Highland Games and Scottish Festivals 2027: Dates and Visitor Guide

AI-generated illustration of bagpipers in tartan kilts at an outdoor Scottish gathering, with spectators, tents and Highland hills.

Planning a Highland Games trip in 2027? Grandfather Mountain is scheduled for 8–11 July, Fergus for 13–15 August and Braemar for 4 September. This guide brings together announced dates in the USA, Canada, Scotland and Australia, with the details that matter when you’re choosing a day, booking a stay or deciding what to bring.

Start with the country you want to visit. Alongside the Games, you’ll find a few Scottish music and cultural festivals worth building a trip around.

Dates checked: 10 October 2026. This is a selected calendar of organiser-confirmed dates. Programmes and ticket arrangements may follow later. Official sources are grouped at the end.

Planning your outfit, too? Choose a custom Scottish clan shirt for the day, and see the practical clothing tips below.

Highland Games in the USA in 2027

The US calendar starts early: Florida has confirmed gatherings in January and February. Summer brings events in Ohio, North Carolina, Massachusetts and Washington, followed by a busy September in California, Virginia, Colorado and New Hampshire.

Announced 2027 dates
2027 dates Event and location
– Central Florida Scottish Highland Games
Central Winds Park, Winter Springs, Florida
– Tallahassee Highland Games
Apalachee Regional Park, Tallahassee, Florida
Northeast Florida Scottish Highland Games
Clay County Fairgrounds, Green Cove Springs, Florida
– San Antonio Highland Games and Celtic Music Festival
Helotes Festival Grounds, Helotes, Texas
– Ohio Scottish Games and Celtic Festival
Cuyahoga County Fairgrounds, Berea, Ohio
– Grandfather Mountain Highland Games
MacRae Meadows, Linville, North Carolina
Glasgow Lands Scottish Festival
Florence, Northampton, Massachusetts
– Pacific Northwest Scottish Highland Games and Clan Gathering
Enumclaw, Washington
– Scottish Highland Gathering and Games
Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, California
– Virginia Scottish Games
Great Meadow, The Plains, Virginia
– Longs Peak Scottish-Irish Highland Festival
Estes Park, Colorado
– New Hampshire Highland Games and Festival
Loon Mountain Resort, Lincoln, New Hampshire
– Colorado Highland Games
Denver Polo Club, Sedalia, Colorado

Choosing your US Games weekend

Allow time for the last part of the journey. At Grandfather Mountain, most visitors use off-site parking and shuttle buses. New Hampshire also uses off-site parking in Lincoln and shuttles to Loon Mountain. Check the final transport arrangements before deciding how early to leave your accommodation.

Check what an evening ticket includes. At Longs Peak, the Estes Park International Tattoo has separate ticketing or add-on arrangements from festival field admission. If the Tattoo is part of your plan, include it when choosing your tickets.

Watch the September overlaps. Pleasanton and Virginia both run on 4–5 September. Colorado has two separate events later in the month: Longs Peak in Estes Park on 10–12 September, then the Colorado Highland Games at Denver Polo Club in Sedalia on 25–26 September.

Highland Games in Canada in 2027

Canada’s announced dates stretch from Victoria in May to Almonte in August. Read the two longer festival periods carefully: a week of celebrations does not necessarily mean a full Games programme every day.

Announced 2027 dates
2027 dates Event and location
– Victoria Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Victoria, British Columbia; Games at Topaz Park
Festival period. Main Games days to be checked in the 2027 programme.
– Greater Moncton Highland Games and Scottish Festival
Greater Moncton, New Brunswick
Festival period. Masters World Championships athletics: 12–13 June.
– ScotFestBC The British Columbia Highland Games
Town Centre Park, Coquitlam, British Columbia
– New Brunswick Highland Games Festival
Fredericton, New Brunswick
– Glengarry Highland Games
Maxville, Ontario
Montreal Highland Games and Festival
Douglas Hospital grounds, Verdun, Montreal, Quebec
– Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games
Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex, Fergus, Ontario
North Lanark Highland Games
N.L.A.S. Fairgrounds, Almonte, Ontario

Making the most of the Canadian calendar

Choose your competition day before booking your stay. Victoria’s 15–23 May announcement covers the festival period; its detailed 2027 programme is still to come. In Greater Moncton, the Masters World Championships athletics are scheduled for 12–13 June, with piping, drumming, dance and cultural activities listed for 12 June.

Consider a car-free arrival at ScotFestBC. Town Centre Park is a short walk from Lafarge Lake–Douglas station on the SkyTrain Millennium Line. ScotFestBC has announced that 2027 tickets will go on sale on 1 December 2026.

Glengarry and Montreal fall on consecutive dates. Glengarry runs on 30–31 July and Montreal follows on 1 August. They’re worth comparing if you’re planning a longer visit to eastern Canada, with travel time and accommodation checked separately.

