Where to Experience Scottish & Celtic Heritage Around the World in 2026
For many families, Highland Games and Celtic festivals are more than just events—they're gatherings that celebrate heritage, music, athletics, and community. Whether you're tracing your family roots, enjoying pipe bands and heavy athletics, or simply spending a day surrounded by tartans and tradition, 2026 offers dozens of opportunities across the United States, Canada, Scotland, and Australia.
Quick Answer: The biggest Highland Games still to come in 2026 include the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in North Carolina (July 9–12), the Pacific Northwest Highland Games in Enumclaw, Washington (July 24–26), the Fergus Scottish Festival in Ontario (August 7–9), the Cowal Highland Gathering in Dunoon, Scotland (August 27–29), the Braemar Gathering (September 5), the 50th anniversary Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park, Colorado (September 11–13), the New Hampshire Highland Games (September 18–20), the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania (September 25–27), and the Stone Mountain Highland Games in Georgia (October 16–18). Full confirmed dates for each country are listed below.
These festivals bring together clans, athletes, musicians, vendors, and families who share a love of Celtic culture. If you've ever wanted to hear the pipes echoing across a field or watch the caber toss in person, this is the year to plan your visit. Many families enjoy representing their clan at these gatherings—you can use the search bar above to look up your family name and see what's available.
What Are the Biggest Highland Games in the United States in 2026?
The United States hosts some of the largest Highland Games outside Scotland. The season opens in Florida each January and runs right through to Texas in November, with the legendary Grandfather Mountain Highland Games—now in its 70th year—as the crown jewel of the American calendar. Most games return to the same weekend every year, so even the earlier dates below are a reliable guide for planning ahead.
| Event | 2026 Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Central Florida Scottish Highland Games | January 17–18 | Winter Springs, FL |
| Sherman Celtic Festival & Highland Games | March 21–22 | Sherman, TX |
| San Antonio Highland Games | March 28–29 | San Antonio, TX |
| Dunedin Highland Games | April 11 | Dunedin, FL |
| Las Vegas Highland Games | April 18–19 | Las Vegas, NV |
| Alaska Scottish Highland Games | June 27–28 | Anchorage, AK |
| Grandfather Mountain Highland Games | July 9–12 | MacRae Meadows, Linville, NC |
| Ligonier Highland Games | July 18 | Idlewild Park, Ligonier, PA |
| Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival | July 18 | Blandford, MA |
| Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games | July 24–26 | Enumclaw, WA |
| St. Andrew's Society of Detroit Highland Games | July 31 – August 1 | Metro Detroit, MI |
| Midnight Sun Scottish Highland Games | August 15 | Fairbanks, AK |
| Scottish Highland Gathering & Games | September 5–6 | Pleasanton, CA |
| Virginia Scottish Games | September 5–6 | The Plains, VA |
| Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival | September 11–13 | Estes Park, CO |
| Middle Tennessee Highland Games | September 12–13 | Hendersonville, TN |
| New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival | September 18–20 | Loon Mountain, Lincoln, NH |
| Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival | September 25–27 | Bethlehem, PA |
| Colorado Highland Games | September 26–27 | Snowmass, CO |
| Harpers Ferry Highland Games | October 2–4 | Harpers Ferry, WV |
| Scotland Connecticut Highland Games | October 10 | Scotland, CT |
| Stone Mountain Highland Games | October 16–18 | Stone Mountain Park, GA |
| Austin Celtic Festival | November 7–8 | Austin, TX |
| Salado Scottish Gathering of the Clans | November 13–15 | Salado, TX |
The Grandfather Mountain Highland Games, held at MacRae Meadows near Linville, celebrate their 70th anniversary in 2026 and remain America's grandest gathering of Scottish clans, opening with the Thursday night Torch Light Ceremony. The Celtic Classic in Bethlehem is the largest free Celtic festival in North America and hosts the U.S. National Highland Games Championship, while Stone Mountain marks its 54th year in Georgia. These events typically include athletics, Highland dancing, pipe bands, clan tents, food vendors, and heritage exhibits, making them ideal family outings as well as cultural experiences.
