 3:30 p.m. | $25 |
| Singing Workshop | Kathy Cowan | 3 to 4:30 p.m. | $25 |
| Jive Dancing Workshop | Maureen Mulvey | 5 to 6 p.m. | $25 |
| Irish Language – Beginners | Na Gaeil | 6 to 7 p.m. | $25 |
| IMA – Try an Instrument | Irish Musicians Association | 6 to 7:30 p.m. | Free |
Saturday
| Title | Leader Name | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set Dance Workshop | Pádraig | 9:30 to 11 a.m. | $25 |
| Irish Music in Chicago: 1950s to 70s | TBA | 10 to 11:30 a.m. | $25 |
| Fiddle – Intermediate | Lexi Kennedy | 10 to 11:30 a.m. | $25 |
| Youth Immersion Workshop (plus performance at 7) | Siobhan B & Shannon Dunne | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $25 |
| Tradition on the Edge: Doolin, County Clare's Living Heritage | John WIlliams | 12:30 to 2 p.m. | $25 |
| Fiddle – Advanced | Katie Grennan | 12:30 to 2 p.m. | $25 |
| Learn the New Irish Mass Music | Kathy Cowan | 12:30 to 2 p.m. | $25 |
| Set Dance Workshop | Pádraig | 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. | $25 |
| Jive Dance Workshop | Maureen M | 3 to 4 p.m. | $25 |
| Bodhran – All Levels | Mike Austin | 2:30 to 4 p.m. | $25 |
| Trends in Irish Music | Katie Grennan & Kell Chole | 2:30 to 4 p.m. | $25 |
| Irish Language – Intermediate | Na Gaeil | 2:30 to 4 p.m. | $25 |
| Ceili Dance Workshop | Maureen M | 4:15 to 5:30 p.m. | $25 |
Sunday
| Title | Leader | Time | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Set Dance Workshop | Pádraig | Noon to 1:30 p.m. | $25 |
| Farewell Ceili | Pádraig | 2 to 4:30 p.m. | $25 |
| History of the IMA in Chicago | Richie Piggott | 12:30 to 2 p.m. | $25 |
| IMA – Try an Instrument | Irish Musicians Association | 2 to 3 p.m. | Free |
| Post Mass Q&A with composers | Kathy Cowan & Kathleen Keane | Noon to 12:30 p.m. | Free |
Descriptions of Workshops
Dance
Thursday Set Dance Footwork Class with Pádraig
Sponsored by Cooley Keegan San Francisco Branch
You know the sets, now it's time to refine your footwork to move like a pro.Friday Ceili Workshop with Maureen MFriday Set Dance Workshop with PádraigSaturday Morning Set Dance Workshop with PádraigSaturday Afternoon Set Dance Workshop with PádraigJive Dancing with Maureen M
Swirl and whirl and turn you and your partner into a pretzel as you learn the moves that make you the envy of the dancefloor.Sunday Set Dance Workshop with PádraigInstrumental
Intermediate Fiddle with Lexi Kennedy
Sponsored by St. Louis Irish Arts in Memory of P.J. GannonAdvanced Fiddle with Katie GrennanSinging with Kathy Cowan
Take a musical trip around Ireland's singing traditions, including seannos, folk, ballads and ornamentation.Learn the New Irish Mass Music with Kathy Cowan
Learn the newly composed Irish language Mass so that on Sunday you will be able to sing along with the choir.Bodhran with Mike Austin
Sponsored by an Anonymous Donor
Mike skillfully manages the learning process for players of all levels. He will have some extra bodhrans on hand for those who do not have one with them.Trends in Irish Music with Katie Grennan and Kell Chole
Learn what's new and trending in Irish music that you can incorporate into your playing.Cultural
Tradition on the Edge: Doolin, Co. Clare's Living Heritage with John WilliamsHistory of the Irish Musicians Association with Richie PiggottLiz Carroll on her Third Collection and The Art of Living
Sponsored by The Coyle Sisters
Liz's newest tune collection is out. Learn what inspires her.