For an autumn music trip, Celtic Colours International Festival runs from 8–16 October 2027 across Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. It’s covered in our 2027 Irish and Celtic festivals guide, alongside other music-led gatherings.

Highland Games in Scotland in 2027

If you’re choosing a Scottish holiday around the Games, put the event date into your itinerary first. Inveraray is a Tuesday gathering, Cowal runs from Thursday to Saturday, and several popular choices share a weekend.

Announced 2027 dates
2027 dates Event and location
Atholl Gathering
Blair Castle, Blair Atholl, Perthshire
Inverness Highland Games
Bught Park, Inverness
Inveraray Highland Games
Inveraray Castle grounds, Argyll
Nairn Highland Games
Nairn Links
Stirling Highland Games and International Gathering
Stirling Sports Village, Stirling
– Cowal Highland Gathering
Dunoon, Argyll
Lonach Highland Gathering and Games
Bellabeg, Strathdon, Aberdeenshire
Braemar Gathering
Princess Royal and Duke of Fife Memorial Park, Braemar
Pitlochry Highland Games
Recreation Ground, Ferry Road, Pitlochry

Dates that need a little extra planning

  • Atholl has two distinct days. The Atholl Highlanders Parade is on 29 May 2027; the Atholl Gathering is on 30 May. Choose the day that matches what you want to see.
  • Cowal and Lonach overlap. Cowal’s final day and Lonach both fall on 28 August. Treat them as alternative choices for that Saturday.
  • Braemar and Pitlochry are a week apart. Braemar is on 4 September and Pitlochry on 11 September. Braemar has announced a ticket release date of 1 February 2027.
  • Plan for an outdoor day. Pitlochry specifically warns that there is no wet-weather cover and recommends strong footwear. A waterproof layer is worth making room for.

Scottish music and cultural festivals in 2027

If the pipes, live music or Gaelic culture are the main draw, these dates may suit your trip too. They are separate festivals and championships, each with its own programme and admission arrangements.

  • Celtic Connections: 14–31 January, Glasgow. A winter music festival spread across city venues.
  • Scotland’s Tartan Festival: 15 May, Crieff. A planned celebration of tartan, with the programme being developed.
  • HebCelt arena weekend: 15–17 July, Stornoway. The confirmed arena dates are at Lews Castle Green. Check town and community events separately when planning a longer stay.
  • Piping Live!: 8–13 August, Glasgow. Its dates connect with the World Pipe Band Championships for a piping-focused visit.
  • World Pipe Band Championships: 13–14 August, Glasgow Green. Check the difference between general admission and allocated Grade 1 seating when choosing tickets.
  • Royal National Mòd: 8–16 October, Western Isles. A Gaelic language and cultural event; use the published venue programme when choosing where to stay.

Highland Games in Australia in 2027

These announced dates give you three Scottish gatherings to consider, from Melbourne in March to Bundanoon in April and Aberdeen in July. The Aberdeen event is in New South Wales’ Hunter Valley.

Announced 2027 dates
2027 dates Event and location
Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival
Melbourne, Victoria
Check the forthcoming 2027 venue details before booking nearby accommodation.
Brigadoon Bundanoon Highland Gathering
Bundanoon, New South Wales
Aberdeen Highland Games
Jefferson Park, Aberdeen, Hunter Valley, New South Wales

For Bundanoon, wait for the 2027 transport information before relying on special train services described in an older programme. For Melbourne, the date is announced, but the venue and opening hours shown in its 2026 recap should not be used as a 2027 booking guide.

Two mixed Celtic festivals also belong on the Australian shortlist: the Australian Celtic Festival in Glen Innes, 29 April–2 May 2027, which focuses on Ireland and the Isle of Man that year, and the National Celtic Folk Festival in Portarlington, 11–14 June 2027. Find their fuller entries in our Irish and Celtic festivals guide for 2027.

Other Highland Games dates still to confirm for 2027

Looking for a familiar event that isn’t in the tables? We haven’t included a 2027 date for the following gatherings because it wasn’t confirmed in the organiser information checked for this guide:

  • USA: Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, Stone Mountain Scottish Festival and Highland Games, and Dunedin Highland Games.
  • Canada: Antigonish Highland Games and Canmore Highland Games.
  • Scotland: Bridge of Allan, Ceres and Gourock Highland Games. Crieff Highland Gathering is also being held out of the calendar while conflicting date information is resolved.
  • Australia: Daylesford Highland Gathering.

Charleston Scottish Games has discussed a return in 2027, with fundraising and a new venue still part of that plan. An exact date and venue are not confirmed here. For any of these events, use the organiser links below rather than carrying a previous year’s weekend forward.

Planning your first Highland Games visit

A good first visit leaves time to watch something properly. Pick the athletics, piping, dancing or live music you most want to see, then leave room to explore the rest of the field.

