GATHERINGS & FESTIVALS
HARBOURSIDE MARKERTS
Come along and enjoy the thrill of discovery in an authentic outdoor market bursting at the seams with a great range of fresh local produce, tasty foods, delicious coffee. Browse art, jewellery, clothing, beauty & lifestyle products, plants, vintage and collectable stalls, handcrafted and pet products. Sit back, relax and enjoy your Sunday in style with free live music! We will have a small stall there from November until February.
When: Every Sunday, 8.00am – 2.00pm.
Where: Marina Drive, Jetty Foreshores, Coffs Harbour NSW.
Website: harboursidemarkets.com.au
Facebook: facebook.com/HarboursideMarkets
Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival
Celebrating the traditions and heritage of Scotland in a Highland Gathering, the Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival has been has been held annually since 1967. A gathering in the tradition of the Highland games, it's bringing Celtic culture, music and kinship to the community as well as Pipe Bands, Highland & Country dance, Clan stalls.
When: Sunday 24th March 2024.
Where: Eastfield Park, Croydon, Melbourne, Victoria 3000.
MACLEAN HIGHLAND GATHERING
The popular Maclean Highland Gathering is held annually over the Easter weekend. Enjoy the Highland Dancing, Pipe Band Competitions, Celtic Stalls and Highland Games. The games attract competitors for the social participation and includes caber tossing, log wrestling, shot put, farmers walk, field and track events, with a programme for Men, Ladies, Boys and Girls. The Celtic Thunder shop will be there all weekend.
When: Friday 18th - Saturday 19th April 2025. Easter weekend.
Where: Maclean Showgrounds, 12 Cameron St. Maclean NSW.
BERRY CELTIC FESTIVAL
The annual Berry Celtic Festival commences with the tradition of the Grand Street Parade down the main streets of Berry, arriving at the Showground where the “Host of the Day” opens a day full of entertainment amid the angelic sounds of the massed bands. Entertainment includes Pipe Band displays, Celtic music performances, Medieval re-enactments and jousting, Clan stalls, Celtic traders and food vendors.
When: Saturday 24th May 2025.
Where: Berry Showground, 35 Alexandra St. Berry NSW.
CLYDESDALE SPECTACULAR
The Scenic Rim Clydesdale Spectacular is an exciting weekend for all the family with many things to see and do including Clydesdales & Heavy Horses, Working Dogs, Pipe Band displays and Caber Toss, Blacksmithing, Wheelwright and Rare Trades Demonstrations, Carriage Rides, Friesian Performance Troupe, the Qld Whip Cracking Championships and more. The Celtic Thunder shop will be in the Scots Pavilion shed.
When: Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th of June 2025.
Where: Boonah Showgrounds 8 Melbourne St. Boonah QLD.
Website: clydesdalespectacular.com.au
Facebook: facebook.com/clydiespectacular
ABERDEEN HIGHLAND GAMES
The day officially opens with a parade of Pipe bands, clans and others that lead into the Massed Band Salute and Chieftain's Address. There will be Highland and Country Dancing, Pipe Band displays, Strong Man events with the Tartan Warriors, as well as tug-of-war, egg tosses, three-legged races, and the famed Kilted Dash, with stores selling Scottish items, food and drink. The Celtic Thunder shop will be there on the day.
When: Saturday 5th July 2025.
Where: Jefferson Park, New England Hwy Aberdeen NSW.
Website: www.aberdeenhighlandgames.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/aberdeenhighlandgames
SCOTS IN THE BUSH
A day celebrating the contribution of the Scottish people in opening up much of Australia. There will be lots of entertainment including Pipe Band displays, Highland dancers, Celtic music, Moreton Celtic Fiddle Club, performers parade, call to the Clans and tartan parade.
When: Thursday 13th - Sunday 17th August 2025.
Where: Boondooma Homestead 8262 Mundubbera-Durong Rd Boondooma QLD.
