25th Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games 2026

Name: 25th Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games 2026
Start: 2026-09-19T00:00:00-04:00
End: 2026-09-20T23:59:59-04:00
Location: Niagara County Fairgrounds

September 19 - September 20

The 25th Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games 2026 will take place September 19–20 at the Niagara County Fairgrounds in Lockport, New York, bringing together Highland athletics, Celtic music and dance, living-history groups, pipe bands, clan organizations, traditional crafts and family activities. The anniversary edition runs from 10:00 AM to 10:00 PM on Saturday and 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Sunday.

The festival was established in 2001 and has developed into one of Western New York’s major celebrations of Irish, Scottish, Welsh and wider Celtic heritage. Around 12,000 visitors and participants typically attend the two-day gathering, which combines athletic competition with heritage interpretation, music, food, crafts and activities for children.

Visitors planning other historical events in the region can also explore Renaissance and Medieval Festivals in New York. The festival also falls within a busy period for Renaissance Faires and Medieval Festivals in September 2026.

⚔️ Highland Games

Traditional Highland athletics form one of the central parts of the weekend. Competitors take part in events associated with Scottish heavy athletics, including the caber toss, Braemar Stone, sheaf toss, Emil Stone and weighted throws for height and distance.

Saturday’s competition includes women’s amateur divisions as well as men’s age-group amateur divisions. Sunday features men’s amateur competition together with professional 50+ and 60+ divisions.

The Highland Games field is located in Highland Park, which also contains the Clan Village and provides one of the principal heritage areas on the festival grounds.

🎵 Celtic Music, Pipe Bands and Dance

Music runs across several performance areas throughout the weekend. The Fireside Stage, Dragonfly Stage, Celtic Arts Stage, Motte & Bailey Arena and Cara Stage host a mixture of Celtic rock, folk music, acoustic performers, pipe bands, dancers and traditional sessions.

Among the announced performers are 1916, Kilrush, The Irish Lassies, The Irish Tweeds, Three Parts Whiskey, Crikwater, Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross, Cairde, Setanta, Almost Seamus, McCarthyizm, O’Braca Irish Band, Emerald Isle Band, Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums, Feadán Òr Pipe Band, the 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums and MacKenzie Highlanders’ Pipes and Drums.

Saturday evening continues with the After Hours Ceilidh, extending the Fireside Stage program into the night with live music and the Haggis Eating Competition.

For more events devoted specifically to this heritage, MedievalAgenda also maintains a guide to Celtic Festivals.

🏰 Living History and Celtic Heritage

Historical interpretation extends beyond the athletic field. Re-enactors and heritage organizations demonstrate aspects of medieval and early Celtic life, weaponry, storytelling and material culture.

The 13th Realm focuses on 13th-century European history, while the CNY Gallowglass Society demonstrates basket-hilted broadsword fencing based on historical sources connected with Scotland, Ireland and England. Visitors can also explore the Clan Village, where Celtic family and heritage organizations provide genealogical and cultural information.

Other weekend attractions include blacksmith demonstrations, birds of prey, sheepdog herding, pipe-band presentations, animal exhibits, storytelling and children’s activities.

The Wee Folk Shire provides a dedicated family area, while the Storyteller’s Tree draws on the oral storytelling traditions of Celtic communities. On Sunday, The Wondermakers present interactive story theatre with audience participation.

🌳 The Wishing Tree

The festival’s Wishing Tree is inspired by traditions found across Celtic regions, where trees could become places for symbolic offerings, prayers or wishes. Visitors can add written wishes or ribbons during the weekend.

On Sunday afternoon, the festival concludes this tradition with the Wishing Tree Send-Off, ceremonially marking the end of another year’s collection of wishes.

📍 Niagara County Fairgrounds

The festival occupies the Niagara County Fairgrounds, close to Lockport’s historic district and the Erie Canal. Rather than concentrating activities around a single stage, the grounds are divided into themed areas including Camdenshire, Highland Park, Fiddler’s Green, Madoc Yard and Dagda Faire.

Camdenshire contains the Culture Center, Celtic Arts Stage and Great Hall; Highland Park hosts the athletic field and Clan Village; Fiddler’s Green centers on music, ceremonial fires and the Wishing Tree; Madoc Yard includes the Motte & Bailey Arena, Wee Folk Shire and Special Events Field; and Dagda Faire combines music, crafts and animal demonstrations.

⚔️ Saturday Program — September 19

10:00 AM–10:00 PM: Festival open.

10:00 AM–6:30 PM: Camdenshire open.

