Last verified: July 2026. The current event dates, daily hours, ticket requirements, parking system, shuttle hours, pet rules, activities, and venue information were checked against the official NHSCOT and Loon Mountain Resort websites.
The New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival is a three-day celebration of Scottish sport, music, dance, family history, food, pageantry, and living traditions at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire.
The next confirmed festival will be held from Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, 2026. The 2026 gathering is the event’s 51st annual edition. Daytime access runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day, with some separately ticketed evening programs taking place at Loon Mountain and other locations in the Lincoln–Woodstock area.
This guide is part of the Celtic Studio Scottish Highland Games hub. It is designed to help visitors understand the event, choose the right day, plan tickets and transportation, explore Clan Village, and prepare for a full outdoor weekend in the White Mountains.
Important: Celtic Studio is not the organizer of the New Hampshire Highland Games and does not sell official admission, parking passes, shuttle access, competition registrations, or special-event tickets. Always confirm last-minute changes through the official NHSCOT Highland Games page.
New Hampshire Highland Games Quick Facts
| Event | New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival |
|---|---|
| Confirmed dates | September 18–20, 2026 |
| Edition | 51st annual festival |
| Location | Loon Mountain Resort, Lincoln, New Hampshire |
| Venue address | 60 Loon Mountain Road, Lincoln, NH 03251 |
| Daytime hours | 8:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m. daily |
| Admission | Paid ticket required; advance purchase recommended |
| Children | Children age five and under enter free with an adult admission |
| Daytime parking | Free, off-site parking in Lincoln and Woodstock |
| Shuttle service | Free shuttles generally run 8:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. daily |
| Main attractions | Caledonian Clash heavy athletics, piping and drumming, Highland dance, music, Clan Village, sheepdog trials, vendors, living history, seminars, and Try It classes |
| Pets | Pets are not permitted; recognized service animals are allowed |
| Organizer | NHSCOT |
NHSCOT publishes the current festival guide, daily schedule, and grounds map on its official Festival Guide & Map page. Save the final version shortly before travelling because competition times, performers, demonstrations, and venue locations can change.
What Are the New Hampshire Highland Games?
The New Hampshire Highland Games are one of the largest and most varied Scottish cultural gatherings in the United States. The event combines competitive Highland sport with piping, drumming, dancing, fiddle and harp competitions, clan societies, traditional food, living history, seminars, workshops, children’s activities, and live Scottish and Gaelic music.
The gathering began in 1975 as a Clan Murray family picnic outside Loon Mountain’s Octagon Lodge. Over five decades, it developed into a major New England heritage festival. New Hampshire Magazine reported that the event has drawn average cumulative attendance of roughly 35,000 visitors in recent years, showing why advance ticket, lodging, and transportation planning are important.
The Games are presented by NHSCOT, a nonprofit organization whose mission is to preserve and promote Scottish culture for future generations. The event welcomes visitors whether or not they have known Scottish ancestry.
For a broader explanation of how athletics, music, dance, and clan traditions fit together, read What Are the Scottish Highland Games? and the Celtic Studio guide to events in the Scottish Highland Games.
New Hampshire Highland Games Dates and Hours
The confirmed 2026 dates are:
- Friday, September 18, 2026
- Saturday, September 19, 2026
- Sunday, September 20, 2026
Daytime access to the grounds is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. each day. Separate evening concerts and cultural programs may continue after the main daytime grounds close. Evening events can require their own tickets and may take place at Loon Mountain or at other venues around Lincoln and North Woodstock.
Visitors should not assume that every activity happens every day. Sheepdog trials, athletic events, pipe band competitions, Highland dance, music, clan programming, workshops, and ceremonies follow their own schedules.
Which Day Is Best to Attend?
Friday is often a good choice for visitors interested in a somewhat less crowded opening day, early competitions, demonstrations, sheepdog programming, and the first music performances.
Saturday usually offers the fullest single-day experience, with major athletics, piping and drumming, clan activities, music, dance, vendors, demonstrations, and evening programming.
Sunday is a strong choice for final competitions, awards, music, cultural programming, and visitors who want another full daytime experience without attending Saturday.
