Irish Christmas in America Coming to the ROC Dec. 1
10/16/2026
JACKSONVILLE, AL - The sights, sounds and traditions of an Irish Christmas are coming to Jacksonville State University this holiday season when Irish Christmas in America takes the stage at the Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts (ROC) on Tuesday, Dec. 1, at 8 p.m.
Now in its 21st season, Irish Christmas in America brings together leading Irish musicians, singers and dancers for a family-friendly evening of music, storytelling, humor and holiday traditions.
Produced by Sligo fiddler Oisín Mac Diarmada, the long-running show pairs lively traditional tunes and old-style Irish dance with seasonal songs and stories. Evocative photography provides a visual backdrop throughout the performance, connecting audiences with holiday customs and traditions from across Ireland.
The 2026 ensemble features vocalists Laura Jo and Jack Warnock; Mac Diarmada on fiddle; Caoimhín Ó Fearghaíl on flute and uilleann pipes; Gráinne Hambly on harp; and Samantha Harvey performing old-style Irish dance.
First conceived in 2005, Irish Christmas in America has welcomed an acclaimed roster of guest vocalists over the years, including Cathy Jordan, Caitríona Sherlock, Niamh Farrell, Séamus and Méabh Begley, Teresa Horgan, Lumiere, Cara Dillon, Karan Casey, Michael Londra and Cathy Ryan.
For Mac Diarmada, the production provides an opportunity to introduce American audiences to traditional—and sometimes little-known—Irish Christmas customs while celebrating the music and traditions that have helped preserve them across generations.
Tickets range from $39 to $59 and are on sale now.
The Randy Owen Center for the Performing Arts is designed to inspire a love of performing arts in all students, engage with lifelong learners seeking to elevate their passions, and enrich the Jax State campus and surrounding communities through cultural touchstones.
The College of Arts, Humanities, and Sciences offers a distinctive environment for investigation, intellectual curiosity, creative expression, and discovery. Our diverse and accomplished faculty and staff cultivate learning-centered environments where students thrive from critical thought, engaging educational experiences, and an expansive worldview. Offering both general education and specialized undergraduate and graduate programs, the college is the intellectual gateway to all academic programs at the university.
Jacksonville State University: Founded in 1883 as a state teachers' college, Jacksonville State University has grown from humble beginnings into the Alabama regional university with the highest percentage of accredited programs. Located in the Appalachian foothills midway between Birmingham and Atlanta, Jax State offers more than 150 courses of study, including over 40 online programs, at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To learn more, visit www.jsu.edu, call 1-800-231-JAX1, or e-mail jaxfacts@jsu.edu.