BETHLEHEM, Pa. — With a lucky forecast in sight, bagpipes, fiddles and Celtic pride return to the Historic District this weekend.
The Celtic Classic and U.S. National Highland Games will be held Friday, Sept. 26, through Sunday, Sept. 28— bringing hammer throwing, bagpipes, clans, shortbread, kilts and music.
Now in its 38th year, the free event is organized by the Celtic Cultural Alliance.
Known as the largest free Celtic festival in North America, the Celtic Classic combines world-class music, athletic competition, and cultural showcases and draws more than 200,000 visitors each year.
In contrast to past years — when rainy weather dampened attendance and forced some Highland Games events to be canceled — this year’s forecast looks much brighter.
According to AccuWeather.com andWeather.com,the festival weekend is expected to bring partly sunny skies with temperatures reaching the upper 70s.
In 2023, Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival took a significant hit in attendance and left the Cultural Alliance in a fragile financial state.
At the time, festival organizers said they were not sure the alliance would have enough funds to put on this year’s Classic.
A $75,000 state grant awarded in early 2024 provided the Celtic Cultural Alliance with the support needed to continue its programming.
Musical lineup
Nearly 20 entertainers during Celtic Classic will showcase the music and dance traditions of Ireland, Cornwall, the Isle of Man, Brittany, Scotland and Wales.
With offerings as diverse as high-energy Celtic rock, traditional bagpipers and more, performances will fill four stages throughout the festival.
Friday's schedule begins at 4:30 p.m. with Blackwater, a Celtic folk group, at the Tavern in the Glen stage.
Also performing at Tavern: Rogue Diplomats at 6 p.m., O'Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance at 7:15 p.m. and Seamus Kennedy at 8:30 p.m.
At the Ice House on Friday: O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance at 5 p.m., Seamus Kennedy at 6:15 p.m. Gerry Timlin at 7:30 p.m. and No Irish Need Apply at 9 p.m.
Also, at the Celtic Cross Intersection, will be the Celtic United Pipe Band at 6:45 p.m.
Saturday's lineup at the Grand Pavilion will be:
Dave North Trio at 12:30 p.m.; Cassie & Maggie at 2 p.m., Low Lily at 3:30 p.m., the Prodigals at 5 p.m., O'Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance at 6:30 p.m., Glengarry Boys at 7:30 p.m., and Kilmaine Saints at 9 p.m.
At Tavern in the Glen: Low Lily at 11:15 a.m., The Prodigals at 12:45 p.m., The John Byrne Band at 2:15 p.m., O'Grady Quilan Irish Dance at 3:45 p.m., No Irish Need Apply at 4:30 p.m., Cassie & Maggie at 6 p.m., Grady Quilan Dance at 7:30 p.m., and Seamus Kennedy at 8:30 p.m.
At the Ice House: 9 a.m. Youth fiddle competition, 1:30 p.m. No Irish Need Apply, 3 p.m., Glengarry Boys, 4:30 p.m., Gerry Timlin, 6 p.m. Runa, 7:15 p.m. O'Grady Quinlan Irish Dance at 7:15 p.m. and the John Byrne Band at 8:15 p.m.
For Sunday's musical lineup, visit the festival's performer page.
Parade of the Tartans
One of the weekend’s most anticipated traditions, the Showing of the Tartan Parade, will step off from Bethlehem City Hall, 10 E. Church St., at 11:30 a.m. Saturday.
Walking in this year's procession will be clans and societies, competing Grade 4 pipe bands, and high school bands, including the Liberty High School Grenadier Band, Freedom High School Patriot Band, and Bangor Area High School Slater Band.
Irish eyes surely will be smiling at the contestants in this year's Celtic-themed contests.
One of the wackier ones, the Haggis Bowl 2025, returns at 5:15 p.m. Friday at Highland Field.
Fifteen people will compete to see who can most quickly eat a pound of haggis — a traditional Scottish dish made from sheep's heart, liver, and lungs, mixed with oatmeal, suet and spices, encased in the animal's stomach and boiled.
No condiments, seasonings, or sauces are allowed; the haggis must be eaten as presented.
The winner walks away with bragging rights, $25 worth of Celtic Classic food and beverage tickets, and a 2025 Celtic Classic souvenir mug.
At 11 a.m., Saturday, the Scottish scone-baking contest will occur at Celtic Heritage Hollow.
Bakers will showcase their finest recipes, and entries will be judged on taste, appearance, creativity, and texture.
The top three winners will earn prizes from King Arthur Baking, with one younger scone-maker (under 18) receiving a special junior award.
Lastly, find out if the Celtic Classic found the next W.B. Yeats at 11:30 a.m. Sunday on the Heritage Stage, where this year's winners of the Celtic Classic poetry contest recite their works onstage.
The contest, which was open to writers of all ages, judged writers on their ability to reflect the culture of the seven Celtic nations.
Where to eat, shop
Along with cheeseburgers, loaded poutine and grilled sausages and bacon on a stick, you can sample traditional fish and chips, haggis, bangers and mash on the festival grounds.
Food trucks pulling up this year include Celtic Pig, Sherri's Crab Cakes, Greek Street, Grumpy's BBQ Roadhouse, DP's Apple Dumpling, Aw Shucks! and Flying V.
Also, Heidi’s Strudel, Karl Ehmers Sausages, Heaven On A Bun, Aqui Es — A Taste of Mexico, Bitty and Beau's, Monster Baby Donutts and Merry Poppkin's Kettle Corn.
Additionally, Celtic Classic will feature more than 30 vendors offering authentic Celtic goods, including jewelry, sweaters, kilts, hats and home décor.
For a list of vendors, visit the festival's merchant page.
Storytime, kids' activities
History buffs and those traveling with kids can visit Celtic Heritage Hollow, in the Colonial Industrial Corner.
Scheduled this year are clan exhibits, a lecture on the Welsh pioneers of industry and labor in eastern Pennsylvania, heritage programming and storytelling on Welsh and Celtic history.
There also will be musical workshops and a performance at 12:30 p.m. Sunday by Freedom High School's Celtic Ensemble.
The U.S. National Highland Games Championship, in which athletes demonstrate strength in traditional games such as the caber toss and hammer throw, returns to Celtic Classic.
This year's qualifiers are Kyle Lillie, Colin Dunbar, Damien Fisher, Eric Frasure, Jonathan Harding, Matthew McDougal, Graham Hawthorne, Isaac Burchett and Aaron Castle.
The Highland Games start at 10 a.m. Saturday with the 22-pound hammer throw on Highland Field and conclude at 4 p.m. Sunday.
Shuttle to festival grounds, parking
Street parking near the festival grounds is limited.
Organizers recommend that festival-goers use the shuttle, which runs every 20 to 30 minutes from 1640 Valley Center Parkway starting at 9 a.m. Saturday.
Shuttle times are 9 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Saturday and 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Sunday.
The cost is $5 per day for passengers 6 years and older; under age 5 is free.
For public parking, the following lots will be open:
- 75 W. North St. parking garage, which is two blocks from the festival, $10 per day
- 121 W. Union Blvd. parking lot, which is less than a block away, starting at $10 per day (subject to change)
- 55 E. Broad St. parking lot, which is four blocks away, metered at $1 per hour.
For festival schedules and more information, visit the Celtic Classic website.
