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Each September, the peaceful landscape of New Hampshire's White Mountains transforms into a lively celebration of Scottish culture and pride. The New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival stands as one of the most vibrant Scottish events in the United States, bringing together music, dance, athletics, and heritage in a powerful tribute to Highland tradition.
Visitors gather to watch caber tosses, enjoy the sound of bagpipes, explore clan history, and participate in cultural workshops connecting generations. This article offers a closer look at what makes the festival so unique and why it continues to inspire both newcomers and longtime enthusiasts alike.
I. What are the Highland games in New Hampshire?
The Highland Games in New Hampshire are a vibrant celebration of Scottish heritage, featuring traditional athletic events, music, dance, and clan culture. As one of North America's largest and most diverse Scottish festivals, it attracts over 35,000 attendees annually. The festival honors centuries-old traditions through caber tossing, Highland dancing, pipe bands, and cultural exhibits—offering a powerful glimpse into the spirit and pride of Scotland.
II. Where and When are the New Hampshire Highland Games 2025?
The 50th Annual NH Highland Games & Festival is set to take place from September 19 to 21, 2025, at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire. This three-day event celebrates Scottish heritage with traditional heavy athletics, live music, dance, food, and cultural activities. You can visit the grounds any day between 8:00 AM and 5:00 PM, and enjoy extra ticketed events in the evenings at different locations around Lincoln-Woodstock.
Here is the NH Highland Games ticket info for 2025:
Single-Day Tickets: $30 per adult
Three-Day Weekend Pass: $65 per adult
Children Under 14: Free admission
Evening ticketed events: From $20 to $72 (Ticket prices vary depending on the event you attend.)
Tickets can be purchased in advance online through the official NHSCOT website or by calling 1-800-358-7268. Tickets are also available at the gate each day.
New Hampshire Highland Games Schedule 2025 (Sept 19–21)
Day |
Time |
Main Events & Activities
|
Friday, Sept 19 |
8 AM – 5 PM |
|
Saturday, Sept 20 |
8 AM – 5 PM |
|
Sunday, Sept 21 |
8 AM – 5 PM |
|
III. Why the New Hampshire Highland Games Are a Must-Visit
The New Hampshire Scottish Festival is recognized as one of the most essential Scottish cultural events in the US. With deep historical roots and large-scale programming, the 2025 edition brings even more reasons to attend:
- 50th Anniversary: This milestone year marks a half-century celebration, with special features unique to 2025.
35,000+ Attendees Annually: The festival consistently draws one of North America's largest crowds for Highland Games.
World-Class Competitions: Watch iconic events performed by top-level athletes like caber toss, stone put, and hammer throw.
60+ Clan Tents: Dive into clan heritage with over 60 Scottish clans sharing tartans, histories, and family connections.
Live Music & Highland Dance: Pipe bands, Gaelic singers, and Highland dancers perform across multiple stages all weekend.
Cultural Workshops: Participate in Scottish cooking demos, genealogy sessions, and traditional craft experiences.
Family & Farm Life Fun: Children can enjoy crafts and storytelling, meet Highland cows, and watch working sheepdogs in action.
Scottish Food & Whisky: Enjoy authentic fare like haggis, meat pies, and curated whisky tastings.
Guinness World Record Attempt: The 2025 festival will feature an official attempt to break the world record for the largest bagpipe ensemble.
IV. Featured Activities at the New Hampshire Highland Games 2025
1. Caber Toss, Hammer Throw, and Other Heavy Athletics
The heavy athletics are the backbone of any authentic Highland Games, combining brute strength, balance, and centuries-old tradition. At the Highland Games at Loon Mountain, spectators can witness elite competitors take on some of the most iconic athletic events Highland Games NH has to offer—where history meets raw power on the field.
- Caber Toss: The caber toss in New Hampshire showcases athletes hoisting and flipping a massive wooden pole—usually 16 to 20 feet long and weighing around 90 to 150 pounds—aiming for a perfect 12 o'clock landing. It's not about distance but control and precision.
Hammer Throw: Using a long-handled ball weighing 16 or 22 pounds attached to a wooden handle approximately 4 feet long. Competitors spin and launch the hammer over their shoulders for maximum distance. Feet are fixed in place, making technique crucial.
- Open Stone Put: Similar to shot put, but with a naturally shaped stone weighing 16–22 pounds for men. Athletes can use different throwing styles, like the glide or spin, unlike the Olympic version.
- Weight for Distance: A heavy weight (28 or 56 pounds) is thrown with one hand swinging from a circle. The goal is maximum distance within a narrow sector.
- Weight Over Bar: Athletes throw a 56-pound weight vertically over a raised bar using only one hand. The bar gets higher each round until one winner remains.
To make the most of your festival experience, take a look at the heavy athletics schedule NH Games, which outlines athletics times and provides key details to help you plan your visit.
2. Highland Dancing Competitions
Unlike social dance, Highland dancing at NH Games is performed solo and judged on technique, timing, posture, and strength. A hallmark of Scottish culture in New Hampshire, it stands as a proud display of discipline and heritage at the festival. The Highland dancing competition NH attracts talented dancers of all ages and skill levels, each showcasing their mastery through traditional routines such as:
- Sword Dance (Gille Calum): Dancers perform precise, rhythmic steps around two crossed swords without touching them, symbolizing readiness for battle.
- Seann Triubhas: This expressive dance, meaning "Old Trousers," features graceful movements transitioning into energetic kicks—believed to represent the rejection of English rule and the return to the kilt.
Highland Fling: One of the oldest traditional dances, originally performed on a small shield (targe). It involves strong footwork and elevated hops that demand both balance and endurance.
Reel of Tulloch: A fast-paced group dance that showcases coordination and connection between dancers, often performed during exhibition segments.
