From highland games to storytelling festivals, there is something for everyone this month, whether you want to embrace your own Celtic roots or learn more about Celtic culture. If you know of any upcoming events, either in October or otherwise, please reach out!
Australia
CelticFest Warwick
October 4-5, 2025
Warwick Showgrounds
https://www.celticfestqld.com.au/
Warwick is known as the Celtic capital of Queensland,
Australia, making it a great location for a Celtic festival. The event is
located in Queensland’s Country Downs and is run entirely by volunteers. It
boasts a variety of festivities and vendors.
Armdale Highland Gathering and Perth Kilt Run
October 5, 2025
Minnawarra Park: Orchard Ave & Armadale Road, Armadale
WA 6112
The Highland Gathering is a free event and does not require
a ticket to enter. Those who wish to participate in the Perth Kilt Run need to
register through the website. The festival includes pipe bands, highland games,
children’s activities, and more.
Canada
ReJigged Festival
October 23–25, 2025
Dartmouth, Nova Scotia
https://www.rejiggedfestival.com/
ReJigged seeks to bring everyday people face-to-face with
musicians and dancers who came out of the Celtic diaspora. This year, the event
is returning to Dartmouth. The event hosts various musicians and workshops for
visitors to participate in.
Seaside Highland Games
October 11-12, 2025
Ventura Fairgrounds; 10 W. Harbor Blvd, Ventura, CA, 93001
https://www.seasidehighlandgames.org/
2025 marks Seaside Highland Games’ 21st year. The
festival has highland games, a parade, music, food, and more. There is even a
children’s area, so there is something for all ages to enjoy at the festival.
Ireland
Celtic World Forum
October 21-24, 2025
Fitzpatrick Castle; Killiney, Co.Dublin, Ireland
https://www.celticworldforum.com/
Ireland’s Celtic World Forum brings together lovers of
Celtic music and culture. It was started by Éabha McMahon and her management
team and has since created memories through various concerts and other
experiences.
Scotland
The Enchanted Forest
October 2-November 2, 2025
Pitlochry, Scotland
https://www.enchantedforest.org.uk/
Visitors of the Luminara at the Enchanted Forest go through
an outdoor experience. This year’s event will help connect visitors, creating a
historic moment using technology. The Forest is an immersive experience,
bringing people together and using technology to reconnect people to nature.
The Royal National Mod
October 10-18, 2025
Fort William, Scotland
https://www.ancomunn.co.uk/nationalmod
The Royal National Mod was founded in Oban in 1891. It is
Scotland’s premier Scottish Gaelic language event and brings people together.
Besides language events, the Mod hosts other cultural experiences from music
and dancing to sports.
Scottish International Storytelling Festival
October 22-November 1, 2025
Edinburgh
Storytelling is a crucial part of Celtic culture. This event
brings together storytellers and unites them with visitors. Aside from
storytelling, there is a variety of music and workshops, among other
experiences. While most of the festival is in Edinburgh, there are events
throughout Scotland.
Orkney Storytelling Festival
October 23rd-26th, 2025
Orkney, Scotland
https://orkneystorytellingfestival.co.uk/
This year’s Festival features Viking storytellers Jerker
Fahlström and Hjörleifur Stefánsson, and talented local voices. It is hosting a
variety of workshops and other experiences across the islands. There are even
things for children to get involved with.
Samhuinn Fire Festival
October 31, 2025
Edinburgh, Scotland
https://beltane.org/about-samhuinn/
This event celebrates the end of summer and the coming of
winter. It hails back to an ancient Celtic festival with a modern twist. The
festival is returning to Calton Hill this year. There will be a giant bonfire
that will be lit at the start of the rituals.
United States
Hamilton Irish Festival
October 3-4, 2025 (Rain Date: October 5, 2025)
2419 Kuser Road, Hamilton Square, NJ 08690
https://www.trentonaoh.com/music/
Hamilton’s Irish Festival hosts an Irish Pub Night on Friday
night and an Irish music festival featuring vendors, bands, kids’ activities,
and more on Saturday. The rain date is scheduled for Sunday. Guests are
encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets to enjoy the music.
