From Highland Gatherings to jazz festivals and everything in between, there is something for everyone to do 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 April or otherwise, please reach out!
Australia
Maclean Highland Gathering 2026
April 3-4. 2026
Maclean Showground, Australia
https://www.macleanhighlandgathering.com.au/
The Maclean Highland Gathering features solo piping, pipe
bands, Highland dancing, Highland games, and more for people to engage with and
celebrate Scottish heritage and culture. This year’s event takes place over
Easter weekend.
Brigadoon: Bundadoon Highland Gathering
April 18, 2026
62 Erith St, Bundanoon NSW 2578, Australia
Bundadoon Highland Gathering features music, Highland games,
dancing, and more. Tickets can be purchased online or at the gate. This event
is known as Australia’s “premier” Highland gathering and seeks to celebrate
Scottish culture.
Australian Celtic Festival
April 30-May 3, 2026
Australian Standing Stones National Celtic
Monument, Glen Innes, NSW
https://australiancelticfestival.com/
The Australian Celtic Festival seeks to celebrate Celtic
culture. This year, the festival is highlighting Scotland and its culture. The
event features music, ceremony, community, and fun for the whole family to
enjoy.
Brittany
Festival Mythos
April 3-13, 2026
Rue saint Melaine, 35000 Rennes
https://www.festival-mythos.com/
Festival Mythos is a cultural festival that features music
and theater. It hosts a variety of events and workshops for attendees to
participate in. From participatory activities to comedy shows and much more,
there is something for everyone.
Festival Panoramas
April 10-12, 2026
Morlaix,Brittany
https://www.festivalpanoramas.com/
Festival Panoramas is a music festival featuring artists and
DJs. The event is meant to be immersive, allowing participants to move freely
between the stages and artists to engage with audiences. Participants are even
able to bring a USB drive to DJ for their friends.
Jazz Ô Château
April 25-May 3, 2026
Château de Pommorio, Tréveneuc, France
The Jazz Ô Château festival was founded in 2015 to bring
together jazz musicians and fans. It boasts a friendly atmosphere with a
variety of activities for participants. The festival showcases jazz musicians of
all ages, including school-age musicians.
Cornwall
AberFest
April 4, 2026
Various Venues, Falmouth
AberFest celebrates Cornish and Breton music every other year
over Easter weekend. While there are events the whole weekend, only the
activities on April 4th are open to the public. The event features
music and dance showcases across Falmouth.
St Endellion Easter Music Festival
April 4-12, 2026
St Endellion Church, Port Isaac
https://endellionfestivals.littleboxoffice.com/easter
This year marks the event’s 53rd year. It brings
together classical musicians and fans to celebrate music. Performers will be
playing rarely-heard pieces of music. The event features instrumentalists and
solo vocalists alike.
Porthleven Food Festival
April 24-26, 2026
Harbour Head, Porthleven, Helston, Cornwall. TR13 9JY.
https://www.porthlevenfoodfestival.com/
The Porthleven Food Festival features masterclasses, family
and community events, and even music. There are also a variety of food
experiences for attendees to participate in. While the event strives to be
cashless, it is advised that attendees bring cash.
Trevithick Day Celebration
April 25, 2026
Tyacks Hotel, Camborne
https://cornwall365.com/events/trevithick-day-2026/
Trevithick Day celebrates Richard Trevithick, who invented
the first steam-powered locomotive. Trevithick was from Camborne, Cornwall, and
they take the day to come together to celebrate his legacy. The event features
music, food, and community.
Ireland
Waterford Festival of Food
April 24-26, 2026
Dungarvan, Co. Waterford
https://www.waterfordfestivaloffood.com/
Waterford Festival of Food is one of Ireland’s longest
running and largest community-run food festivals. It is held in Dungarvan. The
event features guided taste tours, guest chef dining events, sustainability
workshops, and much more.
Cork International Choral Festival
April 29 -May 3, 2026
Cork City, Co. Cork
This choral festival Gala Concert, competitions, and
internationally-renowned performances. The event has brought Cork alive with
choral music since 1954. The various programs take place at venues across Cork
City.
Isle of Mann
Shennaghys Jiu Festival
April 2, 2026 - April 5, 2026
Ramsey, Isle of Mann
The Shennaghys Jiu Festival showcases traditional music and
dance. This year is the 25th year of the festival. The first
festival was held in 1998 and it has been going strong since. Aside from its
typical programming, the festival also visits schools to engage with students.
Easter Festival of Running
April 3-5, 2026
Manx Harriers, National Sports Centre, Perimeter Roadway,
Douglas, Isle of Man
The Isle of Man’s Easter Festival of Running features three races
over three days. The event is organized by Manx Harriers and proudly sponsored
by IQ-EQ. It is a yearly tradition of many, including universities and UK clubs,
which has formed rivalries.
CAMRA Isle of Man Beer and Cider Festival
April 9-11, 2026
Villa Marina, Douglas
The Beer and Cider festival features an extensive lineup of
beers and ciders for attendees to sample. Beverages can be purchased using
tokens that are purchased at the main entrance. There will also be food
available for purchase.
New Zealand
Easter Hawkes Bay Highland Gathering
April 3-5, 2026
Lindisfarne College, Pakowhai Rd, Hastings
https://www.facebook.com/HBEasterHighlandGames/
Those who wish to pay for their admission with credit or
debit cards should purchase their tickets online. Tickets at the gate can be
paid for with cash only. This event features piping and dancing competitions.
Scotland
Edinburgh Science Festival
April 4-19, 2026
Venues across Edinburgh
https://www.edinburghscience.co.uk/festival/
The Edinburgh Science Festival began in 1989 and was the
world’s first public celebration of science and technology. The festival
celebrates science, technology, engineering and mathematics through a variety of events and activities for
people to participate in.
Shetland Folk Festival
April 20-May 3, 2026
Shetland, Scotland
https://www.shetlandfolkfestival.com/
The Shetland Folk Festival is the UK’s most northerly folk
festival. The festival seeks to have events and activities in all areas of
Shetland. It features local musicians as well as musicians from around the
world.
Nuart Aberdeen
April 22 – 26, 2026
Aberdeen
https://www.aberdeeninspired.com/festival/nuart-aberdeen/2026
Nuart Aberdeen is a festival that transforms the open-air
gallery with world-class street art. This year’s theme is Poetry Is In The
Streets, which promises to interweave poetry and artwork together throughout
the city streets.
Paisley Food and Drink Festival
April 24-25, 2026
Abbey Close and Bridge Street, Paisley
https://paisley.is/featured_event/paisley-food-and-drink-festival/
Paisley Food and Drink Festival features Scotland’s top
street food. It boasts a variety of local traders as well as live music. This year’s
event will also have a brand new artisan market in Abbey Close that will have a
variety of goods.
Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
April 29-May 4, 2026
Across Speyside
https://www.spiritofspeyside.com/festival/whisky
The Spirit of Whisky Festival unites whisky lovers from
around the world to come together and meet whisky makers and taste rare “drams.”
Beyond those who love whisky, foodies, music lovers, and adventurers will find
something they love at the festival.
United States
Dill's Celtic Festival
April 17-18
227 North Baltimore Street, Dillsburg, PA
This year marks the ninth annual Dills Celtic Festival at
the Historic Dills Tavern. Tickets for the event can be purchased online or at
the gate. The event features music and a variety of vendors. Attendees are
advised that the event takes place on grassy surfaces.
Related Articles:
-Celtic Events: February 2026: https://kiltedowl.blogspot.com/2026/02/celtic-events-february-2026.html