The final choice should be based on the official schedule rather than on a fixed assumption, especially when one competition or performer is the main reason for attending.
New Hampshire Highland Games Tickets
A valid event ticket is required to enter Loon Mountain Resort during the festival. NHSCOT sells single-day tickets and weekend admission through its official ticket system.
Advance purchase is strongly recommended because:
- individual days can sell out;
- pre-purchased QR-code tickets speed up entry;
- weekend passes may become unavailable if a day sells out;
- the event is held rain or shine and official tickets are non-refundable.
Children age five and under enter free when accompanied by an adult admission. Current prices and age categories should be confirmed through the official New Hampshire Highland Games ticket page.
What Does Daytime Admission Include?
According to NHSCOT, regular daytime admission includes access to:
- daytime music venues;
- athletic and cultural competitions;
- Clan Village;
- seminars and living history;
- the children’s program;
- free Try It classes;
- Scottish and Celtic vendors.
Some evening programs and age-restricted tasting events require separate admission. Visitors should read ticket descriptions carefully before purchase.
Parking and Free Shuttle Buses
The daytime parking system is one of the most important parts of planning a visit.
General daytime parking is off-site. Visitors should follow event signs to designated parking areas in Lincoln and Woodstock, then use free shuttle buses to reach Loon Mountain Resort.
- General parking is free.
- Shuttles generally operate from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m.
- Operating time may be extended when necessary.
- Each parking area has an assigned shuttle route.
- Remember the route number or parking location for the return journey.
- On-site daytime parking is limited to people holding approved pre-printed parking passes.
The host resort lists shuttle stops at several hotels, public areas, schools, and designated lots in the Lincoln–Woodstock area. Use the official Loon Mountain Highland Games page for the latest route information.
Accessible Parking
Accessible parking is also off-site. Visitors should follow the signs for designated accessible parking and use the accessible shuttle service, which transports guests directly onto the festival grounds.
Evening Event Parking
Shuttle buses do not operate for evening events. The organizer states that evening parking is free and available on-site at the relevant event locations. Confirm the exact venue listed on the special-event ticket.
What Happens at the New Hampshire Highland Games?
The size and variety of the program are what distinguish the New Hampshire festival from many smaller Highland Games. A visitor can move from elite athletics to clan genealogy, piping, dance, sheepdog trials, music, workshops, historical interpretation, and family activities in the same day.
The Caledonian Clash Heavy Athletics Competition
The signature heavy athletics format is the Caledonian Clash, a team competition held across Saturday and Sunday.
The event features teams of athletes competing in traditional disciplines such as:
- Braemar Stone;
- Open Stone;
- Heavy Weight for Distance;
- Light Weight for Distance;
- Weight Over Bar;
- Sheaf Toss;
- Caber Toss.
Teams are named for Scottish regions or historic identities, and each is co-captained by a professional male and professional female athlete. The format gives spectators a team to support while preserving the individual technical challenges of Highland athletics.
Pipe Bands, Piping, and Drumming
Pipe bands move through the grounds and perform in formal competition, parades, and pop-up appearances. Solo pipers and drummers also compete under established musical rules.
The sound of several bands playing together against the White Mountains is one of the event’s defining experiences. Visitors who care most about piping should review both the competition schedule and any massed-band or parade times.
Highland Dance, Fiddle, and Harp Competitions
The festival includes competitive Highland dance as well as fiddle and harp programming. These events show that Highland Games culture is not limited to strength sports: music, disciplined dance technique, costume, regional repertoire, and youth participation are equally important parts of the gathering.
Sheepdog Trials
Working sheepdogs and their handlers navigate sheep through a timed obstacle course using whistle and voice commands. The trials demonstrate communication, control, patience, and the working relationship between handler and dog.
The sheepdog program is especially popular with families, but visitors should check the schedule because the trials may not run continuously throughout the weekend.
Try It Classes
Free Try It classes allow visitors to participate instead of only watching. Depending on the final program, these may include:
- stone lifting or introductory athletic activities;
- mas-wrestling;
- street curling;
- bagpipe or drum introductions;
- Highland or ceilidh dancing;
- Gaelic language activities;
- other Scottish cultural skills.
