4th Annual “Rock the Gates” Summer Irish Fleadh Festival w/ 20+ Bands (SF)

Submitted by the Event Organizer

United Irish Cultural Center of San Francisco (UICC) presents the 4th Annual Rock the Gates Summer Fleadh on Saturday, August 23, 2025 from 11 am noon- 10 pm. The UICC is located in San Francisco’s Outer Sunset District near the SF Zoo and Ocean Beach at 2700 45th Avenue between Sloat and Wawona. Adult tickets are $25 for UICC members and $30 for non-members; children under 18 are free when accompanied by an adult. For after 6 pm—cover charge is $20 and you enter through Emerald Pub entrance from 45th Avenue.

Back for our 4th year with an impressive line-up of sound and entertainment, our family-friendly music festival has something for everyone! Join us for a special 50th Anniversary edition of this popular festival which comes the day after our 50th Anniversary Golden Gala.

Headlining our festival: L.A.vation—acclaimed U2 tribute band, making their 3rd appearance at the UICC.

Join us on Saturday, August 23 from 11-10 pm (gates open at 11 am and music starts at noon) at the Irish Center for fun for the whole family! Featuring multiple stages (Wawona Gates, St. Patrick’s Room, and the Emerald Pub—plus live piano and harp in the St. Francis Room with the 50th Anniversary Exhibition), this festival will showcase a variety of bands from tribute bands, Irish favorites, and also feature Irish Dancing from some of our local dance schools. Face painting and bounce house for kids during the afternoon hours, Irish Shoppe and other vendors, Wawona Gates—and more!

Band line-up

• L.A.vation—U2 tribute band
• The Hooks—Celtic Rock
• A License to Chill—Jimmy Buffet Tribute
• Awake—A Doors Experience
• Doc Sawyers: A Saw Doctors Tribute band
• Noise in the Room—SF Rock Band
• The Harps— Celtic/Classic Rock
• The Bracers— Early Reggae, Traditional Ska, New Rocksteady
• Kavanaugh Brothers Celtic Experience— Celtic Rock
• Turf in the Bog— traditional Irish
• Shane Beirne—Irish singer-songwriter
• Karl McHugh— Irish singer-songwriter
• Blind Lemon Pledge—Acoustic Blues
• Dennis Doyle—harpist
• Jeff Rodman—piano

Rock the Gates 2025 Stage Schedule

Emerald Pub
12-1 pm Blind Lemon Pledge (Acoustic Blues)
1-2:30 pm Shane Beirne (Irish Singer-Songwriter)
2:30-3:45 pm The Bracers (Early Reggae, Traditional Ska, New Rocksteady)
3:45-5:15 pm Doc Sawyers: A Saw Doctors Tribute Band
5:15-5:45 pm Boyle Irish Dance Academy
5:45-7:15 pm The Harps (Celtic and Classic Rock)
7:15-8:45 pm Awake: A Doors Experience
8:45-10 pm The Hooks (Celtic Rock)

Wawona Gates
12-1 pm Turf in the Bog (Irish Trad)
1-1:30 Youth Irish Pipers
1:30-3 pm Turf in the Bog (Irish Trad)
3-3:30 pm Jackie Flynn Irish Dancers
3:30-4:30 A License to Chill (Jimmy Buffet Tribute)
4:30- 5 pm Murphy Irish Dancers
5-5:30 pm A License to Chill (Jimmy Buffet Tribute)
5:30-5:45 pm San Francisco Irish Pipers Band
5:45-6:45 pm A License to Chill (Jimmy Buffet Tribute)
6 pm Irish Shoppe and Vendors Close
6:45-8 pm Seisiún in the Sunset
8 pm Wawona Gates Bar Service Concludes

St. Patrick’s Room
12-1:30 pm Karl McHugh (Irish Singer Song Writer)
1:30-2 pm Jackie Flynn Irish Dancers
2-3:30 pm Noise in the Room
3:30-4 pm Kennelly School of Irish Dance
4-5:30 pm Kavanaugh Brothers Celtic Experience
5:30-5:45 pm San Francisco Irish Pipers Band
5:45-6:15 Whelan Academy of Irish Dance
6 pm Bounce House Closes
6:15-8 pm L.A.vation—Ultimate Tribute to U2
8 pm St. Patrick’s Room Bar service concludes

Highlights Include:

• 4 stages
• Kid-friendly activities including face-painting and bounce house UICC 50th Anniversary History Exhibition
• Interactive Photo Booth
• Keepers of the Steps Pop-Up Display—SF Irish Dance History Artifacts
• Dowling Library—Book Cart; Children’s Storytime; Irish Artifacts
• The Irish Center’s own Irish Shoppe with tasty treats from Ireland—new shipment of Taytos, Barry’s Tea, Cadbury’s chocolates, and more!
• Vendors include Irish Castle Gifts, Treasure Ireland, Celtic Tea Shoppe, and more.
• Food/drink concessions including fresh Shepherd’s pies, Taco Truck, and more!

Don’t miss this signature summer festival on the West Coast for Irish arts and music lovers of all ages!

Disclaimer: Please double check event information with the event organizer as events can be canceled, details can change after they are added to our calendar, and errors do occur.