24th Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games

September 13 & 14, 2025 | Saturday 10am-10:30pm; Sunday 10am-7:00pm

 

Attractions

Living History

Throughout the weekend you'll see history and culture come alive in various ways, all thanks to those who honor all aspects of Celtic life. Better yet, you can join in! Hear stories, peruse specialty collections, learn about swordfighting, and more.

the 13th realm
The 13th Realm

The 13th Realm are re-enactors who recreate European 13th century. Their family-friendly demonstrations and artifacts allow guests to have a greater understanding of this era.

Celtic Spirit Pipe Band
Celtic Spirit Pipe Band

Stop by Celtic Spirit's booth to meet their members, learn about their pipe band and the instruments they play.

Cobblestone Alpacas
Cobblestone Fiber Designs

Cobblestone Fiber Designs uses various fiber crafting techniques including weaving, knitting, crochet, hand-dying, and more. Visit their booth for first-hand demos of these ancient arts, and to purchase a variety of goods such as clothing, jewelry and artisinal soaps.

High Striker Game
High Striker Game

"Step right up and test your strength!" A high striker, also known as a strength tester or strongman game, is a century-old attraction used in funfairs, amusement parks, and carnivals. Players swing a hammer to strike a lever, which sends a puck up a tower - the more strength, the higher the puck goes!

Ruff Rock Mining LLC
Ruff Rock Mining LLC

Fossils or gemstones...which will you pick? Select your bag of sand, pour it into a tray and let a 10-foot water sluiceway reveal your surprise treasures! Ruff Rock Mining also offers a unique collection of rocks, cut gems, geode crackers and fossils, many of which are labeled by the location they were found.

SHFT
Society for Historical & Fantasy Times (SHFT)

Saturday Only

Gain wonderful knowledge and hands-on experience with ancient weapons and battle skills. SHFT members perform demos all weekend long, giving presentations and letting guests join in as well.

spangler forge
Spangler Forge

Spangler Forge is a true blacksmith shop: no power hammers, hydraulic presses, or propane forges. They combine traditional hand-forging techniques with modern metallurgy to create unique and lasting pieces. Human spirit meets hot iron, just like it has for thousands of years.

wishing tree
The Wishing Tree

The tree's origins come from old Celtic traditions; variations include Fairy, May, and Votive Trees. Visitors add wishes (or prayers) as offerings to saints, deities or wee folk. At weekend's end they are ceremoniously sent to the heavens, where we hope many receive help in coming true!

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Clan Village

The history and pride of many Celtic people thrives in the descendants of the original families of Scotland and Ireland, known as Clans. They honor their ancestors by celebrating the traditions and heritage that have held their families together for generations. A visit is highly recommended, as the living history of Clan Village cannot be missed.

grahams of montrose

Grahams of Montrose New!

Clan Grant

Clan Grant

gunn

Clan Gunn

clan baird

Clan Hannay

Clan Henderson

Clan Henderson

Clan Masonic

Clan Masonic

Clan Morrison

Clan Morrison

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Celtic College

Celebrating history and heritage of the Celts is a priority for the Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival. The Celtic College hosts a series of cultural classes and lectures designed to educate and enlighten you. Here's your chance to learn first-hand about bagpipes, Celtic poetry, genealogy and more- new topics every year. Make sure your visit includes one or more of these FREE classes!

Saturday, Sept. 14

Times
Class

1:00pm

Celtic Mystical Menagerie

with Kenneth R McIntosh

From dragons to kitty cats, and water beasties to hounds, Celtic legends are filled with creatures natural and magical. Learn about a great many creatures, and the ancient researchers who studied them.

2:00pm

Highland Attire: 1250 to Modern

with Sue Anulis

Travel through the centuries as attire transitioned with the latest trends and needs for daily life. Includes looks at gowns, plaid weaving, pleated wool kilts, and draping airsaids.

3:00pm

The Celts: Past & Present

with Kyle McCollum of SYR 

 TBA

4:00pm

Make Your Own: Celtic Illumination

with Vic Thibault

Create and take home an illuminated letter at this popular, step-by-step class! This unique art style comes from ancient Illuminated Manuscripts like The Book of Kells, which is currently housed at Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland.