  1. Find the right day. Start with the detailed programme when it’s released. A festival can include an evening concert, a parade and a Games day on different dates. Check the massed bands or opening ceremony time if that’s a priority.
  2. Match the ticket to your plans. Compare day and weekend admission, evening events and any reserved seating. A festival pass may not include every concert, tasting or Tattoo.
  3. Work out the arrival details. Check parking, shuttle stops and walking distances before booking a nearby stay. If you need step-free access, accessible parking or seating, read the organiser’s access information for the actual event site.
  4. Make time for the clan and heritage tents. Where they’re part of the programme, take a few useful details with you: family surnames, alternative spellings, places and a question you’d like to explore. A conversation may give you a useful research lead.
  5. Read the site rules before packing. Chairs, dogs, bags, outside food and payment options vary. Check the rules for your chosen event rather than assuming last year’s arrangements apply.

For a family visit, check the age range of children’s activities, places to take a break and the distance from parking to the entrance. A shorter day built around one or two highlights can be easier than trying to see the entire programme.

What to wear to Highland Games

Start with shoes you can comfortably walk and stand in, then dress for the forecast. Many Games involve grass fields and long stretches outdoors. Bring a waterproof layer for rain, something warmer for a cool evening, and sun protection when the conditions call for it.

A clan shirt is an easy way to add a personal touch without making the outfit complicated. Wear it on its own in warm weather or beneath an extra layer when you need one.

Our custom Scottish clan crest and tartan Comfort Colors T-shirt lets you choose the clan name for the design. It has a relaxed unisex fit and soft-washed, garment-dyed, 100% ring-spun cotton, with sizes S–4XL. Check the available sizes and colour options before ordering.

If you’d rather browse, explore the Scottish clan apparel collection for shirts and other layers. For a more playful choice, there’s also our funny Scottish shirts collection.

Choosing a name or design can be part of enjoying your family story. For tracing the family itself, keep working from records and the people and places you can document.

A Highland cow shirt for a playful Scottish outfit

For a coo-inspired choice, Scottish Roots, Highland Heart combines a Highland cow with thistles. This premium Comfort Colors 1717 tee is garment-dyed, 100% ring-spun cotton with a relaxed unisex fit in S–4XL.

Scottish Roots, Highland Heart Highland cow design on a Butter Comfort Colors 1717 T-shirt, flat lay
Scottish Roots, Highland Heart, shown in Butter, adds a playful Scottish touch to a casual Games outfit.

Explore the Highland cow T-shirt collection or our guide to choosing a design for your Games companion. Finish the outfit with comfortable shoes and layers for the forecast.

Highland Games visitor questions

What happens at Highland Games?

Highland Games commonly combine heavy athletics, such as the caber toss and stone put, with piping, drumming and Highland dancing. Many also have live music, food, traders and clan or heritage tents. The mix varies, so the programme is the best way to choose between events.

Can I go if I don’t know my Scottish clan?

Yes. You can enjoy the Games without arriving with a completed family tree. If there are clan or genealogy tents, use the visit to ask questions and learn. A surname can be a starting point for research; it doesn’t establish a particular family connection on its own.

Is a festival date range the same as the main Games weekend?

Not always. Victoria’s announced 15–23 May 2027 span is a festival period. Greater Moncton’s festival runs from 6–13 June, while its Masters World Championships athletics are scheduled for 12–13 June. Check the day-by-day programme before choosing travel dates.

Can I bring my dog?

Check the event’s own policy. The current visitor information for Pitlochry welcomes dogs on leads, while New Hampshire excludes pets apart from service animals. Confirm the policy again before travelling, including any arrangements relevant to an assistance or service dog.

Can I take part in the competitions?

Spectator admission and competition entry are different arrangements. If you want to compete in athletics, dancing, piping or drumming, check the relevant organiser’s registration, eligibility and closing dates. Look for separately advertised beginner or “try it” activities if you’d like a first introduction.

How are Highland Games different from Irish and Celtic festivals?

Highland Games centre on Scottish sporting and cultural traditions. Irish festivals may focus more on Irish music, dance and community celebrations, while Celtic festivals can bring several traditions together. Some events overlap: Longs Peak is explicitly Scottish-Irish, for example. Choose by the actual programme as well as the name.

Once you’ve chosen your Games weekend, you can choose a clan shirt for the day. Leave time to check the fit and the delivery estimate for your destination.

Official sources and date checks

The calendar dates above were checked against organiser announcements on 10 October 2026. Use these official pages for tickets, the latest programme and visitor arrangements before booking or travelling.

USA organiser sources
Canada organiser sources
Scotland organiser sources
Australia organiser sources

Main image: AI-generated illustration of a Scottish gathering, rather than a photograph of a named event.