The NAIDC is a major Irish dance competition that will take place over the course of five days – June 30th through July 4th – at the Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center. Across six large ballrooms and stages, local residents can for the first time witness live this impressive, athletic, and fascinating exhibition of competitive Irish step dancing from some of the best dancers in the world.
Nearly 4,000 Irish dancers – with ages ranging from under 7 all the way up to over 70 – will soon be arriving in Grapevine from all across North America and the globe. While most competitors will be from the United States, Canada, or Mexico, some competitors and their families will be traveling all the way from Ireland, England, Scotland, Australia, New Zealand, France and Argentina. This truly international event will showcase top dancers in their respective age categories executing the art and sport of Irish culture through dance in an effort to claim the title of, “North American Champion.” Dancers that place within the top percentage of their respective categories will also have the chance to qualify and compete in next year’s World Irish Dance Championships, which will be held in Dublin, Ireland.
The NAIDC will host several different dance categories throughout the week, including Solo Championships, Teams, and Traditional Irish Set Dances. The majority of the events will also be accompanied by live Irish music from some of today’s greatest traditional Irish musicians.
Wearing stunning costumes that combine the traditional and contemporary, these dancers will perform exhilarating choreography with fast and intricate footwork made popular by iconic professional dance shows like “Riverdance” and “Michael Flatley’s Lord of the Dance.”
In addition to the dance competitions, the NAIDC will also be hosting over 25 vendors from all across the world, offering a wide variety of Irish products, services, and more.
With so much to see and experience, the NAIDC offers residents of Grapevine and the surrounding areas an exciting, family friendly event celebrating Irish culture, music, and dance.
Location
Gaylord Texan Resort & Convention Center (Longhorn Convention Area)
1501 Gaylord Trail, Grapevine, TX 76051
Dates and Times
Sunday, June 30th - Thursday, July 4th
8:00am until approximately 5:00pm (followed by an awards ceremony into the evening)
Price of Admission
Event wristbands to access the competition ballrooms will be available for purchase at the venue. Local attendees with a valid Texas ID can purchase a daily wristband for $25. Admission is free for local children under the age of 12.
Access to the vendor areas is free to the public.
Parking
Discounted parking vouchers can be purchased for $20 at the Gaylord Texan at a designated desk near the Longhorn convention center. The parking passes are good for all day parking at the Gaylord, and include in-and-out access.
Additional Information
You can find a schedule of the events and more information regarding the NAIDC by visiting www.2024naidc.com.