5:00pm

 Private Event
 

Sunday, Sept. 15

Times
Class

1:00pm

Alawon Sesiwn: Welsh Trad Songs & Tunes

with Sally Schaefer

Take a deep dive into Welsh songs and lyrics. Listen to live performances as you learn origins and historical backgrounds, thematic motifs, practical applications, and their ongoing revival in modern Wales.

2:00pm

Weaponsmithing & Prestige in Viking Age Settlements

with Mathew Holland

Explore the archaeology, history, and folklore of weapons found in Norse-Celtic settlements and burials. Learn their meaning within the Norse-Celtic diaspora, along with who the cultures viewed and depicted each other.

3:00pm

Cornel Cymraeg: Intro to Welsh Speaking

with Christine McSorley

A popular, not-to-be-missed lesson! Learn the Welsh alphabet and a few phrases with Welsh language expert Christine McSorley.

4:00pm

Through Irish Eyes: Buffalo History in Song

with Tyler Bagwell

Experience live performances of songs connected to Ireland and Buffalo.

 

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Animals

Niagara Celtic hosts a wonderful array of demonstrations and hands-on experience with a variety of animals, including breeds direct from the British Isles whenever possible.

dove release
Dove Release & Showcase w/ Katie Martin

Saturday Only

Be at the Wee Folk Shire on Saturday at 12:30pm for the end of the Opening Ceremonies, so your kids can delight in a professional dove release. Learn about the birds and see their skills in action!

agility dream dogs
Agility Dream Dogs

Sunday Only

A popular attraction has returned! Enjoy the amazing skills and tricks of some wonderful Shelties (a Scottish breed) and their friends.

Shenandoah Acres Petting Zoo
Miniature Horse Show  New!

by the North-East Herd Niagara Co. 4H Club

Sunday Only

Miniature horses are making their Niagara Celtic debut at the outdoor riding arena in Dagda Faire! Learn the history of this amazing breed while watching demos of their skill, grace, and athleticism.

Shenandoah Acres Petting Zoo
Shenandoah Acres Petting Farm

Experience a wonderful array of farm animals. All ages will delight as they meet and learn about the lives of alpacas,  chickens, goats, bunnies, and more!  

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Wee Folk Shire

 

Open Saturday, 11am-5pm and Sunday 11am-4pm. Wonder and adventure are found everywhere in Niagara Celtic's Wee Folk Shire. Journey through four mini-lands designed to encourage education, imagination, active play and togetherness.

Highlander’s Field
  • Highlander's Practice Field: caber toss, stone throw, sheep toss, knight sword play
  • Finn McCool’s Giant’s Causeway Hopscotch
  • Pot O’Gold Toss
  • Wee Castle Golf
  • Walk the Plank Toss
Vale of Glamorgan
  • Bubble Garden
  • Daffodil Ring Toss
  • Cornish Crow Kay
  • StoryTeller's Tree
  • Puppet Wagon
Queen’s Keep

  • Face Painting
  • Celtic Crafts
  • Weaver's Workshop
  • Celtic Music Makers
  • Knots & Crosses (tic tac toe)
  • Draughts (checkers)
  • Toddler Pixie Play Area
  • Face-In-the-Hole Boards - photo opportunities
  • Special Guest Performances

Whimsy’s Knob
  • Dove Showcase w/ Katie Martin (Saturday only)
  • Brittany Bowling
  • Turtle Bay fishing & sand play
  • Gnome Hole
  • Building Blocks in Gobban the Builder’s Hut
  • Castle Play
Celtic Angels
Celtic Angels

**Sunday Only**

Celtic Angels are a youth choir that learns and perform songs in English and Irish Gaelic. Their choir is open to children of all ages at no cost.

puppet wagon
Puppet Wagon

Come one, come all! See the masterful blend of puppetry and storytelling from yester-years. Puppeteer Franklin LaVoie's masterful skills delight audiences young and old.

storyteller's tree
The Storyteller's Tree

Storytelling was vital during the time of ancient Celts, as a way to share history, lessons and fantasy.  Whether it's a fanciful teller of tales or a talking tree, spend time relaxing with our storytellers. Showtimes and story lengths vary.

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