24th Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games

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

 

Get Involved

Volunteer Sponsor Participate PR

 

Become a Volunteer

Every Festival could not go on without the hundreds of dedicated volunteers who give time and support towards this wonderful fall weekend! Volunteers receive FREE entrance into the festival and food tickets based on shift length. Shifts are an average of 2-4 hours depending on the job, but you must work at least 4 hours to qualify for compensation.

Student Volunteers: We accept ages 15+ for work hours, and are happy to complete paperwork to confirm contributed hours.

2025 Festival Planning Meetings

All are welcome to our meetings; please join us to meet other volunteers and decide how you'd like to help.  

Meetings are held at The Niagara County Fairgrounds inside the Auditorium of the Training Center, unless otherwise noted.

Meetings will begin in Spring. Check back here, watch you inbox, or email us to be added to our list: volunteers@niagaraceltic.com

* If you are a volunteer, make sure you get our emails and mailers for the latest updates! Email vickib@niagaraceltic.com to be added to our lists.

New Volunteer Form

Thanks for your interest in helping us pull off one of the biggest festivals in Niagara County. We look forward to meeting you! Please complete this form if you are new and cannot attend meetings. The Volunteer Team will contact you as the festival nears.

  Cannot see the form?  Please email volunteers@niagaraceltic.com with questions and your interest.

 

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Become a Festival Sponsor

It's proven that loyal event fans are loyal to their sponsors.

Niagara Celtic is one of the best upscale heritage destinations in upstate NY, hosting some of the best artists, performers, artisans and vendors from around the world. Our goal is to remain one of the most independent and authentic Celtic events in the region. You can help us achieve this goal by becoming a sponsor. Together we'll make our festival even better!

For 2025 Sponsor Options, please contact us - Beth: beth@niagaraceltic.com, 1-716-778-5730 or Vicki: vickib@niagaraceltic.com

Sponsors can receive:

Complimentary Festival Day Passes
Banner displays during the festival
Ads in our festival guidebook, handed out free to guests
Grounds space during the festival for promotional purposes
Logo on our poster and summer brochures
Logo in our email newsletters and on our website
Feature Social Media Posts and/or mentions
Business mentions repeatedly through announcements throughout festival weekend

**We can customize package items to best fit your business model**

 

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Participate

Celtic College Clan Village Demonstrations & Groups Entertainment Highland Games Athletes Vendors

Celtic College

We're always looking for those willing to share their education, experience and/or skills with our guests. Classes are 30-60 minutes depending on the subject, and hands-on activities are highly wanted. For details and questions please email Gretchen S. at gretchen@niagaraceltic.com. Limited spaces available.

 

Clan Village

All visiting clans receive a 10x10 grounds space and a few complementary passes for workers. We'll also make a donation to your clan for attending, to help with traveling costs. You may bring whatever you'd like for display: costumes, albums, scrapbooks, maps, charts, photos, membership forms, and souvenirs. Email clans@niagaraceltic.com with questions.

 

Demonstrations & Groups

Niagara Celtic is filled with organizations, displays and other items unique to Celtic history and heritage.

Community Groups & Societies

We are looking for historical and local non-profit organizations that are willing to participate in our festival. Your group does not have to be Celtic to participate. Contact Liz A. (email) for information, and to see if your organization fits our festival.

Demonstrations

Do you have a skill that has some form of Celtic background? Please call us, we would love to have you participate in our festival (you may receive compensation for your travel and time). Demos we are looking for include: animal attractions & exhibits, historical reenactments & exhibits, swordsmen, acting troupes, and more. Call Beth B. (716) 778-5730 or email: beth@niagaraceltic.com.

Reenactors/ Living Historians

One of the more valued sights on the grounds are those who dressed up to show another period of time and history in Celtic heritage. If you participate in a re-enactment group, please call Beth B. (716) 778-5730 or email: beth@niagaraceltic.com.

 

Entertainment

This includes pipe bands, dancers, dance schools, bands, solo artists.

New bands/ performers must send us demos, albums, or videos to introduce yourselves. Our ability to know you better will improve your chances of being invited. Email: beth@niagaraceltic.com or call 716.778.5730, or mail to: Niagara Celtic att: Entertainment; 6447 Phillips Rd. Burt, NY 14028

 

Highland Games Athletes

The Niagara Highland Athletics Club accepts athletes from around the globe. Contact Paul to get details about events, training, practice events, or to simply watch the many games held in the US and Canada throughout the year.  

New athletes must have training to be eligible to enter major events, including the games during Niagara Celtic. Call Paul K for details on training and practice events: 716.433.6727 (leave a message; it may take time as he's very busy).

 

Vendors

  • **REQUIRED** When emailing: tell us your name, business, address & phone, along with what you plan to sell. You must sell some products with a Celtic connection. As we limit the number of sellers of products, it helps if your products come from categories we don't already have. You can view our announced vendors here.

  • Contact us ONE WAY ONLY, by email preferably. It helps your chances if we do not receive multiple requests, all within a few hours or days.

Retail, Artisans & Craftsmen: Elizabeth A. (email)

Food Vendors: Ursula P. (email)

If we are interested, we'll contact you and mail out a contract. Please be patient if you don't hear from us immediately...we will get in touch with you as soon as we can.

PLEASE NOTE: Due to high volumes of requests, limited space availability and busy volunteer schedules, it will take time to receive a response!

 

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Press & Media

Publicity Contact: Vicki Banks, Marketing Director. vickib@niagaraceltic.com or 716-778-5730

All press releases/ photos/ logos are copyright protected. Use of them in a way considered unsatisfactory to the society, or use of them in an inappropriate manner, will result in swift and serious legal action.

WHO: Presented by non-profit Niagara Celtic Heritage Society, founded in 2001

WHAT: 23rd Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games

WHEN: Saturday, Sept. 14, 10am-10:30pm & Sunday. Sept. 15, 10am-7:00pm

WHERE: Niagara County Fairgrounds, 4487 Lake Ave. (Rte. 78) Lockport, NY 14094

TICKETS: Admission: Adults $12-35

Children 12 & Under FREE, Parking FREE | *Discounts for Groups, Seniors, Military, Students

LINKS:

WEBSITE: NiagaraCeltic.com
FACEBOOK: www.facebook.com/niagaraceltic
TICKETS: click here

2023 flyer
 
 

youtube

Media Coverage

2024

Orleans Hub

2019

Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival moves from Olcott to Lockport | The Buffalo News

2016

It's almost time for Celtic Fest | The Lockport Union Sun & Journal

2015

MAILBAG: 'Niagara Celtic' a terrific time in any weather | The Lockport Union Sun & Journal

Cultivating Celtic roots | The Lockport Union Sun & Journal

Celtic Fest offers plenty to do next weekend| The Lockport Union Sun & Journal

Sign up now for the Niagara Celtic 5K run | The Lockport Union Sun & Journal

2014

14th Annual Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival to continue Celtic traditions in Western New York

2013

Niagara Celtic Festival's not your average event | Niagara Gazette

2012

www.prlog.org/11961918-niagara-celtic-festival-gets-ready-to-host-annual-highland-games.html

5/31/2012 www.wnypapers.com

2010

All things Celtic being celebrated in Olcott (2010) | Buffalo News

 
 

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