Tucson Celtic Festival 2026

The 40th Annual Tucson Celtic Festival & Scottish Highland Games takes place October 23–25, 2026, at Rillito Park Race Track in Tucson, Arizona. This three-day celebration of Scottish, Irish, and Celtic heritage brings together Highland athletics, traditional music, dance competitions, clan gatherings, cultural activities, and food and merchandise vendors.

The festival opens Friday evening with Viking Night! Concert, followed by two full days of Celtic entertainment and competitions. Visitors can also enjoy whisky and tea tastings, explore their family heritage, and meet representatives of Scottish clans.

Celebrating its 40th anniversary, the festival is part of Arizona’s Celtic cultural calendar. Visitors interested in similar events can explore more Renaissance and medieval festivals in Arizona.

📅 Dates, Location, and Opening Hours

Dates: October 23–25, 2026

Venue: Rillito Park Race Track (Rillito Raceway Park)

Address: 4502 N. First Ave., Tucson, AZ 85718, United States

Festival hours:

• Friday, October 23: 5:00 PM–10:00 PM.
• Saturday, October 24: Gates open at 8:00 AM; festival activities continue until 10:00 PM.
• Sunday, October 25: Gates open at 8:00 AM; festival activities continue until 5:00 PM.

The festival’s main event listings also show a 9:00 AM start for Saturday and Sunday activities. Visitors participating in competitions should follow their individual registration and check-in schedules.

For other events during the same month, explore Renaissance faires and medieval festivals in October 2026.

⚔️ Highland Games and Scottish Athletics

The Scottish Highland Games take place on Saturday, October 24, and Sunday, October 25. The 2026 competition includes the International Highland Games Federation (IHGF) and forms part of the IHGF All American Highland Games Series.

The festival will also host the IHGF National Hammer Throwing Championships.

Highland athletes will compete across men’s and women’s divisions, including open, lightweight, and masters categories. Traditional Scottish heavy events form the centerpiece of the athletic competition.

Athlete check-in and competition schedule:

• 8:00 AM–8:30 AM: Athlete check-in and weigh-in at the Heavy Events field tent.
• 8:45 AM: Athlete meeting.
• 9:00 AM: Competition begins.

The athletic events follow North American Scottish Games Athletics rules. Spectators can watch athletes demonstrate strength, technique, and precision in traditional Highland competitions.

🎶 Live Celtic Music and Viking Night! Concert

Live music is a major part of the festival, with Celtic performers and traditional sounds accompanying the weekend’s cultural celebrations.

The 2026 entertainment program includes performances by Nancy McCallion and Jeffrey Buggy.

Friday evening features the Viking Night! Concert, a separately highlighted opening-night event included in full-weekend admission. The Friday entertainment also includes fire dancers.

Music and entertainment continue throughout the weekend, with the Main Stage providing a central gathering point for festival visitors.

💃 Highland Dance Competition

The 2026 Highland Dance Competition takes place during the festival weekend, with scheduled competition activities on Saturday and a Premier workshop on Sunday.

Saturday, October 24

• 8:00 AM: Festival gates open.
• 9:20 AM: Highland dance registration.
• 9:45 AM: Dancing begins.

The competition features Primary, Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, and Premier divisions.

Primary competition dances:

• 16 Pas de Basque.
• Pas de Basque & HC.
• Highland Fling.
• Sword Dance.

Beginner competition dances:

• Highland Fling.
• Sword Dance.
• Seann Triubhas.
• Scottish Lilt.
• Flora MacDonald’s Fancy.

Novice competition dances:

• Highland Fling.
• Sword Dance.
• Seann Triubhas.
• Scottish Lilt.
• Flora MacDonald’s Fancy.

Intermediate competition dances:

• Highland Fling.
• Sword Dance.
• Seann Triubhas.
• Hornpipe.
• Scottish Jig.

Premier competition, ages 7 to under 12:

• Highland Fling.
• Sword Dance.
• Seann Triubhas.

A choreography competition is also available to dancers holding a valid ScotDance 2026 card. Groups may include competitors from different classifications and dance schools.

The Pre-Premier workshop takes place immediately after the competition, with a scheduled duration of one hour.

Sunday, October 25

A Premier workshop is scheduled at the competition stage on Sunday morning.

The competition is governed by RSOBHD and ScotDance USA rules. Participants must hold valid registration credentials for 2026.

🏴 Clan MacBean: 2026 Honored Clan

Clan MacBean is the honored clan for the festival’s 40th anniversary.

The clan’s hereditary chief, Richard McBain of McBain, has strong connections to Tucson. Born and raised in the city, he succeeded his father in March 2022 and became the 23rd hereditary Chief of Clan MacBean.

Clan gatherings are an important part of the festival, giving visitors an opportunity to explore Scottish family histories and learn about clan traditions.

