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The 37th Annual

Scottish Festival

& Highland Games

Slide Background

The 37th Annual

Scottish Festival

& Highland Games

Slide Background

The 37th Annual

Scottish Festival

& Highland Games

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The Scottish Festival & Highland Games has activities and attractions for everyone – from the Caber Toss to Highland Dancing to the Dogs of Scotland. This family-friendly outdoor event is a chance to explore Scottish culture without buying a plane ticket. Plus, all proceeds benefit the Chicago Scots and Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care.

Chicago Scots (The Illinois Saint Andrew Society) is the oldest not-for-profit in Illinois, founded in 1845. We proudly nourish Scottish identity through service, fellowship and celebration of Scottish culture in order to support our principal charity, Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care.

FAQs & Policies

Parking

Follow the general patron parking signs to enter the parking garage. $5 per car per day or $8 for both Friday and Saturday: CASH Only

Handicap parking available. Please ask a festival volunteer if you require a golf cart to take you from the parking garage to the main gate.

Festival Hours

Friday, June 16, 2023: 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday, June 17, 2023: 9:00 am to 10:00 pm

Liquor

Beer must be purchased and consumed on-site. Liquor control laws prohibit alcoholic beverages from being brought in from outside. Participants of the Scottish Festival & Highland Games may bring in coolers with non-alcoholic beverages. Coolers will be inspected by security at all gates and outside liquor will be disposed of. Those 21 and over must show ID and obtain a wristband in order to purchase liquor.

Outside Canopy and/or Tents

Festival attendees are permitted to bring in outside canopies or tents. 

Food

No outside food is allowed on festival grounds

First Aid

Paramedics are on-site

Lost & Found

Report and/or retrieve lost children and items at the CHICAGO SCOTS/Information Tent

Pets

The festival is dog friendly! Must be leashed. Please curb your animals and kindly clean up after them

Weather

The Festival will proceed rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable. Festival would only be cancelled due to life-threatening weather such as a tornado. In case of lighting, please return to your car or sheltered areas. DO NOT shelter under tents unless they are clearly signposted as grounded.

WHEN
June 16-17, 2023
Friday: 1:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-10:00pm

WHERE
Hamilton Lakes
2 Pierce Road
Itasca, Illinois 60143

TICKETS
Attendees can purchase tickets by clicking the button below.

Buy Tickets Now

Sponsorship Opportunities

Volunteer Sign Up

Activities & Information

Use the links below to learn about activities and register to participate at the Scottish Festival & Highland Games.

Live Music

Entertainment Tent

Kick up your kilt as you jam to the various Celtic rock and local bands featured on the main stage.

Learn More

Piping & Drumming

Piping & Drumming

Listen to the talented pipers and drummer at their very best as they compete for top solo and pipe band honors.

New this year, Grade-1 pipe band competition!

Learn More

Food Vendors

Food Vendors

Savor a variety of Scottish fare or sample an assortment of American food.

Learn More & Register

Marketplace Vendors

Marketplace Vendors

Shop for clothing, crafts, collectibles and more from local merchants. 

Learn More & Register

Men in Kilts

Men in Kilts Contest

Root for your favorite kilted Laddie or strut your stuff yourself as our judges determine who has the knobbliest knees (Laddies ONLY).

Learn More

Whisky Tasting

Whisky & Spirit Tastings

Please your palette with the supreme whiskies and spirits of the Scotland and the world.

Scottish Genealogy

Genealogy

Research your Scottish heritage with help from the Chicago Scots’ Genealogy Group.

Heavy Athletics

Heavy Athletics

Witness incredible feats of strength & accuracy while watching classic, including the Caber Toss, Clachneart, Hammer Throw, Sheaf Toss & Weight Throws.

Learn More

British Car Show Chicago Scots

British Car Show

Admire the best of British engineering and vote for your favorite at the British Car Show on Saturday from 9:30am-6:00pm.

Learn More

Patron Tent

Patron Tent

This year’s Wintrust Patron’s Tent is the ultimate way to enjoy the Scottish Festival and Highland Games!

Tickets are $200 per person for two days of Patron’s benefits.

Learn More

Haggis Hurling Contest

Haggis Hurling Contest

Test your throwing skills and poise by hurling a frozen 1 pound haggis as far as you can, all while balancing on a half Whisky Barrel! Farthest throw is the champion. (Lassies Only)

Learn More

Haggis Eating Contest

Haggis Eating Contest

Come see which contestant can "down a pound" of this Scottish culinary delicacy the fastest or give it a try yourself! Contestants will east as much haggis as possible without using their hands.

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Shortbread Contest

Signature Shortbread Contest

Bake up a batch of the "secret family recipe" or create your own original concoction in this competition of both traditional & flavored shortbread.

Learn More

Scottish American History Forum

The Scottish American History Forum brings experts and history enthusiasts together to share and discuss topics of Scottish and American History once a month.

Upcoming Events

Watch Past Forums

Chef Gary MacLean

Chef Gary Maclean

Gary Maclean, National Chef of Scotland, will be performing three live complimentary cooking demonstrations in the culinary tent at the 2023 Scottish Festival & Highland Games.

Learn More

Highland Dancing

Highland Dance

Visit the Highland Dance competition stage where dancers of all ages demonstrate this intricate and technically challenging sport.

Learn More & Register

Clans

Clans & Organizations

Visit our community of Clans & Organizations who represent the great family names & traditions of Scotland and delight in the pageantry of the "Parade of Tartans" The word clan in Gaelic means "children of the family". In highland Scotland, a clan is an extended family or group of families.

Learn More

Scottish Suitcase

Raffle

Win a trip to Scotland! Raffle tickets available soon.

Dogs of Scotland

Dogs of Scotland

Meet these hardy breeds of Celtic canines and learn how they have aided Scots throughout the centuries.

Learn More & Register

Children's Area

Children's Area

Have fun with your kids as they make Celtic crafts and face painting, or play mini-versions of Scottish heavy athletics and miniature golf.

Heather Queen

Heather Queen

The Heather Queen is a female between the ages of 15-20 years old who is Scottish by birth, has Scottish heritage and/or is actively involved in the Scottish community. During her reign, the Heather Queen serves as a goodwill ambassador for Chicago Scots by encouraging her peers to explore their Scottish or other cultural identities while promoting Scottish culture in Chicagoland.

Learn More & Apply

Sponsors

Thank you to the following businesses and organizations for sponsoring the 2023 Scottish Festival & Highland Games.

Roscoe
Old Pulteney Whisky
Belhaven Brewery
Talisk at Wolf Lake Pavilion
UL
Wintrust Bank
WDCB
Bentley's Pet Stuff