Celtic Heritage Day
October 4, 2025
104 Basin St, Bristol, PA 19007
https://www.facebook.com/events/1166899964880101/
This year’s event is the 27th Celtic Heritage Day
in Bristol. It features music, exhibits, dance, food, crafts, and more. Celtic
Heritage Day is the Celtic Heritage Foundation’s principal fundraiser, allowing
the foundation to provide grants to schools and graduating seniors.
Aztec Highland Games and Celtic Festival
October 4th and 5th, 2025
Riverside Park: Aztec, NM
https://www.aztechighlandgames.com/
This festival features the Highland Games as well as music,
dancers, and vendors. Guests are advised to bring their own chairs and
blankets. There is some shade, but guests who are viewing the Highland Games
are encouraged to bring an umbrella.
McMinnville Scottish Festival
October 4-5, 2025
Yamhill County Fairgrounds, McMinnville, TN
https://celticheritage.org/mac-scottish-festival/
McMinnville is known for its small-town charm. Their
Scottish festival combines Highland Games, Music, and vendors for an experience
guests will love. While there are benches and picnic tables, guests are
encouraged to bring their own chairs and blankets.
Oklahoma Highland Gathering
October 10-12, 2025
Choctaw Creek Park, Oklahoma
https://unitedscotsok.com/festival
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the
Oklahoma Highland Gathering. Aside from the highland games, the festival
features dancers, music, vendors, and more. The festival is a celebration of
Scottish and Celtic culture.
South Jersey Celtic Festival
October 11-12, 2025
Burlington County Fairgrounds
This rain or shine event features music, dancers, food, and
more. It takes place at the Burlington County Fairgrounds. This event is dog-friendly.
Those who wish to participate as an organization, vendor, or athlete can find
information on the festival’s website.
Scotland (CT) Highland Games
October 12, 2025
Brooklyn Fairgrounds - 15 Fairgrounds Rd., Brooklyn, CT
06234
This Highland Games and festival will take place at the
Brooklyn Fairgrounds. Tickets are available online and at the gate (some have
reported issues ordering advance tickets). The event will include highland
games, music, vendors, and more.
Stone Mountain Scottish Festival and Highland Games
October 17-19, 2025
Stone Mountain Park: 1000 Robert E. Lee Blvd; Stone
Mountain, GA. 30083
This year marks the 53rd Stone Mountain Festival
and Highland Games. The event will feature a highland games, music, dancing,
and vendors. Guests are encouraged to park in the outer lots and take a shuttle
to the festival.
Scots on the Rocks Moab Celtic Festival
October 17-19, 2025
250 E Center St Moab, UT 84532
https://www.scotsontherocksmoab.org/
This event features Highland Games, music, dancing, vendors,
and more. Tickets can be purchased online or at the front gate. There are
discounts available for military, students, and seniors to take advantage of.
Tuscon Celtic Festival
October 24-26, 2025
Rillito Park Race Track, Tuscon, Arizona
https://tucsoncelticfestival.org/
This year marks the 39th Tuscon Celtic Festival.
The festival celebrates various aspects of Celtic culture, from the Highland
Games to music and more. There is even a children’s section, so there is
something for everyone in your family to enjoy.
Charleston Tartan Ball
October 31, 2025
Daniel Island Club: 600 Island Park Drive, Charleston, SC
https://www.burnscharleston.org/2025-tartan-ball
This ball will feature a meal from options listed on the
website. Music will be provided by Swingsation Orchestra and dancing is
encouraged. The dress code for the event is Black-Tie, Mess Dress, or Highland
Evening Dress.
Related Articles:
-Celtic Events: September 2025: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2025/08/celtic-events-september-2025.html
-Celtic Events January 2025: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2024/12/celtic-events-january-2025.html
-Celtic Events: December 2024: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2024/12/celtic-events-december-2024.html