Class capacity and age requirements can vary. Arrive early and check registration instructions on the festival grounds.
Music and Entertainment
The festival presents traditional and contemporary Scottish and Gaelic music throughout the weekend. The current 2026 performer list includes artists such as Albannach, Gleadhraich, The Rollin Drones, Rebel Collective, Cantrip, Cassie and Maggie, and other regional and international musicians.
Lineups and performance times can change, so the final schedule should be treated as the authoritative source.
Clan Village and Scottish Family History
Clan Village is one of the most commercially and culturally relevant sections for Celtic Studio visitors. NHSCOT states that more than 30 clan organizations may participate, giving guests the opportunity to discuss surnames, clan history, genealogy, society membership, migration, and regional connections.
Clan representatives can help explain why a family name may be:
- a principal clan surname;
- a sept or associated family name;
- connected with several traditions;
- spelled differently in historical records;
- unrelated to a clan despite sounding Scottish.
Before travelling, use the Scottish Clan Finder below to search your surname, compare spelling variants, and open the matching Celtic Studio clan crest collection.
Scottish Clan Finder
Find Your Scottish Clan Before the Games
Search your Scottish clan or family name to find matching Celtic Studio clan crest products before visiting Clan Village at Loon Mountain.
Tip: try Mac and Mc spelling variations. Some surnames may connect with more than one Scottish tradition.
Loading Celtic Studio Scottish clan collections...
Clan Village is a valuable starting point, but it is not definitive proof of ancestry. Historical records, locations, family documents, DNA evidence, and professional genealogy research may be necessary for a reliable conclusion.
Family Activities: Bairns & Weans
The Bairns & Weans youth area provides Scottish-themed activities for younger visitors. NHSCOT lists examples such as crafts, mini-golf, curling, haggis-themed cornhole, and a passport program that encourages children to visit different areas of the Games.
Living history, music, sheepdog trials, Clan Village, and selected Try It classes can also be suitable for families. Parents should review event-specific age rules and bring clothing appropriate for a long outdoor day.
Vendor Village, Scottish Food, and Cultural Displays
Vendor Village includes Scottish and Celtic merchants selling tartan clothing, kilts, piping supplies, heritage goods, sweets, and festival merchandise. Food areas typically include Scottish dishes and familiar festival options.
The festival also features seminars, living-history demonstrations, historical reenactments, the Scottish Standing Stone, and cultural exhibits. These areas help explain the history behind the visible symbols of tartan, clans, pipes, dance, and athletic competition.
What Should You Wear to the New Hampshire Highland Games?
The Games take place outdoors on a mountain resort in September. Conditions can shift from a cool morning to a warmer afternoon, followed by wind, rain, or a cold evening.
A practical spectator outfit should include:
- comfortable walking shoes or boots;
- layers that can be added or removed;
- a waterproof or wind-resistant outer layer;
- sun protection;
- clothing suitable for grass, slopes, pavement, and changing weather.
Kilts and Highland dress are welcome but not required. Many visitors wear normal outdoor clothing with one Scottish or clan-related detail such as a tartan scarf, crest pendant, cap badge, ring, brooch, or kilt pin.
Scottish Clan Accessories for the Games
The most natural commercial connection between the New Hampshire Games and Celtic Studio is Clan Village. Visitors often arrive wanting to identify their family name, represent a known clan, or add a heritage detail to an existing Highland outfit.
Useful options include:
- clan crest cap badges for bonnets;
- kilt pins and belt buckles for Highland dress;
- clan crest rings and pendants;
- plaid brooches and smaller tartan accessories;
- Scottish gifts and family keepsakes.
Browse the Highland Games Gifts and Scottish Clan Accessories page or explore the Scottish Gifts collection. Allow time for product preparation and delivery before September, particularly for custom or made-to-order clan crest pieces.
Practical Visitor Tips
Buy Admission Before the Weekend
Advance tickets reduce time at entry and protect against a preferred day selling out.
Do Not Drive Directly to Loon Expecting General Parking
Follow event signs to the designated off-site lots. General daytime access relies on the shuttle system.
