Celebrate Celtic Culture at the Long Island Celtic Festival & Highland Games on August 22 (UPDATED)
OLD WESTBURY, NY – The sounds of bagpipes and the thunder of traditional Highland athletics will fill the lawns of Old Westbury Gardens on Saturday, August 22, 2026, as the Long Island Celtic Festival & Highland Games returns for another full-day celebration of Irish, Scottish, Welsh, and broader Celtic heritage. The festival will feature live music, traditional dance, Highland athletic competitions, pipe and drum bands, food, shopping, and family entertainment across one of Long Island’s most distinctive historic estates.
Held on the expansive lawns in front of historic Westbury House at 71 Old Westbury Road, the festival runs from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and is organized and produced by Old Westbury Gardens. The rain-or-shine event is expected to attract visitors from across Nassau County, Suffolk County, New York City, and the surrounding region.
At the heart of the festival are the Traditional Highland Games, presented by athletes from the Empire Throwing Club. Visitors can watch competitors demonstrate centuries-old Scottish feats of strength including the caber toss, stone put, and sheaf toss, combining power, precision, and athletic skill in one of the festival’s signature attractions.
Live Celtic Music and Dance
The 2026 Main Stage lineup includes Andy Cooney, Harpers Ferry, Chivalrous Crickets, and Shot of Scotch, bringing a mix of Celtic music, lively rhythms, and traditional dance performances to the festival grounds throughout the day.
Pipe and drum bands will provide another unmistakable part of the Celtic atmosphere. Scheduled participants include the Amityville Pipe & Drum Band, Clan Gordon Highlander Pipe Band, Inis Fada Gaelic Pipe Band, and Northport Pipe & Drum Band. Visitors can expect precision marching, traditional melodies, and massed-band-style performances throughout the event.
Irish dance will also be featured throughout the day. The Donny Golden School of Irish Dance is scheduled to perform at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Kender Academy of Irish Dance at 11:30 a.m. and the Ciara Greene School of Irish Step Dancing at 2:00 p.m.
Highland Games and Celtic Traditions
Beyond the athletic field and Main Stage, visitors will find additional activities celebrating Celtic and British heritage throughout the grounds. The Long Island Curling Club will introduce guests to the sport of curling, while classic British automobiles and demonstrations by the Spinning Study Group of Long Island will add even more traditional flavor to the festival.
The Celtic Marketplace will feature a curated collection of vendors offering handcrafted goods, jewelry, apparel, traditional wares, packaged foods, and other Celtic-themed merchandise. The marketplace gives visitors an opportunity to browse for keepsakes while learning more about the culture represented throughout the festival.
Family Activities in Wee Celt Land
Families with children will find a dedicated area known as Wee Celt Land. The 2026 children’s program includes a performance by magician Zach Alexander, children’s face painting, and an opportunity to see birds of prey presented by Sweetbriar Nature Center.
The combination of open lawns, live entertainment, interactive activities, and dedicated children’s programming makes the Celtic Festival suitable for visitors of all ages.
Food and Refreshments
A large food truck court will operate throughout the festival with both Celtic-inspired offerings and familiar festival favorites. Confirmed vendors listed for 2026 include Cameron’s Scottish Market, Tastefully British, Sausage Kings, Bayside Corn, Bayside Lemonade, Mister Softee, Island Empanada, Yankee Doodle Dandy’s, Wild Bill’s Craft Beverage Co., and The Little Sicilian.
Key Facts & Details
| Event | Long Island Celtic Festival & Highland Games |
| Date | Saturday, August 22, 2026 |
| Time | 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. |
| Location | Old Westbury Gardens |
| Address | 71 Old Westbury Road, Old Westbury, NY 11568 |
| Highland Games | Caber toss, stone put, sheaf toss |
| Main Stage | Andy Cooney, Harpers Ferry, Chivalrous Crickets, Shot of Scotch |
| Family Activities | Magician Zach Alexander, face painting, birds of prey, Wee Celt Land |
| Weather Policy | Rain or shine |
| Organizer | Old Westbury Gardens |
| Tickets | Official festival information and tickets |
Discounted advance tickets are available online through 11:59 p.m. on August 19, with prices increasing beginning August 20. Visitors should check Old Westbury Gardens’ official festival page for the latest ticket availability, schedule updates, visitor policies, and the final festival map before attending.
The Long Island Celtic Festival & Highland Games brings together athletics, music, dance, food, heritage, and family entertainment in a setting unlike most other festivals on Long Island. Whether visitors come to watch the caber toss, hear the sound of the pipe bands, enjoy traditional Irish dance, browse the Celtic Marketplace, or spend the day exploring Old Westbury Gardens, the August 22 celebration offers a full day devoted to Celtic culture and community.
Long Island Celtic Festival & Highland Games — Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When and where is the 2026 Long Island Celtic Festival & Highland Games?
A: The 2026 festival takes place Saturday, August 22, from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at Old Westbury Gardens, located at 71 Old Westbury Road in Old Westbury, New York.
Q: Who organizes the festival?
A: The Long Island Celtic Festival & Highland Games is organized and produced by Old Westbury Gardens.
Q: What are the Highland Games?
A: The Highland Games are traditional Scottish athletic competitions. At the Long Island Celtic Festival, athletes from the Empire Throwing Club will compete in events including the caber toss, stone put, and sheaf toss.
Q: Who is performing at the 2026 festival?
A: Main Stage performers scheduled for 2026 include Andy Cooney, Harpers Ferry, Chivalrous Crickets, and Shot of Scotch.
Q: Will there be bagpipe bands?
A: Yes. Scheduled pipe and drum bands include the Amityville Pipe & Drum Band, Clan Gordon Highlander Pipe Band, Inis Fada Gaelic Pipe Band, and Northport Pipe & Drum Band.
Q: Will there be Irish dancing?
A: Yes. Scheduled performances include the Donny Golden School of Irish Dance at 10:30 a.m., Kender Academy of Irish Dance at 11:30 a.m., and Ciara Greene School of Irish Step Dancing at 2:00 p.m.
Q: Is the Celtic Festival family-friendly?
A: Yes. Wee Celt Land provides programming specifically for younger visitors, including magician Zach Alexander, face painting, and birds of prey presented by Sweetbriar Nature Center.
Q: Will food be available?
A: Yes. The festival will have a food truck court with vendors including Cameron’s Scottish Market, Tastefully British, Sausage Kings, Bayside Corn, Island Empanada, Yankee Doodle Dandy’s, Mister Softee, and others.
Q: Will there be vendors?
A: Yes. The Celtic Marketplace will include vendors offering handcrafted goods, traditional wares, jewelry, apparel, packaged foods, and other Celtic-themed products.
Q: What happens if it rains?
A: The festival is scheduled as a rain-or-shine event. Visitors should monitor the official festival page for any last-minute announcements or weather-related guidance.
Q: Where can I buy tickets?
A: Tickets and current admission information are available through Old Westbury Gardens’ official Long Island Celtic Festival page. Discounted online ticket pricing is available through August 19, with prices increasing August 20.\
Are you ready for fall on Long Island? Check out these local seasonal guides:
🍎 Apple Picking 🍓 Strawberry Picking 🎃 Pumpkin Picking 👻 Haunted Houses 🍂 Farm Festivals
