2026 Long Island Celtic Festival and Highland Games

Old Westbury Gardens is pleased to present the 2026 Long Island Celtic Festival and Highland Games, taking place on Saturday, August 22, from 8am to 5pm on the expansive lawns in front of historic Westbury House.

The festival will honor the Irish, Scottish, and Welsh communities of Long Island and the NY metro area and celebrate their Celtic heritage. The festival will feature entertainment for all ages, as well as vendors specializing in Celtic products and food trucks.

(Please note: The festival schedule and map will be posted closer to the event date.)

Main Stage Acts

Enjoy the sounds and spirit of the Celtic tradition with live performances throughout the day on the Main Stage! Featuring talented music acts and a high-energy dance troupe, the lineup brings together spirited tunes, lively rhythms, and captivating performances that will have you clapping along, tapping your toes, and dancing in the grass.

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Traditional Highland Games

The Highland Games return with impressive feats of strength and the unmistakable spirit of Scotland, presented by the athletes of Empire Throwing Club. From caber tosses to stone puts, these skilled competitors continue a centuries-old tradition of power, precision, and pride. Cheer them on as they put their strength to the test in this thrilling display of Scottish heritage!

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Pipe and Drum Bands

The sound of pipes and drums is at the heart of any Celtic celebration! Throughout the day, pipe bands will showcase the power and pageantry of Scottish tradition with precision marching, massed band performances, and stirring melodies that bring the spirit of Scotland to life.

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Wee Celt Land

There’s plenty of Celtic fun in store for our youngest festivalgoers. In the Land of Wee Celts, children can be amazed by a magical performance, transform into their favorite mythical creature with festive face painting, and come face-to-face with magnificent birds of prey from a local nature center. It’s a day filled with wonder, discovery, and unforgettable memories.

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Celtic Dance Schools

Enjoy lively performances throughout the day by talented students from local dance schools. Their energy, dedication, and enthusiasm bring an extra spark to the festival and showcase the next generation of Celtic performers from our community.

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Highland Happenings

Discover a handful of unique experiences around the grounds that celebrate Celtic traditions and British heritage. From classic British automobiles to festival curling and traditional weaving demonstrations, there’s something new to explore around every corner.

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Food (Truck) Court

Fuel your festival day with delicious eats from some of Long Island’s favorite food trucks! Whether you’re craving savory, sweet, or something in between, our food truck court has plenty of options to satisfy every appetite.

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The Celtic Marketplace

Explore the charm of the Celtic Marketplace, where a curated selection of vendors offers handcrafted goods, traditional wares, jewelry, apparel, packaged food and more. Whether you’re shopping for a keepsake or something to show your Celtic spirit, there’s a little something waiting to be discovered.

(Please note: The following is NOT an exhaustive list of confirmed vendors.)

Previous Festival Highlights

Music, dance, caber tossing and other heavy weight sports, puppet and magic shows, and of course food vendors, specialty merchandise. It was a day for everyone.

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