California Scottish Festivals

ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE:

SONORA Sonora Celtic Faire March 8-10, 2024
sonoracelticfaire.com
A special Friday Night Kick-Off Party, which starts at 7pm, will feature many Celtic bands and dancers at the festivals large pub tavern, cost approx. $15. The largest gathering of Celtic musicians will be one of the highlights at this year's event, from high-energy Celtic rock bands to the most traditional of groups. With 11 musical groups, performing on five stage

BAKERSFIELD -  Kern County Scottish Games and Gathering  April 22-23, 2023
kernscot.org
Kern County Fairgrounds 1142 South P St. Bakersfield, CA Gathering & Games 9 am to 5 pm

COSTA MESA ScotsFest Memorial Day Weekend May 27-28, 2023
Orange County Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa, Ca. Adult One Day - $30/day, scottishfest.com

NEVADA CITY Alasdair Fraser's Sierra Fiddle Camp Saturday June 17-25, 2023
sierrafiddlecamp.org
A week of intensive study, recreation, and good times with people who share an interest in the music and dance traditions of Scotland and beyond. Shady Creek Camp on the San Juan Ridge near Nevada City, CA

SAN DIEGO / VISTA -San Diego Scottish Highland Games & Gathering of the Clans is June 24-25, 2023, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Brengle Terrace Park
Vista, CA
sdhighlandgames.org
Tickets $18 pre, $20 gate
Entertainment with many Irish bands, a marketplace, food vendors and the famous games make this a wonderful gathering of the clans event you won't want to miss--Scottish or not.

MONTEREY/SALINAS Scottish Games & Celtic Festival  2023 not announced
montereyscotgames.com

The Scottish Society of the Monterey Peninsula and The Salinas Jaycees present The  Annual event at Monterey County Fairgrounds

BLUE LAKE: Redwood Highland Games likely in July 2023
Scottish Society hosts games, potluck, music & fun.
Perigot Park
Blue Lake, CA
facebook.com/ northcoastscots.org
Bands include Tempest, a Celtic Rock band | Vanishing Pints | Katie Jane Band
Contests include Irish Dance, Beard Contest, Bonny Knees
Scottish Heavy Athletics
Clan Village
Piping Competition
Celtic Entertainment
Children's Glen
Beard & Bonny Knee Contest
Village Market Place
Scottish Food & Drinks and Haggis

PLEASANTON: Scottish Highland Gathering & Games September 2-3, 2023

Alameda County Fairgrounds
4501 Pleasanton Ave.
Alameda, CA
$  thescottishgames.com

The Caledonian Club of San Francisco presents its annual Scottish Highland Gathering & Games at the Alameda County Fairgrounds. Events include: Archery | British Cars | Birds of Prey | Celtic Heritage | Childrens Glen | Clydesdales | Concert | Gathering of the Clans | Grandstand Show | Heavy Athletic Events | Highland Dancing | Irish Dancing | Kilted Mile Race | Living History Musical Entertainment | Piping and Drumming | Rugby and Shinty | Scottish Cattle | Sheep Dog Trials | Soccer and Whisky Tasting.

DIXON: Scottish Games September 30, 2023, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Dixon May Fairgrounds
655 S. First Street
Dixon, California
$, scotsindixon.org

Last Saturday in September. Event has not been held for several years but promises to return in 2023.

Past bands

• The Black Irish Band
• The BlackEyed Dempseys
• Riggity Jig
• Michael Mullen's  Trio of One
• Duncan McMartin and his band Flask 

Ceilidh & BBQ after the games! This is a celebration of the Scottish culture that you can experience up close and personal. There are many elements to the event, something to engage everyone's interest. Experience the sights and sounds of Scotland. Our Scottish Games will be better than ever with all the pageantry you have come to expect. Enjoy Scottish, Celtic, and Irish folk musicians; bagpipe bands; Scottish gifts, foods, ales, and whiskies; Scottish athletic competitions; Scottish animal and living-history exhibits; Highland dancing; Irish Dancing; rugby tournament; shinty; clan information booths; children's activities; pageantry of the opening and closing ceremonies; and a wee bit more fun for the entire family. Scottish Games

GRASS VALLEY Celtic Festival September 30-October 1, 2023
$30-65/day, kvmrcelticfestival.org
Nevada County Fairgrounds
11228 McCourtney Road
Grass Valley, CA
Come for the Music... Stay for the Magic! The Annual KVMR Celtic Festival will be held at The Nevada County Fairgrounds. 

VENTURA October 14-15, 2023 Seaside Highland Games seaside-games.com
Seaside Park in beautiful Ventura County, California Ventura County Fairgrounds
10 W Harbor Blvd
Ventura, CA
Whisky Tasting & Scottish evening
THE GAMES 9:00 am to 5:00 pm What you'll experience: Large Men Throwing Stuff
Massed Pipebands
Scottish Fiddling Competition
Scottish Entertainers
Clan Tents
Children's Glen
British Food
Highland Re-enactments
Dancing
Dart Competition

MODESTO: Highland Games & Gathering of the Clans working on an October date in 2023   standrewsmodesto.org

FRESNO  Fresno Highland Gathering & Games September 16, 2023
Kearney Park
Fresno, CA fresnoscottishsociety.org

Past events

WOODLAND Woodland Celtic Games & Festival April  no event in 2022

Yolo County Fairgrounds Woodland, CA Gates open at 9 a.m. both days, Event still on the last full weekend. $17-23, woodlandcelticgames.org

FREMONT: Tartan Day no current events announced
 Ardenwood Historical Farm, 34600 Ardenwood Blvd, Fremont, CA, $12 eastbayscots.org, Celebrating all things Scotland, this event usually includes: Scottish Heavy Athletics Nor-Cal Shinty Scrimmage Historical Re-Enactors Clan Tents, European Martial Arts, Scottish and Irish-themed shopping, Scottish Animals - Celtic Lurchers and Childrens Glen | Ren faires
Regardless of where your family's history started, it's important to celebrate cultural heritage.) The East Bay Scottish Association is dedicated to celebrating the full, rich culture of Scotland through interactive events such as the Tartan Day Scottish Faire. Tartan Day, as we currently celebrate it every April 6th , started in New York City in 1982 as a celebration of contributions by Scottish Americans to the United States throughout its history. This marks the date a declaration of Scottish independence against Edward I's English rule, known the Declaration of Arbroath, was signed in 1320 and submitted to Pope John XXII. The declaration intended to confirm Scotland's status as an independent, sovereign state, defending Scotland's right to use military action when unjustly attacked. Over the next 300 years, thousands of Scots fled their home for a better future in the Americas.

 

Events are not guaranteed. It is your responsibility to confirm before going.