Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival

September 23–25, 2022 • Bethlehem, Pennsylvania


Stay up to date on Lehigh Valley tourism, events, and happenings. Sign up for Discover Lehigh Valley's eNewsletter


Join in a celebration of Celtic culture and heritage at Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival in downtown Bethlehem. Enjoy  of continuous entertainment featuring international, national, and regional Celtic artists, pipe bands, Irish dancers, a diverse marketplace of authentic Celtic merchandise and collectibles, and more.

And don't miss the U.S. National Highland Games Championship, showcasing amazing feats of strength and endurance.


bagpipers at Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, Pa.The Basics

Experience five stages of continuous entertainment featuring international, national and regional artists. Plan your visit to Celtic Classic around great music, or one of these exciting components:

  • The Celtic Classic Invitational Pipe Band Competition
  • US National Highland Athletic Championships
  • The “Showing of the Tartan” Parade  
  • Haggis Competition
  • The 23rd Annual Celtic Classic Fiddle Competition
  • A diverse marketplace of Celtic merchandise and collectibles
  • Cultural Children’s Activity Area

Map of Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival

A map of Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival in Bethlehem, Pa.

A Highland Games athlete throwing the hammer at Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival in Bethlehem, Pa.

U.S. National Highland Games Championship

Watch the top professional Highland athletes from across the U.S. compete at Celtic Classic in Bethlehem, Pa. Only the top 10 point earners in the country qualify to compete at the Celtic Classic for the U.S. Champion title. 

These competitors will perform feats of strength, speed, agility and skill, once commonplace during fairs, clan gatherings, festivals, and hunts in medieval Scotland. The games include lifting of heavy stone, throwing the hammer, and tossing of the caber.

Learn more.

Whiskey Master Class

New this year to Celtic Classic! Experience a one hour whiskey master class alongside Jared Card, of ImpEx Beverages, featuring a tasting journey featuring flavors of the United Kingdom, starting with the delicate flavors of Wales (Penderyn), the Sherry influence of Speyside (GlenAllachie), and finish with lovely peat smoke of Islay (Kilchoman). Taste 2 selections from each distillery and hear the history behind the spirits. 

Tasting Selections

Kilchoman Machir Bay, Kilchoman Sanaig, Penderyn Madeira, Penderyn Myth, GlenAllachie 12 year, and GlenAllachie 15 year.

Schedule & Tickets

Seating is limited for these master classes offered throughout the weekend of Celtic Classic (schedule below). This exclusive experience is ticketed ($50), the rest of Celtic Classic is free. 

  • Friday 9/23 at 6 p.m.
  • Saturday 9/24 at 1 p.m., 4 p.m., and 7 p.m.
  • Sunday 9/25 at 1 p.m.

Admission & Hours

Admission to the Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival is free. Festival hours are as follows:

  • Friday: 4–10 p.m.
  • Saturday: 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
  • Sunday: 10 a.m.–7 p.m.

See how Lehigh Valley does festivals.