Scots on the Rocks, Moab Celtic Festival 2026

Scots on the Rocks – Moab Celtic Festival 2026 will take place from Friday, October 16, through Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Center Street Ballpark in Moab, Utah. Surrounded by the red rock landscapes of southeastern Utah, this three-day Celtic celebration brings together Scottish Highland athletics, pipe and drum competitions, Highland dancing, traditional music, clan heritage displays, artisan vendors, and food and drink.

The 2026 festival will feature the Lightweight Women’s National Championship, alongside a Friday evening Tattoo and a Saturday Ceilidh. The event celebrates the heritage and traditions of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, and other Celtic nations.

🏋️ Scottish Highland Games and Heavy Athletics

Highland athletics are a central part of Scots on the Rocks. Competitors participate in traditional Scottish heavy events that test strength, technique, balance, and coordination.

The Highland Games program includes competitions associated with the caber toss, hammer throw, stone put, and weight events.

Visitors can watch athletes compete on the field and learn more about the sporting traditions associated with Scottish Highland gatherings.

Lightweight Women’s National Championship

The 2026 festival will include the Lightweight Women’s National Championship, bringing together competitors in Scottish heavy athletics.

This championship forms part of the event’s wider Highland Games program.

🥁 Pipe and Drum Competitions

Bagpipes and drums will play an important role throughout the festival weekend.

Scots on the Rocks will host pipe band and solo competitions, offering visitors an opportunity to experience traditional Scottish piping and drumming.

The competitions will feature musical performances and judged events, alongside other Celtic entertainment.

Massed pipe band performances are also part of the festival’s musical traditions.

💃 Highland Dance Competition

Highland dancing is another major attraction at the Moab Celtic Festival.

The 2026 event will include a Highland Dance Competition, with dancers demonstrating the precision, athleticism, and musical interpretation associated with traditional Scottish dance.

Dance performances complement the broader musical program, which celebrates Celtic traditions.

🎶 Friday Tattoo and Saturday Ceilidh

The festival includes two evening celebrations that form part of its three-day programming.

Friday, October 16: Tattoo

The Friday evening Tattoo marks the beginning of the festival weekend, featuring bagpipes, music, dancing, and entertainment.

This opening celebration is included with the three-day festival ticket.

Saturday, October 17: Ceilidh

The Saturday evening Ceilidh brings together music, dancing, and Celtic traditions.

The Ceilidh is also included with the three-day festival ticket.

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Gathering of the Clans

Scots on the Rocks welcomes Scottish clans and heritage organizations to participate in the festival.

Educational clan booths provide opportunities for visitors to learn about family histories, clan traditions, genealogy, and cultural connections.

Representatives will share information about Celtic heritage and answer questions from attendees.

The festival welcomes visitors from all backgrounds, whether or not they have Celtic ancestry.

🛍️ Celtic Vendors and Artisan Marketplace

Traditional vendors will participate in the 2026 festival, offering merchandise connected to Scottish and Celtic culture.

The marketplace complements the competitions and entertainment, giving visitors opportunities to browse goods and interact with vendors throughout the weekend.

🍽️ Food and Drinks

Food and beverage vendors will operate during the Moab Celtic Festival.

Visitors may also bring their own food and non-alcoholic drinks into the event.

The festival’s central location provides access to restaurants and other dining options in downtown Moab.

🎟️ Scots on the Rocks 2026 Tickets and Prices

The festival offers single-day admission and full-event tickets. The three-day ticket includes Friday’s Tattoo, Saturday’s Ceilidh, and the weekend’s competitions and entertainment.

General Admission

• Full-event ticket (3 days): $20.
• Single-day ticket: $10.
• Children ages 10 and under: Free.

Military and Senior Admission

• Military full-event ticket, with valid ID: $10.
• Senior full-event ticket, ages 65 and older: $10.
• Military and senior single-day ticket: $5.

Tickets purchased online will be held at will-call and collected at the festival entrance. They will not be mailed.

Tickets can be purchased online using PayPal or Venmo and will also be available at the entrance gate during the festival.

The official ticketing page additionally lists gate pricing, which differs from some of the individual ticket prices shown in the online shop. Visitors purchasing at the gate should confirm the applicable price before arrival.

Tickets are available through the official Scots on the Rocks ticketing page.

📍 About Moab, Utah

Moab is located in southeastern Utah, near Arches National Park and Canyonlands National Park. The city is known for its distinctive red sandstone landscapes and its role as a destination for outdoor recreation.

Center Street Ballpark is situated near the heart of downtown Moab, providing an accessible setting for the festival’s athletic competitions, music, dancing, and cultural activities.

The surrounding scenery creates a distinctive backdrop for the Celtic celebration.

🚗 Getting to Scots on the Rocks

The festival takes place at 250 E Center St, Moab, UT 84532, near downtown Moab.

Visitors traveling from Interstate 70 can reach Moab using US Highway 191, which connects the city with Green River and the surrounding region.

Travelers approaching from western Colorado can use Interstate 70 and US Highway 191, while visitors coming from southern Utah can reach Moab via US Highway 191.

Approximate Road Distances

• Green River, UT: 52 mi.
• Monticello, UT: 54 mi.
• Grand Junction, CO: 113 mi.
• Price, UT: 115 mi.
• Cortez, CO: 115 mi.
• Durango, CO: 160 mi.

Distances are approximate and may vary depending on the route and starting point.

♿ Accessibility and Visitor Information

The festival is held in a city park with wheelchair access and ADA parking.

Some seating is available near the ballfields, including bleachers. Visitors may wish to bring portable chairs because many areas do not have seating.

Only trained service animals are permitted in the park under Moab city regulations. Companion animals and emotional support animals are not allowed.

October temperatures in Moab can change significantly between daytime and evening. Visitors attending the Tattoo or Ceilidh should consider bringing additional clothing for cooler nighttime conditions.

Explore More Celtic Festivals

Visitors interested in Scottish traditions, Highland Games, and Celtic music can explore other Celtic festivals.

For additional events during the same month, browse the October 2026 Renaissance faire and medieval festival calendar.