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. The reservation form will be posted a month before the event.
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 pm on Doucette Lawn. Bring your chair or blanket!
| Event | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Disney’s “Brave” Under the Stars* | Doucette Lawn | 8:00 pm |
*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 pm |
| The Sky above Edinburgh* | Planetarium Cooper Hall | 6:00 pm |
| Regional Qualifier Fiddle Competition | Pogue Theater | 7:00 - 8:30 pm |
| The Sky above Edinburgh* | Planetarium Cooper Hall | 8:00 pm |
*The Planetarium Program is FREE but limited to 70 guests per show. A registration page will be posted one month before the event. Huge thanks to Roger Sargent for donating his time and talent.
| Event | Location | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Solo Pipe & Drum Competitions | Solo Tents - North McComb | 8:30 am - 12:30 pm |
| National Scottish Fiddle Championships - US Junior | Pogue Theater | 9:00 am |
| Bookstore | Pogue MPR Rooms | 9:00 am - 5:00 pm |
| Heavy Athletic Competitions | Lawns | 9:00 am - 2:00 pm |
| Highland Dance Competition | McComb Fieldhouse | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Try-a-Harp for First Timers (open to the public) | Pogue MPR Rooms | 9:00 - 9:30 am |
| Scottish Clan Gatherings | Tent | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Scottish Village Vendors | Tents / Lawns & Lots | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Weaving | Art Tent | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Scottish & American Foods | Lawns & Lots | 9:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Music Performances** | Performance Tent | 9:30 am - 4:00 pm |
| US National Scottish Harp ChampionshipTM | Pogue MPR Rooms | 9:30 am - 11:30 am |
| Disc Golf ACE Tournament | Lowlands / Campus Course | 10:00 am |
| Harp Showcase/Awards | Pogue MPR Rooms | 1:30 - 2:30 pm |
| Plein Air - Live Paint & Art Exhibitions | Art Tent / Lawns | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Kids' Highland Games & Crafts | Gazebo & Lawns | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm |
| Dandie Dinmont Terrier Club of America | Gazebo | 10:00 am - 3:00 pm |
| Clydesdales | Lawns | 10:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Archery | Lawns | 11:00 am - 3:00 pm |
| Beer Garden presented by Lake Erie Ale Trail | McComb Lawns | 11:00 am - 4:00 pm |
| Opening Ceremonies & Massed Bands | McComb Lawns | 12:00 pm |
| US National Scottish Harp ChampionshipTM revconvenese |
Pogue MPR Rooms | 12:30 pm |
| National Scottish Fiddle Championships - US Open | Pogue Theater | 12:30 - 3:30 pm |
| US National Scottish Harp Championship Reconvenes-Awards | Pogue MPR Rooms | 12:30 - 3:00 pm |
| Harp Showcase | Pogue MPR Rooms | 1:30 pm |
| Bagpipe Band Competition | Lawns North of Scott Road | 2:00 - 3:30 pm |
| Awards | Pogue MPR Rooms | 2:30 pm |
| Harp Workshop for beginners and intermediate harpists. | Pogue MPR Rooms | 3:00 pm |
| Tug O War | McComb Lawns | 2:00 - 4:00 pm |
| Closing Ceremony / Massed Bands | McComb Lawns | 4:30 pm |
| Ceilidh! Dinner, Music, and Cash Bar | Van Houten North | 5:00 - 9:00 pm |
| Event | Time |
|---|---|
| University Singers | TBA |
| Chelsea House Orchestra | TBA |
| Concert Band of NWPA | TBA |
| Chelsea House Orchestra | TBA |
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
