24th Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games

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

 

Live On Stage

2024 Performers

96th highlanders
The 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums, Inc.

The 96th Highlanders Pipes and Drums Inc of Jamestown, NY is under the direction of Pipe Major Pamela Silver. They are proud to represent their region of Jamestown, NY and Chautauqua County.

 
bbi
Bastard Bearded Irishman

 Pittsburgh-based Bastard Bearded Irishmen is one of the most entertaining and energetic live shows today. Their sound is an original, ferocious blend of traditional and contemporary Celtic music, mixed with punk, gypsy and high-energy rock n’ roll. They’re hard-partying and always in good spirit!

The Blarney Bunch
The Blarney Bunch

This popular South Buffalo Irish band performs wonderful tunes that delight fans and fairgoers each year.

 
Buffalo Niagara Scotia Society Pipes & Drums
Buffalo Niagara Scotia Society Pipes & Drums

One of WNY's newer pipe bands, BNSS is dedicated to strengthening Scottish pride in the region, through the art of playing bagpipes. They welcome newcomers of all ages.

 
cairde
Cairde

Cairde’s always expanding repertoire that runs the gamut from centuries-old traditional tunes. They play a blend of Irish & Scottish traditional and contemporary tunes, pub and fiery rebel songs, along with American folk.

 
canawlers
Canawlers New!

 

Catch and Release
Catch and Release

Catch and Release is a 5-piece high-energy Celtic influenced band out of Rochester, New York. They cover both traditional and modern Celtic/Irish songs, as well as some standards, polkas, and even a few surprises.

 
CelticMoon
CelticMoon

CelticMoon entertains with Irish traditional and Irish American favorites for pubs, family gatherings, weddings, wedding rehearsals, festivals and life celebrations (wakes).

 
Celtic Spirit Pipe Band
Celtic Spirit Pipe Band 

Celtic Spirit mixes traditional pipe music with various modern instruments in unique arrangements created by the band. Their performances span festivals, traditional parades and high profiles shows.

 
crikwater
Crikwater

Born in the rustbelt Irish American neighborhood of South Buffalo, NY, Crikwater have become the premier Irish-American Traditional Folk Band in WNY. The pub-scene veterans offer up a mix of fiery fiddle tunes, rowdy pub sing-a-longs, elegant ballads and original songs.

 
Dave Stayner
David Stayner

 

 
"D" Company Buffalo City Guard Gordon Highlanders
"D" Company Buffalo City Guard Gordon Highlanders

The Gordon Highlanders were formed in 1837 in defense of the City of Buffalo. They are the oldest continuing organization in the City of Buffalo.

 
yellow jack duo
Dennis & Lainie from Yellow Jack

Yellow Jack celebrates local history through their music. They offer original material, American classics and folk music (including Erie Canal songs).

 
Feadán Òr Pipe Band
Feadán Òr Pipe Band

The original Feadán Òr performed for about 18 years, and was one of the most known bands in the area. Their newest incarnation's aim is to promote traditional Scottish bagpiping, drumming and dancing, in performances and through teaching.

 
ggb
Glengarry Bhoys

From a small Scots-French-Canadian enclave in Eastern Ontario, these Celtic-Stompers, always push the musical envelope but never stray too far from thir roots. They have earned a reputation as entertainers that challenge you to sit still during their engaging performances.

Harris-Grieco Academy of Irish Dance
Harris-Grieco Academy of Irish Dance

One of the newer dance academies to the Buffalo, NY region, it is led by renowned dancer Rachael Grieco. She is enjoying her lifelong passion of teaching and passing on Irish heritage to future generations.

 
the Irish lassies
The Irish Lassies

The Irish Lassies are a 6-piece American Celtic folk band native to the green hills of New York's Finger Lakes region. Enjoy a musical      journey from Ireland to America that will move your spirit and rouse you to dance & sing-along.

 
kilrush
Kilrush New!

Based out of the Southern Tier region of New York, Kilrush is the premier band specializing in a wide range of musical styles from traditional Irish to contemporary Celtic and Celtic rock.

Kindred
Kindred

With a rare blending of voice, cello, guitars, and percussion, Kindred draw their music from the Irish poets, pubs, and county fairs; from the Scottish Highlands, Atlantic Canada, and the Appalachian crannies of the American southeast.

 
MacKenzie Highlanders' Pipes and Drums
MacKenzie Highlanders' Pipes and Drums

With roots dating back to 1913, the band has had many incarnations over the years. Now the tradition continues... The MacKenzie Highlanders' offer free bagpipe and Scottish drum lessons to all interested in becoming a member.

 
mccarthyizm
McCarthyizm

McCarthyizm blends 60’s garage and 80’s underground rock with a tasty measure of Celtic flavoring for a cocktail with a punch that delivers one helluva good time, all the time.

 
Mount St. Mary Academy Marching Band
Mount St. Mary Academy Marching Band New!

