Revel in the rich traditions of Scotland on PennWest Edinboro's picturesque campus during the 31st annual Highland Games and Scottish Festival, September 5 - 6 2025.
The spirit of Scotland will come alive in Edinboro, Pa., as PennWest Edinboro hosts its 31st annual Highland Games & Scottish Festival. This vibrant, multi-day celebration of Scottish culture will feature world-class musicians, Celtic vendors, traditional Scottish foods, athletic feats, and family-friendly fun across campus.
The festivities kick off Friday evening with a public fiddle workshop and regional qualifier competition in the Frank G. Pogue Student Center.
Saturday’s main events begin at 8:30 a.m. and run through 4:30 p.m., showcasing the National Scottish Fiddle and Harp Championships, highland dance, clan gatherings, and the ever-popular heavy athletic competitions—including the caber toss and stone throw. Visitors can also enjoy a beer garden, artisan vendors, musical performances, kids games and crafts, archery, and a wide array of Scottish and American fare. Opening ceremonies and massed bands are set for noon. The celebration concludes with the ticketed Ceilidh dinner ($50) with live music from 5–9 p.m.
With free admission to most events and activities for all ages, the Highland Games honor Edinboro’s Scottish roots and offer an unforgettable cultural experience. All events are rain or shine.
All events are FREE except the Ceilidh Dinner at $50 and seating is by reservation only.
Schedule is subject to change. Please monitor websites as details are finalized.
The Sponsor Northwestern Rural Electric Co-operative Association, Inc.® is bringing us the Disney Movie Brave Thursday at 8:00 p.m. on Pogue Lawn. Bring your chair or blanket!
| Event | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Disney’s “Brave” Under the Stars* | Pogue Lawn | 8:00 p.m. |
*Bring your own chairs, blankets, and snacks to kick off the festivities to the Disney version of BRAVE.
| Event | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Fiddle Workshop (open to the public) | Pogue 143 | 6:00 - 7:00 p.m. |
| The Sky above Edinburgh* | Planetarium Cooper Hall | 6:00 p.m. |
| Regional Qualifier Fiddle Competition | Pogue Theater | 7:00 - 8:30 p.m. |
| The Sky above Edinburgh* | Planetarium Cooper Hall | 8:00 p.m. |
*The Planetarium Program is FREE but limited to 60 guests per show. Huge thanks to Roger Sargent for donating his time and talent.
| Event | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Pipe & Drum Competitions | Solo Tents - North McComb | 8:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. |
| National Scottish Fiddle Championships - US Junior | Pogue Theater | 9:00 a.m. |
| Highland Dance Competition | McComb Fieldhouse | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Try-a-Harp for First Timers (open to the public) | Pogue MPR Rooms | 9:00 - 9:30 a.m. |
| Scottish Clan Gatherings | Tent | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Scottish Village Vendors | Tents / Lawns & Lots | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Music Performances** | Performance Tent | 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Weaving | Art Tent | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Scottish & American Foods | Lawns & Lots | 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| US National Scottish Harp ChampionshipTM | Pogue MPR Rooms | 9:30 - 11:30 a.m. |
| Disc Golf ACE Tournament | Lowlands / Campus Course | 10:00 a.m. |
| Heavy Athletic Competitions | Lawns | 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Plein Air - Live Paint & Art Exhibitions | Art Tent / Lawns | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Instrument Petting Zoom, hosted by Erie Jr. Philharmonic | KidZone Tent | 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. |
| Clydesdales | Lawns | 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Archery | Lawns | 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. |
| Beer Garden | McComb Lawns | 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. |
| Opening Ceremonies & Massed Bands | McComb Lawns | 12:00 p.m. |
| US National Scottish Harp ChampionshipTM reconvenes | Pogue MPR Rooms | 12:30 p.m. |
| National Scottish Fiddle Championships - US Open | Pogue Theater | 12:30 - 3:30 p.m. |
| Harp Showcase & Awards | Pogue MPR Rooms | 1:30 - 2:30 p.m. |
| Kids' Highland Games Competition | KidZone Tent | 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. |
| Bagpipe Band Competition | Lawns North of Scott Road | 2:00 - 3:30 p.m. |
| Tug O War | McComb Lawns | 2:00 - 4:00 p.m. |
| Awards | Pogue MPR Rooms | 2:30 p.m. |
| Harp Workshop for beginners and intermediate harpists. | Pogue MPR Rooms | 3:00 p.m. |
| Closing Ceremony / Massed Bands | McComb Lawns | 4:30 p.m. |
| Ceilidh! Dinner, Music, and Cash Bar | Van Houten North | 5:00 - 9:00 p.m. |
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| University Singers | 9:00 - 9:15 a.m. |
| Chelsea House Orchestra | 10:00 - 10:45 a.m. |
| Concert Band of NWPA | 11:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
| Chelsea House Orchestra | 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. |
Lisa Keating
Director, Highland Games
Email: highlandgames@eupfoundation.org
Easily navigate campus for the events.
Gear up for Homecoming!
Check out the following sites as you make travel arrangements.
The first Edinboro Highland Games and Scottish Festival was held in April 1993, after eight months of planning in Dr. Tim Thompson’s communication classes. On a day featuring typical Scottish weather, a crowd of five hundred enjoyed two pipe bands, one vendor, kids’ games, and student athletic competitions.
Crowds of five thousand or more now enjoy the annual games that feature an array of competitions, world-class musicians, fine gift vendors, and the gathering of Scottish clans. Musicians including master fiddlers Alasdair Fraser and Bonnie Rideout, the piper Eric Rigler of Braveheart fame, singer Ed Miller, and groups such as Cherish the Ladies, Seven Nations and the Chelsea House Orchestra have thrilled audiences across twenty years. In 2003, the Downtown Edinboro Art and Music Festival was born as part of the Edinboro Highland Games. While the Scottish Festival has since moved to a September date, the Art & Music Festival continues to thrive as a wonderful tradition each May. The Edinboro Games now hold sanctioned competitions in professional and amateur heavy athletics, pipe band and solo piping and drumming, highland dance, Celtic and Scottish harp, and the U.S. National Scottish Fiddle Championships. Along with delicious Scottish and festival foods and family gatherings, the Edinboro Highland Games have grown into one of the most unique and interesting cultural events in the Erie-Chautauqua region.
Want to be a sponsor for the Highland Games? You can by filling out the listed form and emailing it to: highlandgames@eupfoundation.org
Beer Garden sponsored by
Welcome Tent sponsored by
Performance Tent sponsored by
Kid's Highland Games and Crafts sponsored by
Solo Pipe & Drum Competition sponsored by
Plein Air-Live Paint and Art Exhibitions sponsored by
Archery sponsored by
Tim Mannino, Financial Advisor