3. Traditional Bagpipe and Drum Performances
Bagpipes and drums are the heartbeat of the Highland Games. At the festival, visitors can enjoy:
- Solo Piping & Drumming: Individual musicians compete in formal categories like Piobaireachd (classical piping) and March-Strathspey-Reel sets. These performances are a key feature of the bagpipe competition at Loon Mountain, drawing top pipers from across the country.
- Pipe Band Competitions: Full bands are judged on musical precision, rhythm, and ensemble unity.
- Massed Bands: Dozens of bands march and play together in powerful synchronized performances—a festival highlight.
Interactive Demonstrations: Some sessions explain the structure of pipe music, drum roles, and tuning techniques.
In 2025, the festival plans to attempt a Guinness World Record for the most pipers in a single performance. This event is scheduled for Saturday, September 20, during the 50th New Hampshire Highland Games.
4. Scottish Dog Breeds and Animal Shows
The animal showcases at the New Hampshire Highland Games highlight Scotland's rural heritage, primarily through working dog demonstrations and native breeds:
- Sheepdog Trials: Skilled Border Collies herd sheep through gates and obstacles under the precise commands of their handlers. These trials demonstrate the dogs' intelligence, speed, and teamwork, and are a staple attraction of the festival.
- Highland Cows: The iconic long-haired cattle of the Scottish Highlands are on display for visitors to observe, photograph, and learn about. Their gentle nature and distinctive appearance make them a favorite among families and children.
These activities are a hit with families and animal lovers, offering an interactive look at Scotland's farming traditions.
5. Royal “Multi” Mile Hill Run
If you're heading to the New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival 2025 , don’t miss the chance to challenge yourself in one of the weekend’s most energizing events — the Royal “(Multi) Mile Hill Run” . This exciting 5K trail race blends fitness, fun, and Scottish festival vibes into one unforgettable experience on the scenic slopes of Loon Mountain Resort.
The event schedule includes:
Check-in at 7:30 AM
Registration closes at 8:15 AM
Race starts at 8:30 AM
All registered participants in the Royal “Multi” Mile Hill Run will enjoy a variety of perks, including:
- Official race T-shirt
- A drink coupon for a local Scotch Ale (for participants aged 21+)
- Free Sunday Admission to the New Hampshire Highland Games (valued at $40!)
6. Friday Stone Lifting
The NH Highland Games & Festival 2025 is introducing an exciting new event — the Friday Stone Lifting event, set to take place on September 19, 2025, at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, NH. This special showcase features none other than Ryan Stewart, a two-time U.S. National Highland Games Champion. Known for his raw power and traditional technique, Stewart will headline this standalone stone lifting exhibition, bringing legendary feats of strength to the Highland stage.
7. Clan Tents and Genealogy Booths
The Clan Village is a central feature of the festival, offering a chance to connect with Scottish ancestry in a meaningful way:
Over 60 Clan Tents: Each tent represents a specific Scottish clan, showcasing tartans, mottos, family crests, and clan history. Visitors can ask questions, explore family connections, and learn about ancient lineages.
Genealogy Booths: Experts and volunteers provide tools to help guests trace their Scottish roots using maps, surname records, and clan registries.
V. How to Dress for the New Hampshire Highland Games
What you wear to the New Hampshire Highland Games reflects your spirit and respect for the occasion. Let your outfit celebrate the culture, the pride, and the joy of being part of something truly meaningful.
1. Matching Outfits for Family and Groups
If you're coming with family or friends, wearing coordinated outfits is a fun way to stand out. You can choose a shared tartan and build your look around it—kilts, beanie hats, skirts, or even matching scarves. Group shirts with clan names or Celtic symbols also work well. Just ensure everyone has shoes suitable for walking and layers for unpredictable weather.
2. Couple Styles for Highland Romance
3. Kids' Highland Games Outfit Ideas
If you're going with your child or young ones, dressing them in a touch of Highland flair can make the experience even more magical. Kids love vibrant patterns and playful styles—so a tartan hoodie, plaid dress, or a comfortable clan-themed T-shirt is a great way to get them into the day's spirit.
Not only do these outfits look adorable in photos, but they're also practical for exploring, dancing, and running across the festival grounds. It's all about keeping them happy, free to move, and feeling like part of the celebration.
💬 Curious about what to wear to the other Highland Games? This fun guide has everything you need!
Make Your Highland Games Moments Truly Unforgettable!
Step into the 2025 New Hampshire Highland Games with confidence and unity. At Tartan Vibes Clothing, we offer bold, comfortable, and stylish tartan apparel designed to help your team stand out and feel connected. Each piece celebrates Scottish tradition while giving your group a unique and coordinated look—ideal for competitions, gatherings, or spirited festivals.
Explore our collection today and create a look that captures the Games' energy, pride, and excitement.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will the 2025 New Hampshire Highland Games take place?
From September 19 to 21, 2025, at Loon Mountain Resort in Lincoln, New Hampshire.
How much are tickets to the festival?
Single-Day Ticket (Adult): $30
3-Day Weekend Pass (Adult): $65
Children Under 14: Free admission
What makes the 2025 event special?
The festival's 50th anniversary will feature a Guinness World Record attempt for the largest bagpipe ensemble ever assembled.
What are the main attractions at the Highland Games?
Caber toss, hammer throw, Highland dancing, bagpipe performances, clan tents, animal shows, Scottish food, and cultural workshops.
Aimee Li
An author dedicated to exploring the rich history, vibrant culture,... of the Scottish clans. As an avid historian and fashion enthusiast, I have always been fascinated by Scotland's heritage and the timeless elegance of its traditional attire. Join me on this journey through the highlands and lowlands, as we delve into the heart of Scottish legacy together.