A few calendar notes for 2026: the Ligonier Highland Games in Pennsylvania have moved from their traditional September date to July 18, and the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in Estes Park celebrates its 50th anniversary this September, complete with the spectacular Estes Park International Tattoo. Sadly, the long-running Charleston Scottish Games in South Carolina have been cancelled for 2026 while organisers search for a new venue, with hopes of returning in 2027.
Which Highland Games and Festivals Take Place in Canada in 2026?
Canada's Scottish heritage runs deep, and its Highland Games are some of the most historic outside Scotland itself. The Antigonish Highland Games in Nova Scotia are among the oldest continuously running games in the world, and the Fergus Scottish Festival in Ontario celebrates its 81st year in 2026.
| Event | 2026 Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival | May 9–17 | Victoria, BC |
| Antigonish Highland Games | July 5–12 | Antigonish, NS |
| New Brunswick Highland Games | July 24–26 | Fredericton, NB |
| Glengarry Highland Games | July 31 – August 1 | Maxville, ON |
| Montreal Highland Games | August 2 | Montreal, QC |
| Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games | August 7–9 | Fergus, ON |
| North Lanark Highland Games | August 22 | Almonte, ON |
| Canmore Highland Games | September 4–6 | Canmore, AB |
| Celtic Colours International Festival | October 9–17 | Cape Breton, NS |
Canadian festivals are known for strong pipe band competitions and vibrant clan participation. The Canmore Highland Games, set against the Rocky Mountains, and Celtic Colours across Cape Breton in October are two of the most scenic ways to close out the North American season.
When Are the Highland Games in Scotland in 2026?
There's nothing quite like experiencing Highland Games in Scotland itself, where the traditions began. The 2026 season opened at Gourock on the Clyde in May and closes with the Bowhill Games in September—more than sixty gatherings in between, many held on castle grounds and village greens that have hosted competitions for generations.
| Event | 2026 Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Gourock Highland Games (season opener) | May 10 | Gourock, Inverclyde |
| Gordon Castle Highland Games | May 17 | Fochabers, Moray |
| Atholl Gathering & Highlanders' Parade | May 23–24 | Blair Castle, Perthshire |
| Inverness Highland Games | July 11 | Bught Park, Inverness |
| Inveraray Highland Games | July 21 | Inveraray Castle, Argyll |
| Aboyne Highland Games | August 1 | Aboyne, Aberdeenshire |
| Isle of Skye Highland Games | August 5 | Portree, Skye |
| Crieff Highland Gathering | August 16 | Crieff, Perthshire |
| Lonach Highland Gathering | August 22 | Strathdon, Aberdeenshire |
| Cowal Highland Gathering | August 27–29 | Dunoon, Argyll |
| The Braemar Gathering | September 5 | Braemar, Aberdeenshire |
| Pitlochry Highland Games | September 12 | Pitlochry, Perthshire |
| Bowhill Highland Games (season closer) | September 13 | Bowhill, Fife |
The Braemar Gathering is the most famous of them all, held on the first Saturday of September in the Cairngorms and traditionally attended by the Royal Family since the days of Queen Victoria. The Cowal Highland Gathering at Dunoon is the largest attended games in Scotland, drawing pipe bands from around the world for three days of competition.
What Celtic Festivals and Highland Games Happen in Australia in 2026?
Celtic heritage thrives in Australia, and the calendar runs almost year-round thanks to the southern seasons.
| Event | 2026 Dates | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Brigadoon – Bundanoon Highland Gathering | April 18 | Bundanoon, NSW |
| Australian Celtic Festival | April 30 – May 3 | Glen Innes, NSW |
| Beaudesert Celtic Festival | June 13–14 | Beaudesert, QLD |
| Aberdeen Highland Games | July 4 | Aberdeen, NSW |
| Daylesford Highland Gathering | December 5 | Daylesford, VIC |
The 45th Brigadoon at Bundanoon opened with a street parade of more than 20 pipe bands, while the Australian Celtic Festival takes place at the Australian Standing Stones in Glen Innes—the national monument to Australia's Celtic pioneers. The Daylesford Highland Gathering, running since 1952, closes the year on December 5 with a street march down Vincent Street and a full day of pipe bands and heavy games at Victoria Park. These events are especially popular with families interested in history, genealogy, and traditional crafts.