10:00 AM–6:00 PM: Highland Park open.

10:00 AM–10:00 PM: Fiddler’s Green open.

10:00 AM–6:30 PM: Madoc Yard open.

10:00 AM–8:00 PM: Dagda Faire open.

10:00 AM–6:30 PM: Vendors and Shop & Dine areas open throughout the festival.

10:00 AM–8:00 PM: Wishing Tree open at Fiddler’s Green.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Birds of Prey Showcase with Sky Hunters USA at Camdenshire.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Highland Games at Highland Park.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Historical presentations at Madoc Yard and Camdenshire.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Clan Village at Highland Park.

10:30 AM: The Blarney Bunch — Fireside Stage.

10:30 AM: The Irish Tweeds — Dragonfly Stage.

11:00 AM–5:00 PM: Wee Folk Shire and The Storyteller’s Tree — Madoc Yard.

11:00 AM: Blacksmith presentation with Spangler Forge — Fiddler’s Green.

12:00 PM: Welcoming Ceremonies and Sun-High Parade — Special Events Field, Madoc Yard.

12:30 PM: Cairde — Celtic Arts Stage.

1:00 PM: Dave Stayner — Cara Stage.

1:00 PM: The 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums, Inc. — Dragonfly Stage.

1:00 PM–5:00 PM: Petting Farm by Shenandoah Acres — Camdenshire.

1:15 PM: Kilrush — Fireside Stage.

1:30 PM: Three Parts Whiskey — Dragonfly Stage.

1:30 PM: “D” Company Buffalo City Guard Gordon Highlanders — Motte & Bailey Arena.

1:30 PM: Sheep Dog Herding with Flying Bucket Farm — Outdoor Riding Arena.

1:45 PM: Setanta — Celtic Arts Stage.

2:30 PM: Blacksmith presentation with Spangler Forge — Fiddler’s Green.

3:00 PM: Tom Callahan — Celtic Arts Stage.

3:00 PM: Caledonian Pipe Band of Buffalo — Clan Village.

3:00 PM: Calling of the Clans — Fiddler’s Green ceremonial fires.

3:30 PM: The Irish Lassies — Fireside Stage.

3:30 PM: Crikwater — Dragonfly Stage.

3:30 PM: MacKenzie Highlanders’ Pipes and Drums — Motte & Bailey Arena.

4:00 PM: Sheep Dog Herding with Flying Bucket Farm — Outdoor Riding Arena.

4:15 PM: Matt Englert — Celtic Arts Stage.

4:30 PM: Celtic Spirit Pipe Band — Motte & Bailey Arena.

5:00 PM: Music at the Fires — Fiddler’s Green.

5:30 PM: Bewitched Buffalo — Dragonfly Stage.

6:00 PM–10:30 PM: After Hours Ceilidh — Fireside Stage.

6:00 PM: Sisters of Murphy — Fireside Stage.

6:00 PM: Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross — Dragonfly Stage.

6:30 PM: Traditional Seisiun — Motte & Bailey Arena.

8:00 PM: Haggis Eating Competition — Fireside Stage.

8:30 PM: 1916 — Fireside Stage.

⚔️ Sunday Program — September 20

10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Festival open; Camdenshire, Highland Park, Fiddler’s Green, Madoc Yard and Dagda Faire open.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Vendors and Shop & Dine areas open throughout the festival.

10:00 AM–2:30 PM: Wishing Tree open — Fiddler’s Green.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Highland Games — Highland Park.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Historical presentations — Madoc Yard and Camdenshire.

10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Clan Village — Highland Park.

10:30 AM: Yellow Jack — Fireside Stage.

11:00 AM–4:00 PM: Wee Folk Shire and The Storyteller’s Tree — Madoc Yard.

11:00 AM: RoCeltic — Motte & Bailey Arena.

11:00 AM: Blacksmith presentation with Spangler Forge — Fiddler’s Green.

11:00 AM: Broadsword fencing demonstration by CNY Gallowglass Society — Highland Park.

11:30 AM: Miniature Horse Show by NE Herd Niagara County 4-H Club — Outdoor Riding Arena.

12:00 PM: Sun-High Parade — Special Events Field.

12:30 PM: Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums — Dragonfly Stage.

12:30 PM: Almost Seamus — Celtic Arts Stage.

1:00 PM: Catch and Release — Fireside Stage.

1:00 PM: O’Braca Irish Band — Dragonfly Stage.

1:00 PM–5:00 PM: Petting Farm by Shenandoah Acres — Camdenshire.

