Alaska Scottish Highland Games 2026

Alaska Scottish Highland Games 2026 will take place on June 27–28, 2026, at the Alaska State Fairgrounds in Palmer, Alaska, bringing Highland athletics, Celtic music, dancing, clan gatherings, vendors and Scottish cultural traditions together for a full weekend celebration.

The event is organized by The Alaskan Scottish Club, which presents the Games as one of its main annual cultural celebrations. The official venue is 2075 Glenn Highway, Palmer, AK 99645, with activities scheduled from 8:00 AM on Saturday, June 27, to 6:00 PM on Sunday, June 28.

For visitors planning a summer festival route, this event fits naturally alongside other Celtic Festivals and seasonal listings for Renaissance Faires and Medieval Festivals in June 2026.

🏴 Scottish Culture, Highland Sports and Family Entertainment

The Alaska Scottish Highland Games 2026 celebrates Scottish heritage in Alaska through a wide range of traditional activities, competitions and entertainment for all ages. Visitors can expect Highland athletics, clan gatherings, Celtic music, dancing, food, vendors and cultural demonstrations throughout the two-day event.

Special registrations are available for several featured activities and contests, including:

• Heavy Events
• Denali Stones
• Tug-O-War Championships
• Strongman competitions
• Children’s events
• Other contests and community activities

The Games also include related experiences promoted by The Alaskan Scottish Club, such as Scottish culinary demonstrations, tasting tickets, special performances and fundraising events connected to the weekend celebration.

🕒 Schedule

• Saturday, June 27, 2026 — 8:00 AM
  • Opening day activities begin at the Alaska State Fairgrounds.
• Sunday, June 28, 2026 — 6:00 PM
  • The weekend program concludes.

🎟 Visitor Information

The Alaska Scottish Highland Games 2026 is held rain or shine. Children aged five and under are admitted free with an adult.

The Alaska State Fairgrounds is a smoke-free property, and pets are not allowed on site, with the exception of ADA service dogs.

🏰 Alaska State Fairgrounds

The Alaska State Fairgrounds is one of Palmer’s best-known event venues and hosts large public gatherings, cultural celebrations and community events throughout the year. Its location on Glenn Highway makes it a practical setting for a two-day festival that brings together athletes, performers, clans, vendors and visitors from across Alaska and beyond.

📍 About Palmer, Alaska

Palmer is located in the Matanuska Valley, northeast of Anchorage, and has a population of about 5,888 residents. The city is closely associated with the Matanuska Colony, a 1935 New Deal agricultural settlement that helped shape Palmer’s identity as a farming community in Alaska.

By road, the Alaska State Fairgrounds can be reached via the Glenn Highway, the main route linking Palmer with Anchorage, Wasilla and other communities in the Matanuska-Susitna area. For rail travel, visitors can use Alaska Railroad passenger services to nearby regional stops and continue by road to Palmer, as regular passenger service does not operate directly into the city center.

🚗 Approximate Distances from Palmer