Entertainment
In addition to our internationally recognized headliner band, the Rio Grande Celtic Festival and Highland Games invites a number of local and regionally recognized “entertainers” to participate in the Festival. These participants range from singers and small dance groups to story-tellers and poets in the Celtic oral tradition. This year, western music, an art-form directly derived from Celtic music, has been included in an expanded role reflecting who we are today.
Welcome to New Mexico Ally the Piper!
We are excited to introduce Ally the Piper to New Mexico. She’s been getting a lot of press lately including an article on the front page of the Wall Street Journal and an appearance on the NPR podcast Wait, Wait… Don’t Tell Me on the 25th of October so perhaps you know the name Ally Crowley-Duncan – aka Ally the Piper! She's a viral internet sensation, renowned for modernizing the Great Highland bagpipe. She blends classic rock and heavy metal with Celtic influences, captivating audiences worldwide. Supported by legends like Metallica and Iron Maiden, Ally showcases her talent on various traditional instruments and is redefining the bagpipe's place in contemporary music.
Check her out on:
2026 Bands & Dancers
If your band would like to be considered to perform on one of our three stages for the 2026 Festival, please complete and submit an application online - Applications will be accepted through February 22, 2026.
Burque Bombadillos
In 2024, the Burque Bombadillos started playing together, with a focus on traditional Celtic, Folk and Bluegrass music–with some of their favorite rock tunes from time to time too!
Celtic Coyotes
The Celtic Coyotes keep the thread of Celtic music alive in the Land of Enchantment.
Dirty Old Town ABQ
Dirty Old Town ABQ plays Irishish Americana - a Celtic-flavored melting pot that includes folk, bluegrass, Acadiana, country, and blues.
Dram Session
Dram Session
Dram Session is a Scottish band based in the Albuquerque area. They play traditional Scottish music, including tunes ranging from very old to modern.
Duke City Ceili Band
The #1 Ceili Band in New Mexico. We play Celtic music to make your feet move!
Duke City Ceili Dancers
Duke City Céilí Dancers are ABQ's traditional Céilí amatuer Irish dance group. We dance for fun and welcome newcomers every Weds, 6:30 until 8:30 pm at the Edelweiss AM Rio Grande - German American Club.
Joseph Charles MacKenzie
The only American poet to have won First Place at the (now defunct) Scottish International Open Poetry Competition in 1994 (see Times Literary Supplement, London, Jan.
KarMa Band
We are an Albuquerque based band that is a duo, trio or 4 piece. We play a variety of music including originals at certain venues.
Rye Creek
Together for more than 30 years, and longtime performer at the Rio Grande Valley Celtic Festival, Albuquerque’s Rye Creek Band plays traditional as well as more contemporary Irish, folk and western music.
Sandia Celtic Ensemble
The Sandia Celtic Ensemble started 4 years ago and plays a wide array of Irish tunes at festivals, community centers, and assisted-living centers.
Saoirse
Saoirse is a multigenerational (ages 22 - 77) Celtic Eclectic band that has been performing in Albuquerque, in one configuration or another, since 2004.
Sliabh Sandia Set Dancers
The Sliabh Sandia Set Dancers is an an ABQ-Rio Rancho-based club that meets to enjoy adult social dancing in the style of Irish Set Dance, meeting every Monday night, mainly dancing Sets from a core repertoire of 20 dances.
The Adjacents
The Adjacents are a new variety band to the Albuquerque music scene. We have been performing for nearly two years and our name derives from our style being adjacent to blues, soul, country, and rock.
The Celtic Singers
The Celtic Singers of New Mexico is a no-audition group based in Albuquerque that strives to keep alive the traditional folk songs of Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.
Wandering the Burren
Wandering the Burren grew out of a long-running Irish session in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Yampa Valley Steve
Steve, in his 25th year as a performer, entertains audiences with cowboy/western, classic country, folk, Irish and original songs.