The Chicago Scots are proud to welcome you to the 40th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games, returning June 12–13, 2026, at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton. Join us for a memorable two-day celebration of Scottish culture, tradition, music, competition, and family fun as one of the Midwest’s premier summer festivals marks this milestone anniversary.
In celebration of America’s 250th birthday, Chicago Scots will honor the generations who have served in the United States military by recognizing veterans as the Honored Clan of the 2026 Games. Veterans representing every branch of service will lead the Parade of Tartans during Saturday’s opening ceremonies, joined by a special Armed Forces Medley performed by world champion piper Dave Johnston.
This year, Friday becomes a full day of festival activities, competitions, entertainment, and attractions, capped off by a lively Friday night ceilidh. Throughout the weekend, guests can enjoy the largest pipe band competition in North America, featuring more than 50 bands and a rare U.S. appearance by four-time World Champion Inveraray & District Pipe Band, along with Heavy Athletics, Highland Dancing, Celtic music, Dogs of Scotland, a British Car Show, genealogy, whisky tastings, Scottish food, and a bustling marketplace. Saturday evening will also feature a special watch party as Scotland opens its FIFA World Cup campaign against Haiti.
All proceeds from the weekend benefit Chicago Scots and its principal charity, Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care. Founded in 1845, Chicago Scots is the oldest not-for-profit organization in Illinois and proudly nourishes Scottish identity through service, fellowship, and celebration.
FAMILY FUN FRIDAY
SCOTTISH CEILIDH
Friday 6:00PM
PARADE OF TARTAN
Join us for a Salute to Veterans, the 2026 Honored Clan, when they lead the Parade of Tartan during Opening Ceremonies
Saturday 12:30PM
WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY
Scotland vs. Haiti
Watch Scotland’s historic return to the World Cup with the entire Scottish community at Chicago’s largest watch party.
Saturday 8:00PM
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 12, 2026: 9:00 am to 8:00 pm
Saturday, June 13, 2026: 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 12-13, 2026
Friday: 9:00am-8:00pm
Saturday: 9:00am-10:00pm
WHERE
DuPage County Fairgrounds
2015 Manchester Road
Wheaton, IL 60187
VOLUNTEER
SPONSORSHIPS
For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Dawn Miller at DawnMiller@chicagoscots.org.
Activities & Information
Use the links below to learn about activities and register to participate at the Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
Food Vendors
Savor a variety of Scottish fare or sample an assortment of festival food.
APPLICATIONS NOW LIVE!
Marketplace Vendors
Shop for clothing, crafts, collectibles and more from local merchants.
APPLICATIONS NOW LIVE!
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.
APPLICATIONS NOW LIVE!
Lodging
Make a reservation at our 2026 Scottish Festival & Highland Games host hotel featuring a discounted room rate, the Chicago Marriott Naperville.
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!
Entertainment Stage
WORLD CUP WATCH PARTY:
Join the entire Scottish Community to cheer for the Scotland vs Haiti Match
8 p.m. Saturday. And Kick up your kilt as you jam to the various Celtic rock and local bands featured on the main stage.
Highland Dance
REGISTRATION NOW LIVE!
Visit the Highland Dance competition stage where dancers of all ages demonstrate this intricate and technically challenging sport.
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., Premier Parking, Ring-side seats for the incredible Heavy Athletics competition & Massed Bands Performance
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.
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).
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.
Children's Area
Have fun with your kids as they meet Highland Cows, play mini-versions of Scottish heavy athletics and miniature golf and more!
Dogs of Scotland
Meet these hardy breeds of Celtic canines and learn how they have aided Scots throughout the centuries.
Raffle
Tickets can be purchased at the Chicago Scots tent throughout the weekend. Winner does not need to be present to win.
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.
Genealogy
Research your Scottish heritage with help from the Chicago Scots’ Genealogy Group.
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!
Sponsors
Thank you to the following businesses and organizations for sponsoring the 2026 Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
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.