Sports Milwaukee will welcome the 2025 Mid-America Oireachtas, one of the premier regional Irish dance championships in North America, to Baird Center from Nov. 28-30, 2025. 

 

Hosted by the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America (IDTAMA), the three-day event is expected to bring about 4,000 to 5,000 attendees to downtown Milwaukee and generate an estimated $5.8 million in total economic impact. The event provides a timely boost for the local hospitality community during a weekend that typically needs additional demand for hotels.

 

Mid-America Oireachtas logo with stylized Celtic border and a blue city skyline in the background.

 

“Sports and youth events are vital to our visitor economy, and we are proud to partner with IDTAMA to bring the Mid-America Oireachtas to Milwaukee,” said Marissa Werner, director of Sports Milwaukee. “We know Baird Center, our compact and walkable downtown, and our hospitality partners will deliver a top-tier experience for dancers and their families. We look forward to filling hotel rooms and restaurants while showcasing Milwaukee during the holiday season.”

 

“The Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America is very excited to be bringing this event back to Milwaukee for the first time in almost 40 years. Milwaukee has such a rich and vibrant Irish community, and it has been amazing to see all the Milwaukee Irish dance schools come together to put on this event,” said Alyssa Harling of the Irish Dance Teachers Association of Mid-America.

 

The Mid-America Oireachtas features traditional Irish step dancing from beginner through championship levels. Top finishers often advance to national and world championships. Attendees can also expect vendor offerings, workshops and cultural gatherings that celebrate Irish heritage.

 

“Hosting this Oireachtas underscores the strength of Milwaukee’s meetings and sports venue infrastructure as well as the community of Milwaukeeans regularly celebrating our Irish heritage and its traditions,” Werner said.

 

Sports Milwaukee encourages residents and visitors to welcome competitors and their families as they explore downtown attractions, shops and restaurants throughout Thanksgiving weekend.

 

The organization also encourages restaurants near the group’s hotels to offer to-go Thanksgiving meals and other convenient dining options for visiting families.