Website: https://boondoomahomestead.org.au/scots-in-the-bush/
CANBERRA BURNS CLUB HIGHLAND GATHERING
A family friendly event with something for everyone including; the ACT Pipe Band Championships, massed bands, highland dancing competition, the Tartan Warriors, Ceilidh, kilted dash, kids zone with a range of activities, Scottish food stalls and vendors. The Celtic Thunder shop will be there on the day.
When: Saturday 12th October 2024.
Where: Kambah District Playing Fields, off Kett street in front of the Canberra Burns Club.
THE ILLAWARRA SCOTTISH FAIR
Enjoy a day of Scottish festivities, food, music and culture including; pipe band competition, massed bands, highland dancing, haggis hurling, kids races, heavy event competition and more.
When: Sunday, 15th October 2023.
Where: The Dandaloo Hotel Sports Ground, 336 Kanahooka Road Dapto NSW.
CONCERT IN THE PARK MAITLAND
The 2023 Concert in the Park is a free event hosted by the City of Maitland Pipes and Drums, along with major partners Maitland City Council, Burton Automotive Group and Beyond Bank. Featuring Celtic and Irish dance and a collection of song and pipe music and drill, it will be a fun filled day for all. With performers from across the Hunter, Newcastle, Central Coast and Sydney. This year will see the addition of Classic Cars and Bikes from across the decades to the event. The Celtic Thunder Shop will be there.
When: Sunday 30th July 2023
Where: Maitland Park, Walker Street, Maitland NSW 2320.
HAYLAND GATHERING
Come join the Scottish community in celebrating the inaugural Hayland Gathering on Saturday the 11th of March, in the rural town of Hay in New South Wales. The street march will be preceding the official opening of the Gathering, with many entertaining events following, including children's entertainment, Pipe Band displays, athletics events and massed bands. The Hayland Gathering is hosting the Riverina Highland Dancing Titles and the Highland Muscle Heavy Event competition. The Hayland Gathering will finish with a Ceilidh and fireworks display.
When: Saturday 9th March 2024.
Where: Hay Oval, Morgan St, Hay, NSW.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/haylandgathering
BUNDANOON IS BRIGADOON
The ultimate family friendly day out with something for everyone to enjoy. It kicks off with a street parade at 9:30am then onto the mass band display, official opening ceremony, Scottish country & highland dancing, the highland games, highland cattle display, musicians, performers and many Celtic traders. The Celtic Thunder shop will be there on the day.
When: Saturday 5th April 2025.
Where: Bundanoon Oval, 70 Erith St. Bundanoon NSW.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Brigadoon1978
THE AUSTRALIAN CELTIC FESTIVAL
The Australian Celtic Festival is held from Thursday through to Sunday, with most events held at the Australian Standing Stones from Friday night. There's something for everyone including Celtic music, poetry and dance, competitions, strongman event, street parade, re-enactment groups, Kirking of the Tartan, massed pipe bands, children’s entertainment, boutique stalls, and more. The Celtic Thunder shop will be there all weekend. 2025 is the Year of Brittany, Cornwall and Wales.
When: Friday 2nd - Sunday 4th May 2025.
Where: The Australian Standing Stones, Centennial Parklands, Watsons Dr. Glen Innes NSW.
Website: www.australiancelticfestival.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/AustralianCelticFestival
BONNIE WINGHAM SCOTTISH FESTIVAL
A fun family day out with Massed Bands Parade on the Park, opening ceremony, pipe band displays, highland dancers, highland games, Highland Rose Jacobite Re-enactment Group, Best Dressed Dog with Scottish Theme, food, Celtic Traders and Clan stalls. There will be an Interview of Chieftain, Ray Robertson at around mid morning. The Celtic Thunder shop will be there on the main day.
When: Cancelled.
Where: Central Park, Wingham, NSW.