Remember Your Shuttle Route
Photograph the route number, parking sign, or lot name before boarding. This makes the return trip much easier at the end of the day.
Save the Current Festival Guide
Download the final schedule and map to your phone before arrival. Cellular service and site traffic can make repeated online access less convenient during a busy festival.
Reserve Lodging Early
Lincoln and North Woodstock are popular White Mountains destinations even without the Games. The festival creates additional demand, and nearby properties can fill far in advance. NHSCOT maintains an official Highland Games lodging page.
Leave Pets at Home
Pets are not permitted during the festival because of shuttle transportation and event attendance. Only recognized service animals are allowed, and pets must not be left inside vehicles.
Prepare for Rain or Strong Sun
The festival operates rain or shine. Use layered clothing, comfortable footwear, sunscreen, and a weatherproof outer layer.
Check Rules Before Bringing Bags or Equipment
Review the current official FAQ for restrictions related to camping, outside beverages, firearms, pets, and other items before leaving home.
Where to Stay Near Loon Mountain
Popular lodging areas include Lincoln, North Woodstock, Franconia, and other communities in the Western White Mountains. Properties closest to the festival may offer convenient shuttle stops, but availability can be limited.
When choosing accommodation, check:
- distance from an official festival shuttle stop;
- minimum-stay requirements;
- parking availability;
- cancellation terms;
- whether evening-event transportation is available.
Do not assume the daytime festival shuttle will return visitors from evening programs. Evening transportation should be planned separately.
New Hampshire Highland Games Frequently Asked Questions
When are the New Hampshire Highland Games?
The confirmed 2026 dates are Friday, September 18 through Sunday, September 20, 2026.
Where are the New Hampshire Highland Games held?
The festival is held at Loon Mountain Resort, 60 Loon Mountain Road, Lincoln, New Hampshire.
What time do the Games open?
Daytime access to the grounds is scheduled from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily. Separately ticketed evening events may continue later at several locations.
Do I need a ticket?
Yes. A valid event ticket is required to enter Loon Mountain Resort during the festival. Advance purchase is recommended.
Where do visitors park?
General daytime parking is free and off-site in Lincoln and Woodstock. Visitors follow event signs and take free shuttle buses to Loon Mountain.
How late do the shuttles run?
Official information states that daytime shuttles generally run from 8:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., with extensions when needed. They do not serve evening events.
Are dogs allowed?
No pets are permitted during the event. Recognized service animals are allowed.
Are there clan tents?
Yes. Clan Village includes numerous clan organizations where visitors can discuss family names, Scottish history, genealogy, and society membership.
What events can I see?
Programs include heavy athletics, piping and drumming, Highland dance, fiddle and harp competitions, sheepdog trials, music, Clan Village, living history, vendors, seminars, family activities, and free Try It classes.
Do visitors have to wear a kilt?
No. Kilts and Highland dress are welcome, but comfortable weather-ready clothing is appropriate for spectators.
Is the festival suitable for children?
Yes. The Bairns & Weans area, passport program, crafts, living history, music, sheepdog trials, and selected Try It activities are designed with families in mind.
Plan Your New Hampshire Highland Games Visit
The New Hampshire Highland Games transform Loon Mountain into a large Scottish gathering framed by the White Mountains. The event’s strength is its variety: elite athletics, pipes and drums, dance, clan history, music, working sheepdogs, cultural education, hands-on activities, vendors, and family programming all share the same weekend.
Before travelling:
- buy the correct day or weekend ticket;
- download the final festival guide and map;
- plan for off-site parking and shuttle transportation;
- reserve accommodation early;
- wear layers and comfortable footwear;
- research your surname before visiting Clan Village.
Continue through the Celtic Studio Highland Games silo:
- Explore the Scottish Highland Games guide
- Browse Highland Games event listings
- Read the history of the Highland Games
- Learn what to wear to Highland Games
- Plan a visit to the Celtic Classic in Bethlehem
- Explore the Grandfather Mountain Highland Games guide
Official and primary sources: NHSCOT Highland Games, 2026 event listing, official tickets, important visitor details, things to do, festival guide and map, official FAQ, and Loon Mountain event information.