Tucson Celtic Festival

The Tucson Celtic Festival & Scottish Highland Games returns to Rillito Raceway Park from October 23 through October 25, 2026. The 40th annual festival brings Highland athletics, piping, Scottish dancing, clan organizations, Celtic music, food, shopping and family activities to the Arizona desert.

What Is the Tucson Celtic Festival?

The Tucson Celtic Festival combines a cultural festival with a competitive Scottish Highland Games program. It is designed for more than athletics spectators. Visitors can move between the throwing field, dance competitions, clan tents, music stages, food vendors and heritage demonstrations throughout the weekend.

Friday evening is built around the festival concert atmosphere. Most of the competitive Highland Games and cultural programming takes place on Saturday and Sunday. That makes the weekend ticket useful for visitors who want to see both the evening entertainment and the daytime competitions.

Dates and Opening Hours

Arriving close to opening time gives you the best opportunity to watch the early athletic rounds and speak with clan representatives before the busiest part of the afternoon. Competition times and entertainment lineups can change, so use the official festival program for your final route through the grounds.

2026 Admission and Ticket Prices

The official ticket page states that listed online prices include fees. Tickets are non-refundable, and the festival warns visitors to purchase only through its authorized Stride Events ticketing page.

The adult full-weekend ticket includes Friday night, Saturday and Sunday admission. The VIP package includes all three days, VIP parking, reserved main-stage seating, a whisky or tea tasting, a festival merchandise package and other benefits listed by the organizer.

Which Day Should You Attend?

Choose Friday for the evening concert

Friday is the shortest festival day and is centered on the Viking Night concert experience. It is a practical choice if you primarily want live entertainment and cannot attend during the weekend.

Choose Saturday for the fullest day

Saturday offers the longest combination of daytime and evening programming. The scheduled athletic classes include the Southwest Masters Championship divisions and the men's lightweight competition. The Highland Dance competition is also scheduled for Saturday morning.

Choose Sunday for open athletics

Sunday features men's and women's Open divisions and the women's lightweight athletic class. It ends earlier than Saturday, making it easier for families and visitors who need to travel home that evening.

Scottish Highland Games

The 2026 Highland Games take place on Saturday and Sunday as part of the International Highland Games Federation All American Highland Games Series. Tucson is also scheduled to host the IHGF National Hammer Throwing Championships.

Visitors can expect nine traditional heavy-event disciplines:

• Open Stone
• Braemar Stone
• Heavy Hammer
• Light Hammer
• Heavy Weight for Distance
• Light Weight for Distance
• Caber Toss
• Weight Over Bar
• Sheaf Toss

Athletic check-in begins at 8:00 AM, with competition scheduled to start at 9:00 AM. Saturday focuses on masters and men's lightweight divisions. Sunday is scheduled for the men's and women's Open groups and women's lightweight division.

Highland Dance Competition

The 2026 Highland Dance competition is scheduled for Saturday, October 24. Gates open at 8:00 AM, dancer registration begins at 9:20 AM and dancing is scheduled to start at 9:45 AM.

The program includes Primary, Beginner, Novice, Intermediate and Premier categories. Depending on category, visitors may see the Highland Fling, Sword Dance, Seann Triubhas, Scottish Lilt, Flora MacDonald's Fancy, Sailor's Hornpipe and Scottish character dances.

Spectators may photograph the competition, but the official dance rules ask parents and visitors to limit identifiable photographs or video to their own dancer unless permission has been given by another dancer's parent or legal guardian.

Live Celtic Music

Music runs throughout the festival, with performers appearing on the main stage and in other entertainment areas. The organizer's 2026 lineup includes Celtic, folk, Scottish, Irish and festival bands, along with individual musicians.

If a particular performer is important to your visit, check the final stage timetable before selecting your ticket. Festival lineups and performance times can change even after the general event dates have been confirmed.

Clan MacBean, the 2026 Honored Clan

Clan MacBean is the honored clan for 2026. The festival is also welcoming Chief Richard McBain of McBain, the 23rd hereditary Chief of Clan MacBean.

Richard McBain was born and raised in Tucson and succeeded his father as hereditary chief in March 2022. The connection gives the 2026 honored-clan program a particularly strong local significance.

Clan tents are a good place to ask about surnames, septs, spelling variations, clan societies and family-history resources. Representatives can often explain whether a surname is associated with more than one clan or regional tradition.

Food, Shopping and Tastings

Festival vendors typically include Celtic food, festival meals, sweets, drinks, clothing, jewelry, Highland accessories and heritage gifts. Availability varies by day and individual vendor.

Whisky tastings are available to visitors age 21 and older with paid festival admission. The published add-on price is $27.49. Saturday sessions are listed at noon, 1:30 PM, 3:00 PM and 4:00 PM. Sunday sessions are listed at noon and 1:30 PM.

Tea tastings are also listed at $27.49 with paid admission. Sessions are currently scheduled for noon and 2:00 PM on both Saturday and Sunday. Tasting capacity may be limited, so reserve ahead if this is an important part of your visit.

Visiting with Children

Children age 12 and younger are admitted free, although the ticket page states that each accompanying child must still receive an admission ticket at the gate. The festival promotes a Kids Corner and family-oriented cultural activities.

For a comfortable family visit, arrive early, choose several priority activities and allow breaks between the athletic field and music areas. Hearing protection can be helpful for younger children near pipe bands, amplified stages and crowded performance areas.

Parking, Lodging and Getting There

Rillito Raceway Park is located at 4502 N. First Ave, Tucson, Arizona 85718. The official festival website has not yet published a complete 2026 general parking map or a standard day-parking price. Check the festival information page before traveling, especially if you require accessible parking or a short walking route.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Tucson Mall is listed as the festival host hotel, with a festival-related discount from published room rates. Hotel availability and discount terms should be confirmed directly when booking.

Overnight RV parking is advertised on the Rillito Park field. The currently published price is $100 for the weekend, with no hookups. Generator use must stop by 10:00 PM. The RV section still contains an older check-in date in part of its text, so confirm the 2026 arrival instructions directly with the organizer before paying or traveling.

Festival Rules and Accessibility

Published site policies prohibit outside alcohol, weapons, drones and pets. Documented service animals are exempt from the animal restriction. Smoking is not permitted inside tents.

Visitors with mobility, sensory or medical requirements should contact the festival before arrival to confirm accessible parking, surface conditions, seating and the shortest entrance route. The event covers a large outdoor venue, so the distance between activities may be an important planning consideration.

What to Bring

• Your digital or printed admission confirmation
• Photo identification for age-restricted tastings and ticket discounts
• Sun protection, including a hat and sunscreen
• A refillable water bottle if permitted under the final entry rules
• Comfortable shoes suitable for an outdoor festival venue
• A light evening layer for cooler desert temperatures after sunset
• Hearing protection for young children near bands and athletic announcements
• A portable phone battery for tickets, maps and photography

A Practical One-Day Plan

1. Arrive shortly after the gates open and confirm the day's schedule.
2. Visit the Highland Games field before the largest afternoon crowds arrive.
3. Walk through the clan area and speak with relevant clan organizations.
4. Watch part of the Highland Dance competition or a cultural demonstration.
5. Stop for lunch before the main midday queues develop.
6. Choose one or two music performances rather than trying to see every stage.
7. Return to the athletics field for caber, hammer or weight events you missed earlier.
8. Leave time for Celtic vendors and heritage displays before closing.

Frequently Asked Questions

Looking for another event? Visit the Scottish Highland Games guide to explore more Highland Games and Celtic festivals.