TOWNSVILLE TARTAN WEEKEND
Sunday is 'Tartan Day' at Cotters Market on Flinders Street. It's an International event that celebrates the lifting of the English ban that prevented the wearing of tartan from 1746 to 1782. The day opens with the massed pipe bands marching through Flinders Street at 9.00am where there will be a Kirkin' of the Tartans. Then enjoy Scottish entertainment and stalls at Cotters Market before the street parade in Flinders Street at 10.30. The Honoured Clan for 2024 is Clan MacNicol. Saturday is 'Scots in the Park' at Corcoran Park on Queens Road. It includes the Townville Scottish Heavy Games, Pipe Bands, and Clan and Scottish stalls at Cotters Market. Saturday evening is the 'Clansmen's Ceilidh' at Townsville RSL Club.
When: Friday 14 - Sunday 16 June 2024.
Where: 340 Flinders Mall, Townsville City QLD 4810.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/Townsvillescots
HUNTER VALLEY HIGHLAND GAMES
The Saltire Estate hosts the annual games, including the annual National Highlander Championships. The day kickstarts with the grand opening, featuring a parade of Pipe Bands and highland dancers. The day will be filled with Pipe Bands and Quintet displays, Country and Highland Dancing displays, Historical re-enactment of the Jacobite era, family friendly activities, Highland Cows and cultural stalls. You can also expect gourmet food trucks, and an array of Celtic and market stalls. The Celtic Thunder shop will be there on the day.
When: Saturday 23rd August 2025.
Where: Saltire Estate 113 Wilderness Road, Lovedale, NSW, 2325.
Website: www.huntervalleyhighlandgames.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/hvhighlandgames
Instagram: www.instagram.com/hvhighlandgames
CLANS ON THE COAST CELTIC FESTIVAL
A day celebrating Scottish heritage and sharing the cultural contribution of the Scottish and Celtic settlers to Australia. It will be host to the East Coast Heavy Events Championships. There will be lots of entertainment including Pipe Band displays, Highland and Irish dancers, Celtic music, Fields of Ashnoor Medieval Larp Display, Swordcraft Newcastle and the Highland Rose Jacobite Living History Group
When: 8.30am - 4.30pm Saturday 21st September 2024.
Where: Lakeside Sports Complex, 13 Leisure Way, Raymond Terrace, New South Wales 2324, Australia.
Website: www.clansonthecoast.com.au
Facebook: www.facebook.com/ClansOnTheCoast
CELTICFEST WARWICK
Come along to have a great weekend of fun at CelticFest! The annual Celtic Festival features Highland Strong Man Games, Irish Dancing, Highland Dancing, Pipe Band Competition, Massed Pipe Bands, Celtic Choir, Celtic Fiddle Group, Celtic Markets, Clans, Medieval Re-enactment, Lost Trades, Celtic Animals & much more! Head over to CelticFest Warwick for more info. The Celtic Thunder shop will be there all weekend.
When: 2025.
Where: Warwick Showgrounds, 18 Kingsford St, Warwick QLD.
Facebook: www.facebook.com/CelticFestWarwick
Website: www.celticfestqld.com.au
DAYLESFORD HIGHLAND GATHERING
This charming Gathering includes a captivating Street March in the Main Street of Daylesford and a full days Drumming, Piping and Dancing at the picturesque Victoria Park, located at the southern entrance of Daylesford. The end of the day is heralded spectacularly with the Massed Bands. The Celtic Thunder shop will be there on the day.
When: Saturday 7th December 2024.
Where: Main Street/Victoria Park Daylesford VIC.
Website: www.daylesfordhighland.com
Facebook: facebook.com/DaylesfordHighlandGathering
SYDNEY HIGHLAND GATHERING
The Sydney Highland Gathering at Scots College will feature Pipe Band competitions, Highland Dancing, Traditional Highland events with the Kilted Warriors as well as stalls selling Scottish goods, gifts, fine food and artisan products.
Where: Scots College, 53 Victoria Rd, Bellevue Hill, NSW.
Instagram: www.instagram.com/sydneyhighlandgathering
For details email: sydneyhighlandgathering@gmail.com