Founded in 2002, Mount St. Mary boasts the only fully instrumented all-girls marching band in New York State. Make sure to see their impressive showcase.

 
Niagara Highland Dance Academy
Niagara Highland Dance Academy

Niagara Highland Dance Academy have been a part of the Niagara, Canada Region for 20 years. Their dance studio is family-oriented and aims to promote a supportive, fun and engaging environment for all dancers.

 
Niagara Regional Police Pipes and Drums
Niagara Regional Police Pipes and Drums

The Niagara Regional Police Pipes and Drums is located in Niagara Falls, Canada. They perfom locally and across Canada and the USA at Scottish Highland Games and other Celtic events, both as a concert and competition Pipe Band.

 
O'Braca Irish Band
O'Braca Irish Band

O'Braca has been entertaining WNY with traditional Irish music since 2011. They're an all acoustic band singing songs with lively vocals. Members of the band are seasoned musicians...playing & recording in multiple bands currently and over the years. A fun bunch of guys!

 
Rince na Tiarna Irish Dance School
Rince na Tiarna Irish Dance School

Rince na Tiarna (Gaelic for ‘Lord of the Dance’) is a family oriented school that teaches students from five to young adult, while nurturing pride in Gaelic culture. From beginner to champion, hard work, creativity and fun generate a certain spirit and style that is unique to their school and students.

 
ROCeltic
ROCeltic

ROCeltic is a performance company based in Rochester, NY. They celebrate Irish heritage – past, present and future – through music and dance. Progressive with a traditional foundation, “ROCeltic” strives to break down genre barriers.

 
Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums
Rochester Scottish Pipes and Drums

The Rochester Scottish Pipes & Drums is the city of Rochester’s Celtic Ambassador to the world. The band has greatly expanded its repertoire to include both traditional martial music and more modern tunes.

 
Ro's Gorm
Ro's Gorm
 
Royal Sottish Country Dance Society
Royal Scottish Country Dance Society

Scottish Country Dancing is a distinctive, historical form of social dancing by common folk and the elite. Thanks to the social pattern of Scotland, Scottish Country Dancing has never died. This socially inclusive traditional dancing helped make Scottish Country Dancing accessible to all, from the barn to the ballroom.

 
Setanta
Setanta

Setanta is a trio of musicians (Gregor Harvey, Mark Warford, Natalie Bennett) who bring the finest tunes and songs from the deep well of traditional music of Ireland. Setanta has performed at many local venues.

 
Step in Time
Step in Time

Their diverse repertoire of Celtic, seafaring and music from the 14th century to now is performed with outstanding vocals and varied instrumentation, including: Guitar, Pipes, Whistles, Concertina, Bouzouki, Bodhran, Harmonica, Flute and Recorder. Performances full of energy and humor are their hallmarks.

 
syr
SYR

SYR (Sire) is a Celtic Folk Rock band from Columbia, SC. Taking inspiration from Celtic history, stories and myth, SYR blends their various unique backgrounds to create powerful songs with themes like battle, love, loss, heritage and victory. 

Three Parts Whiskey
Three Parts Whiskey

Three Parts Whiskey is a trio of friends who truly love entertaining. Born out of the critically acclaimed Penny Whiskey, 3PW offers the best in music from both Ireland & Scotland along with home grown bluegrass, folk influences and a few surprises along the way!

 
Tom Callahan
Tom Callahan

Tom Callahan’s unique voice is rich, powerful, and expressive and his music is captivating. Audiences are often inclined to join in on a rousing pub favorite. Tom plays several instruments, but his signature is the 12-string guitar which he has played since the age of fifteen.

 
Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross
Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross

Firmly dedicated to preserving Scottish and Irish heritage through song, Tom Keefer and Celtic Cross delivers music from their ancestors. Having played all over New York, in Pennsylvania, Virginia and Canada, they are "road-ready" for Celtic entertainment.

 
 

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Stages

cara stage
Cara Stage

This small accoustic stage is big on passion. Performers fill The Great Hall with Celtic & local sounds at select times daily.

 
celtic arts stage
Celtic Arts Stage

Celtic sounds originated with solo performers and small groups. This stage hosts their modern counterparts, who blend traditional sounds with their own style. This is our only indoor stage, and offers restaurant-style seating.

 
dragonfly stage
Dragonfly Stage

Music is alive at the Dagda Faire! The Dragonfly hosts a variety of popular musical acts, all with the goal of keeping the Dagda's atmosphere full of fun and excitement.

 
fireside stage
Fireside Stage

Music and dancing at Fireside is nearly non-stop, from local favorites to international rockers. It's the home for the After Hours Ceilidh, and is surrounded by lights, food, ceremonial fires and more!

 
motte & bailey arena
Motte & Bailey Arena

This wood arena has built in bleachers and a roof, allowing shelter while outdoors. Enjoy dancers, pipe band showcases, unique demonstrations and more!

 
 

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