1:00 PM: Be Witched Buffalo — Special Events Field.

1:00 PM: Sheep Dog Herding with Flying Bucket Farm — Outdoor Riding Arena.

1:30 PM: Feadán Òr Pipe Band — Motte & Bailey Arena.

1:30 PM: Agility Dream Dogs Show — Camdenshire.

1:45 PM: Step in Time — Celtic Arts Stage.

2:00 PM: Broadsword fencing demonstration by CNY Gallowglass Society — Highland Park.

2:00 PM: Miniature Horse Show — Outdoor Riding Arena.

2:00 PM: Interactive Story Theater with The Wondermakers — Wee Folk Shire.

2:30 PM: Memorial Service — Motte & Bailey Arena.

3:00 PM: The Lock City Sound — Celtic Arts Stage.

Approximately 3:30 PM: Wishing Tree Send-Off — Fiddler’s Green.

3:30 PM: Grand Finale Concert with McCarthyizm — Fireside Stage.

3:30 PM: Emerald Isle Band — Dragonfly Stage.

3:30 PM: Agility Dream Dogs Show — Camdenshire.

3:30 PM: Sheep Dog Herding with Flying Bucket Farm — Outdoor Riding Arena.

3:30 PM: Interactive Story Theater with The Wondermakers — Wee Folk Shire.

4:00 PM: Blacksmith presentation with Spangler Forge — Fiddler’s Green.

4:00 PM: Broadsword fencing demonstration by CNY Gallowglass Society — Highland Park.

4:00 PM: Be Witched Buffalo — Special Events Field.

5:00 PM: The Parting Glass Farewell — Fireside Stage.

🎟 Admission and Tickets

Children 12 and under: Free admission.

Online Saturday one-day ticket: $25, including listed fees.

Online Sunday one-day ticket: $18, including listed fees.

Online weekend pass: $34, including listed fees.

Online group rate for 10 or more tickets:
Saturday: $20 per ticket.
Sunday: $14 per ticket.
Weekend: $27 per ticket.

Gate admission — cash only:
Saturday: $27.
Sunday: $20.
Weekend: $37.

Senior, military and student discount: $2 off qualifying tickets with valid identification.

Senior eligibility: Age 60+.

Military eligibility: Active-duty personnel and veterans.

Student eligibility: Middle school, high school and college students.

Parking: Free.

Admission includes the festival’s entertainment, scheduled attractions, Highland Games and children’s activities; food and merchandise are purchased separately.

Online tickets are available through the festival’s authorized ticketing page: Buy Niagara Celtic tickets online

🅿️ Parking and Visitor Information

Free parking is included with admission, although on-site spaces are limited and visitors are directed according to availability.

Additional free parking is offered at the Kenan Center, 433 Locust Street in Lockport, with a complimentary shuttle to and from the festival entrance.

Saturday shuttle: 12:00 PM–9:00 PM.
Sunday shuttle: 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.

Accessible parking is available near the ticket entrance. The grounds include accessible restrooms and extensive paved routes, although visitors should expect significant walking between festival areas.

Same-day re-entry is permitted with the festival wristband. ATMs are located in several sections of the grounds.

Dogs are permitted under specific conditions, including completion of the required waiver, current vaccinations and use of a leash shorter than six feet. Non-service dogs cannot enter buildings or children’s areas. Other pet animals are not permitted.

📍 Lockport

Lockport developed around one of the most technically demanding sections of the Erie Canal. Work on the celebrated Flight of Five locks began in 1823 to overcome the Niagara Escarpment, helping transform the settlement into an important transportation and industrial center. Lockport became Niagara County’s first incorporated city in 1865.

The city remains closely associated with the canal and is approximately 18 miles east of Niagara Falls. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated its population at 20,248 residents in 2025.

🚗 Getting to Lockport

By road: Lockport is accessible through Western New York’s state highway network, with NY Route 78 running directly through the area of the fairgrounds. Buffalo is roughly half an hour away by car, while Niagara Falls is around 30 minutes away under normal conditions.

By train: Lockport does not have an intercity Amtrak station. Rail travelers can use the Buffalo-Depew Amtrak station and continue to Lockport by road. Buffalo-Depew also provides Amtrak connections toward Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, New York City and Chicago.

By bus: Regional public transportation connects Lockport with surrounding communities. NFTA services provide connections with Buffalo, while Connect Niagara operates routes linking Lockport with Niagara Falls and other parts of Niagara County. Service schedules should be checked for the intended travel day because some regional routes operate primarily on weekdays.