Free State Highland Games
- Dates
- Oct 17, 2026
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Douglas County Fairgrounds
- Price
- Free
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Oct 16, 2026
Free State Highland Games returns to Douglas County Fairgrounds, Lawrence, KS, Oct 17, 2026. Froligo tracks free-entry details, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
The Free State Highland Games are a Scottish Highland Games built around heavy athletics at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Lawrence, Kansas. Launched in 2025 by Nine Point Athletics, the games showcase Scottish-style contests of strength and skill and pair them with live music, dancing, food and local vendors for a family-friendly day
Last time around (2025)
The first Free State Highland Games were held October 18, 2025 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds in Lawrence, a split-day heavy-athletics competition that organizers followed by reflecting on a successful debut
The games
Heavy athletics
Heavy athletics are the heart of the event, a Scottish-style contest of strength and skill run by Nine Point Athletics with athlete registration through Heavy Athlete in a split-day format
Taking part
Beyond the competition, the games are billed as a family-friendly festival with live entertainment, music and dancing, food vendors and local vendors
See it before you go
A look at the Highland Games in general, not this specific event.
Getting there
Nearest airport MCI.
How do I get to Free State Highland Games?
By car
Most people drive to Free State Highland Games. The nearest major airport is MCI, and from there it is a straightforward drive to the venue. Check current road and traffic conditions before you set off, and see parking below.
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
By bus & public transit
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Drive, fly in, or use a shuttle instead.
Taxi & rideshare
MCI is the nearest major commercial airport to Lawrence, about 45 miles east. Rideshare apps pick up at the arrivals curb; a licensed taxi is metered at $2.50 flag plus $2.10 per mile
Book / info →Taxis and rideshare such as Uber and Lyft can be limited near the venue, especially late at night or in rural areas. Agree a pickup point and time in advance and keep a backup plan.
🚙 Car hire
Compare car hire at MCI
If you are hiring a car, it is worth checking parking near the venue before you go.
Search car hire →Car hire links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Where
Venue
The venue has its own page with capacity, accessibility and parking.
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Free State Highland Games?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Budget stays 1
Mid-range hotels 1
Luxe hotels 1
A historic downtown Lawrence hotel on Massachusetts Street, a short drive from Douglas County Fairgrounds
Check rates →Airport hotels 3
775 North Brasilia Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64153
Link coming soon11812 Northwest Plaza Circle, Kansas City, MO 64153
Link coming soon11212 North Newark Circle, Kansas City, MO 64153
Link coming soonAirbnb & private camping
Lawrence has a healthy vacation-rental market given its university-town tourism, though pricing is generally moderate outside major Kansas home football weekends
Search Airbnb →This is a one-day fairgrounds games with no realistic nearby Hipcamp camping option; a hotel is the practical choice
Search Hipcamp →Browse all hotels near Douglas County Fairgrounds →
Hotel links may earn Froligo a commission; they never change the price you pay.
Accessibility & comfort
What the organiser or venue publishes about getting around, and what they do not.
Crawled ninepointathletics.com on 3 Sep 2026. The organiser publishes no accessibility page and nothing on terrain, accessible parking, accessible toilets, companion tickets, ASL or a quiet space
Confirm your specific needs with the organiser's access team before you travel.
Pricing
Got fresher info? Tell us, a real person checks every tip, and we love fresh info.