🍵 Whisky Tastings, Tea Tastings, and Food

The festival offers whisky and tea tastings as optional ticket add-ons. These experiences require paid festival admission.

Whisky Tastings

Price: $27.49 per tasting.

Age requirement: 21 and older.

Saturday, October 24:

• 12:00 PM.
• 1:30 PM.
• 3:00 PM.
• 4:00 PM.

Sunday, October 25:

• 12:00 PM.
• 1:30 PM.

Tea Tastings

Price: $27.49 per tasting.

Saturday, October 24:

• 12:00 PM.
• 2:00 PM.

Sunday, October 25:

• 12:00 PM.
• 2:00 PM.

The tea tastings are sponsored by Scented Leaf.

Food trucks and other food vendors will also be present throughout the festival. The event includes a Celtic Pub and opportunities to sample food and beverages while enjoying the entertainment.

🛍️ Celtic Merchants and Family Activities

Festival merchants offer visitors an opportunity to browse Celtic-themed merchandise, gifts, and other products.

Families can visit the Kids Corner, where younger attendees can take part in activities connected with the festival’s cultural celebrations.

Visitors can also enjoy Scottish clan displays, traditional music, Highland dance, and other opportunities to explore Celtic heritage.

Discover additional Celtic festivals taking place across the United States.

🎟 Tickets and Admission Prices

Tickets for the 2026 Tucson Celtic Festival are available through Stride Events. The published prices include applicable fees, and tickets are non-refundable.

VIP Weekend Package (Ages 21+)

VIP admission: $137.71.

Only 100 VIP tickets are available.

The VIP package includes:

• Admission on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
• One whisky tasting ticket for Saturday or Sunday.
• One tea tasting ticket for Saturday or Sunday.
• VIP parking.
• VIP seating at the Main Stage.
• Access to the VIP beer line at the main Celtic Pub.
• A festival merchandise bag with a T-shirt.
• A commemorative VIP identification card and lanyard.

Adult Weekend Tickets (Ages 18+)

• Full Weekend, online: $58.98.
• Full Weekend, at the gate: $62.13.
• Saturday and Sunday, online: $43.24.
• Saturday and Sunday, at the gate: $46.39.

The Full Weekend ticket includes Friday’s Viking Night! Concert and admission on Saturday and Sunday.

Adult Single-Day Tickets (Ages 18+)

• Friday: $22.24 online / $25.39 at the gate.
• Saturday: $27.49 online / $30.64 at the gate.
• Sunday: $22.24 online / $25.39 at the gate.

Senior, Military, and Student Tickets

Discounted single-day admission is available for seniors ages 60 and older, military personnel, and students.

• Friday: $17.00 online / $20.14 at the gate.
• Saturday: $24.34 online / $27.49 at the gate.
• Sunday: $20.14 online / $23.29 at the gate.

Teen Tickets (Ages 13–17)

• Friday: $11.75 online / $14.90 at the gate.
• Saturday: $17.00 online / $20.14 at the gate.
• Sunday: $17.00 online / $20.14 at the gate.

Children Ages 12 and Younger

Admission: Free throughout the weekend.

All accompanying children must obtain an admission ticket at the gate.

Whisky and tea tasting tickets are sold separately for $27.49 each and require paid festival admission.

Tickets can be purchased through the official festival ticket page. Tickets purchased from third-party sellers are not valid.

🅿️ Parking and Overnight RV Accommodation

VIP parking is included with the VIP admission package.

Overnight RV parking is available on the Rillito Park Race Track field for festival visitors.

Published weekend RV parking rate: $100.

RV spaces do not include hookups. Generators must be turned off by 10:00 PM under Pima County park rules.

All RV occupants must purchase the necessary festival admission tickets separately.

For information about overnight RV parking and reservations, contact the festival at tucsoncelt1@gmail.com.

🏰 Rillito Park Race Track and Getting There

Rillito Park Race Track is located in northern Tucson, near the Rillito River and First Avenue. The venue provides an outdoor setting for the Highland Games, music, dancing, vendors, and other festival activities.

Venue address: 4502 N. First Ave., Tucson, AZ 85718.

Visitors traveling from outside Tucson can reach the area using Interstate 10 and local roads. Drivers should use the venue’s official address for navigation.

The festival also identifies Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Mall as its host hotel, with a published offer of 10% off room rates for festival guests.

📍 Approximate Road Distances

Approximate driving distances to Tucson from six regional cities:

• Casa Grande, Arizona: 70 mi.
• Nogales, Arizona: 70 mi.
• Sierra Vista, Arizona: 75 mi.
• Chandler, Arizona: 105 mi.
• Mesa, Arizona: 115 mi.
• Phoenix, Arizona: 115 mi.

Distances are approximate and may vary depending on the starting point, chosen route, and traffic conditions.