The Chicago Scots are excited to return for the 39th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games to our new home at the DuPage County Fairgrounds! Mark your calendars for June 13 and 14, 2025, as we prepare for a memorable celebration of Scottish culture, tradition, skill and athleticism.
Stay tuned for more details as we approach the event date, and please be patient as we work diligently to curate an unforgettable experience at the Game’s new home. Whether you’re a seasoned participant, a first-time attendee, or someone eager to experience the rich tapestry of Scottish culture, we look forward to sharing more about the festivities that await at our new and enchanting venue. Check back regularly for updates on the schedule, performers, and activities, as we strive to make the 39th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games at the DuPage County Fairgrounds the best yet!
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
Parking
General parking is free this year at the DuPage County Fairgrounds! Premier parking is only available for those with a VIP ticket and is including in the VIP package pricing.
Festival Hours
General admission hours are as follows:
Friday, June 13, 2025: 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday, June 14, 2025: 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. Registered 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. Your compliance in these important liquor policies helps us be able to continue to host this event.
Food
No outside food is allowed on festival grounds.
Lost & Found
Report and/or retrieve lost children and items at the CHICAGO SCOTS Tent and our team of staff and volunteers will assist you in the necessary next steps. After the event is over, please feel free to notify us of any missing items. Please be aware that we are not in the office on Sunday, June 15th but we will respond to your messages when we return to the office.
Massed Bands
The massed bands performance will begin at approximately 6:30 – after all piping and drumming judging is complete.
Pets
The festival is dog friendly! Well behaved dogs are welcome but must be leashed. Please curb your animals and kindly clean up after them. Please be mindful of small children and other dogs at the festival.
Weather
The Festival will proceed rain or shine. Tickets are non-refundable. This festival would only be cancelled due to life-threatening weather such as a tornado. In case of lightning, please return to your car or sheltered areas. DO NOT shelter under tents unless they are clearly signposted as grounded.
Whisky Tasting
Tickets for the whisky tasting seminars can be purchased at the bar. ID is required to purchase.
WHEN
June 13-14, 2025
Friday: 1:00pm-10:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-10:00pm
WHERE
DuPage County Fairgrounds
2015 Manchester Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
TICKETS
Activities & Information
Use the links below to learn about activities and register to participate at the Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
Lodging
Make a reservation at our 2025 Scottish Festival & Highland Games host hotel featuring a discounted room rate, the Chicago Marriott Naperville.
Clans & Organizations
APPLICATIONS LIVE NOW!
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.
Membership
Chicago Scots is proud to offer a Reciprocal Membership Program with the National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA. You will receive a world of local benefits from two great organizations.
Plus, receive an exclusive member discount on Highland Games tickets!
Marketplace Vendors
APPLICATIONS LIVE NOW!
Shop for clothing, crafts, collectibles and more from local merchants.
Food Vendors
APPLICATIONS LIVE NOW!
Savor a variety of Scottish fare or sample an assortment of festival food.
Highland Dance
REGISTRATION LIVE NOW!
Visit the Highland Dance competition stage where dancers of all ages demonstrate this intricate and technically challenging sport.
Entertainment Stage
Kick up your kilt as you jam to the various Celtic rock and local bands featured on the main stage.
British Car Show
Admire the best of British engineering and vote for your favorite at the British Car Show on Saturday from 9:00am-4:00pm.
Piping & Drumming
Listen to the talented pipers and drummer at their very best as they compete for top solo and pipe band honors.
VIP Tent
This year’s VIP Tent is the ultimate way to enjoy the Scottish Festival and Highland Games!
Tickets include:
Complimentary food & beverage service, Whisky Masterclass presented from ImpEx Beverages Inc. Meet & Greet Gary Maclean, National Chef of Scotland, Premier Parking, Ring-side seats for the incredible Heavy Athletics competition & Massed Bands Performance
Dogs of Scotland
Meet these hardy breeds of Celtic canines and learn how they have aided Scots throughout the centuries.
Heavy Athletics
Witness incredible feats of strength & accuracy while watching classic, including the Caber Toss, Clachneart, Hammer Throw, Sheaf Toss & Weight Throws.
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.
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)
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).
Chef Gary Maclean
Gary Maclean, National Chef of Scotland, will be performing three live complimentary cooking demonstrations at the 2025 Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
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.
Heather Queen
The Heather Queen is a female 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.
Look for our reigning Heather Queen at this year's Games!
Genealogy
Research your Scottish heritage with help from the Chicago Scots’ Genealogy Group.
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.
Stop by the Scottish American History Forum tent.
Children's Area
Have fun with your kids as they meet a Clydesdale horse, play mini-versions of Scottish heavy athletics and miniature golf and more!
Raffle
Tickets can be purchased at the Chicago Scots tent throughout the weekend. Winner does not need to be present to win.
Whisky Seminars
ImpEx., our Official Whisky Sponsor, will host three Whisky Seminars featuring artisanal whiskies up to $250 per bottle.
Whisky Seminar tickets are available for purchase at the main bar on site.
Every year at our Scottish Festival & Highland Games, the Chicago Scots feature a family or an organization as our Honored Clan. This year, to recognize and celebrate its’ strong Scottish roots, our Honored Clan is Rotary International. We are proud to announce that Rotary International’s Scottish President, Gordon McInally has agreed to lead our Parade of Tartans at 12:30 p.m. Gordon will also receive the Salute to the Chieftain from the Massed Pipe Bands at approximately 6.30pm on Saturday, June 15, 2024.