Welcome to the 38th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games
We are excited to to bring Scotland to you at the DuPage County Fairgrounds in Wheaton!
Don’t miss this year’s special guests, Gordon McInally, President of Rotary International and Chef Gary Maclean, National Chef of Scotland! The Children’s Area is packed with entertaining activities and don’t forget to meet and greet our Highland Cows. Don’t forget to sign up at the beverage tent for your choice of 1, 2 or 3 Whisky Seminars. Our iconic, favorite events are back this year including the Caber Toss. The incredible massed band performance will be at 6:30pm on Saturday night!
This year, we are going “mostly” digital. A master schedule and map for the weekend are available here and printed copies are at our Admissions Tent. Additional details can all be right here below this message. Just scroll down to the attraction or competition to read more! We hope you make some great memories this weekend!
Interactive Map
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 14, 2024: 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Saturday, June 15, 2024: 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.
Outside Canopy and/or Tents
Festival attendees are permitted to set up outside canopies, tents and chairs in designated areas only.
Food & Beverages
No outside food or beverages are 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 16th 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 seminars can be purchased at the bar. ID is required to purchase.
Please be sure to post your photos and videos on social media using the hashtag:
#SCOTTISHFEST4ALL
Activities & Information
Use the links below to learn about activities and register to participate at the Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
Raffle
Enter to win the Grand Prize, roundtrip airfare for two to Scotland & a 7-night stay in Firbank Cottage at Culzean Castle, or one of two other great prizes including a basket of premium 18-year whisky bottles or first gin from Isle of Harris.
Tickets can be purchased at the Chicago Scots tent throughout the weekend. Winner does not need to be present to win.
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.
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).
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!
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.
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.
Whisky Seminars
Hotaling & Co., 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. Tickets are $40 per seminar.
The Whisky Seminars will be held in Building 5 at the Fairgrounds.
Piping & Drumming
Listen to the talented pipers and drummer at their very best as they compete for top solo and pipe band honors.
Dogs of Scotland
Meet these hardy breeds of Celtic canines and learn how they have aided Scots throughout the centuries.
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)
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.
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!
Lodging
View hotels offering discounted blocks of rooms for attendees of the Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
Chef Gary Maclean
Gary Maclean, National Chef of Scotland, will be performing three live complimentary cooking demonstrations at the 2024 Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
Heavy Athletics
Witness incredible feats of strength & accuracy while watching classic, including the Caber Toss, Clachneart, Hammer Throw, Sheaf Toss & Weight Throws.
Highland Dance
Visit the Highland Dance competition stage where dancers of all ages demonstrate this intricate and technically challenging sport.
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.
VIP Tent
This year’s VIP Tent is the ultimate way to enjoy the Scottish Festival and Highland Games!
SOLD OUT
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.
Marketplace Vendors
Shop for clothing, crafts, collectibles and more from local merchants.
Sponsorships
Learn about sponsorship opportunities and sign up to become a sponsor at the Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
Sponsors
Thank you to the following businesses and organizations for sponsoring the 2024 Scottish Festival & Highland Games.
Negaunee Foundation
The Scottish American History Forum
Andy and Pam Kerr
Connie Nestor
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.