Scottish Highland Gathering & Games (Pleasanton)
- Dates
- Sep 5 to 6, 2026
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Alameda County Fairgrounds
- Price
- Not announced
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Sep 1, 2026
Scottish Highland Gathering & Games (Pleasanton) returns to Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton, CA, Sep 5 to 6, 2026. Froligo tracks ticket prices, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Held every Labor Day weekend at the Alameda County Fairgrounds in Pleasanton, this is California's largest and longest-running Scottish Games, running since 1866 under the Caledonian Club of San Francisco. The milestone 160th gathering pairs the 2026 Men's Scottish Heavy Athletics World Championships and the 50th U.S. Invitational Championships with Highland dancing, massed pipe bands, sheepdog trials, a whisky tasting, birds of prey, and Celtic rock across four stages
What people love
Attendees describe an easygoing, do-it-all day out, with bagpipes and men in kilts, Clydesdales, sheep dogs and the strength competitions all in one place. The breadth of the program and the caber toss and massed bands draw the biggest crowds
Last time around
The 159th annual Scottish Highland Gathering & Games ran over Labor Day weekend 2025 in Pleasanton, with the same mix of heavy athletics, piping and drumming, Highland dance and Celtic entertainment that returns for the 160th edition
The games
Heavy athletics
The 2026 games host the 2026 Men's Scottish Heavy Athletics World Championships alongside the 50th annual U.S. Invitational Heavy Athletics Championships, with putting the stone, weights for distance, hammer throwing, caber toss, weight for height and the sheaf toss on the athletic field
Pipe bands & Highland dance
Solo piping and drumming, pipe band grade competitions and a Drum Major competition run across the weekend, with Western U.S. Open Highland Dancing Championships and the iconic Massed Bands finale where hundreds of pipers and drummers unite to perform as one, led by the LA Scots Pipe Band and the 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band
Clans & genealogy
Scottish clans and societies gather in the Glen of the Clans and march past during daily opening ceremonies, part of the games' Celtic heritage programming
Taking part
The day is packed with sheepdog trials, birds of prey and Celtic animal exhibits, archery, classic cars, 5-a-side soccer, a whisky tasting for guests 21 and over, a daily Grandstand Show, and the Kilted Mile open to kilted runners of all ages, with Celtic rock and folk bands including Albannach and Tempest across four stages and a Friday Night Concert
See it before you go
A look at the Highland Games in general, not this specific event.
Getting there
How do I get to Scottish Highland Gathering & Games (Pleasanton)?
By train
No direct passenger rail to the venue was found. Use the airport transfers or shuttle options above.
By bus
No scheduled intercity bus or public transit route to the venue was found. Use the airport transfers or shuttle options above.
🅿 Parking
On site parking available. Cost Ample parking is available; buying parking in advance is encouraged to save time at the gates (credit card only on-site).
🚙 Car hire
Where
Exact location not mapped yet.
Venue
Alameda County Fairgrounds
Pricing
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