If you're heading to any of these gatherings, it's always fun to go wearing your surname with pride. Use the search bar above to look up your family name and see what's available before the big day.
Why Do Highland Games Still Matter?
Highland Games are not just about sport—they are living cultural traditions. They preserve music, language, dance, and clan identity in a way that few other events can. For many people, attending a Highland Games is the first time they see their surname represented on a clan tent or hear stories connected to their ancestors. These gatherings keep history alive and pass traditions to the next generation.
What Should You Wear to a Highland Games?
There's no dress code—tartan is warmly welcomed, but so are shorts and sunscreen. One of the most enjoyable parts of attending is seeing families proudly wearing their clan names. T-shirts featuring surnames or clan designs are especially popular because they're comfortable, easy to pack, and perfect for long summer days outdoors. Many visitors find a clan t-shirt is the easiest way to start conversations and meet others who share the same surname at the clan tents.
Click the image to see our Highland Games t-shirt collection
How Do You Plan a Visit to a Highland Games in 2026?
If you're planning to attend a Highland Games this year, a little preparation goes a long way:
- Confirm dates on the official event website — schedules occasionally shift, and tickets for the biggest games (Braemar, Grandfather Mountain, Fergus) sell out well in advance.
- Book accommodation early — villages like Braemar, Linville, and Estes Park fill up months ahead of the games weekend.
- Arrive early in the day to catch opening ceremonies, massed pipe bands, and the athletics heats.
- Visit the clan tents and genealogy booths — bring your family surnames and questions; this is where many people first connect with their heritage.
- Dress for the weather — mountain and Highland venues can serve up sun and rain in the same afternoon.
For more on the traditions you'll see at the games, our guides to whether anyone can wear a tartan, the story of Clan Farquharson and Braemar, and the saga of Scottish migration to America make excellent companion reading.
Highland Games 2026: Frequently Asked Questions
When is the Braemar Gathering in 2026?
The Braemar Gathering takes place on Saturday, September 5, 2026, at the Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park in Braemar, Aberdeenshire. It is traditionally attended by members of the Royal Family.
When are the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games in 2026?
The 70th Grandfather Mountain Highland Games run July 9–12, 2026, at MacRae Meadows near Linville, North Carolina, beginning with the Thursday night Torch Light Ceremony.
When is the Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival in 2026?
The Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival celebrates its 50th anniversary September 11–13, 2026, at the Estes Park Fairgrounds in Estes Park, Colorado. The golden anniversary weekend includes the famous Estes Park International Tattoo, Highland athletics, pipe bands, and one of the largest clan gatherings in North America.
Are the Charleston Scottish Games happening in 2026?
No. The Charleston Scottish Games and Highland Gathering, one of the oldest games in the Southeast, has been cancelled for 2026 due to rising venue costs. Organisers are fundraising and searching for a new location, with hopes of returning in 2027.
Do you have to be Scottish to attend a Highland Games?
Not at all. Highland Games welcome everyone, and many attendees come simply for the music, athletics, and food. If you do have Scottish or Irish roots, the clan tents and genealogy booths are a wonderful place to start exploring them.
Are Highland Games free to attend?
It varies. Some, like the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, are free festivals, while larger ticketed games such as Braemar and Grandfather Mountain charge admission and often sell out early. Always check the official event website before travelling.
Celebrating Heritage Every Day
Highland Games and Celtic festivals remind us that heritage isn't just history—it's something we carry with us every day. We carry thousands of Scottish and Irish surnames across a wide range of products, helping families celebrate their heritage year-round. Use the search bar above to find your name and discover ways to represent your family with pride at the games and beyond.