Autumn is one of the best times of year to wear a kilt. The weather is cooler, the wool feels just right, and the Highland games and Celtic festivals keep coming right through to the end of the year. Here are the kilt-friendly events still to come in 2026, so you can pick a few and put your tartan to good use.

Dates and venues can change, so always check the organizer’s official website before you travel.

October 2026

• Stone Mountain Highland Games and Scottish Festival (Stone Mountain, Georgia): October 16–18. One of the largest Scottish gatherings in the southern United States, with clan tents, athletics, and piping.
• Yosemite Celtic Festival and Highland Games (Oakhurst, California): October 17–18. Heavy athletics, piping and drumming competitions, whiskey tasting, and living history at the Oakhurst Community Center.
• Tucson Celtic Festival (Rillito Park Racetrack, Tucson, Arizona): October 23–25.
• Geelong Highland Games and Celtic Festival (Bannockburn, Victoria, Australia): October 24.
• Great Sydney Highland Fair (Windsor, New South Wales, Australia): October 31.

November 2026

• Salado Scottish Gathering and Highland Games (Salado, Texas): November 13–15, held at the Salado Civic Center.
• Gulfport Highland Games and Celtic Music Festival (Gulfport): November 14–15.
• St Andrew’s Day Ball (Crawley, Western Australia): November 28, a dressy evening where full kilt outfits are very welcome.
• St Andrew’s Day: November 30. Scotland’s national day is celebrated worldwide with dinners, ceilidhs, and parades, and it’s a perfect excuse to wear your kilt.

December 2026

• Daylesford Highland Gathering (Daylesford, Victoria, Australia): December 5.
• Alexandria Christmas Walk Parade (Alexandria, Virginia): December 5, a festive parade that clan societies take part in.
• Hogmanay: December 31. The Scottish New Year is a natural finish to the year, with first-footing, music, and plenty of tartan.

Tips for Wearing Your Kilt to an Event

• Dress for the weather. Outdoor games can be cold or damp, so wear warm kilt hose and a good jacket.
• Get the fit right. A kilt that sits properly is more comfortable for a long day on your feet. See our guide on how to measure for a kilt.
• Wear it correctly. New to kilts? Read how to wear a kilt before the big day.
• Look after it afterwards. Mud and spilled drinks happen at festivals. Our post on how to care for a kilt will help keep it in shape.

Final Thoughts

Whether you head to a big Highland games weekend or a small local ceilidh, a kilt is always in style. Pick an event, check the details with the organizers, and enjoy the music, the athletics, and the company. We’ll keep sharing kilt events as the new year approaches.