Scottish Highland Gathering & Games (Pleasanton)
- Dates
- Expected September 2027
- Status
- Expected
- Venue
- Alameda County Fairgrounds
- Price
- Not announced
- Camping
- None on site
- Last checked
- Oct 16, 2026
Scottish Highland Gathering & Games (Pleasanton)'s 2027 dates haven't been announced yet. The last festival was 5 to 6 September 2026 in Pleasanton, CA. 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 (2025)
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 car
Most people drive to Scottish Highland Gathering & Games (Pleasanton). 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
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.
🅿 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
Compare car hire
On site parking is available; if you are hiring a car it is worth checking the cost and how early it fills.
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Where
Venue
Alameda County Fairgrounds
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Scottish Highland Gathering & Games (Pleasanton)?
No on site camping. Here is where to stay nearby.
Airport hotels 3
1260 South Loop Road, Alameda, CA 94502
Link coming soon1660;1700 Harbor Bay Parkway, Alameda, CA 94502
Link coming soon10 Hegenberger Road, Oakland, CA 94621
Link coming soonHotel 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.
Official site thescottishgames.com checked including home and linked pages; no accessibility, ADA or disabled access information published. Note the similarly named scotgames.com is a different event (Capital District Scottish Games, Altamont NY), so do not reuse its access details here. Event is at the Alameda County Fairgrounds; ask the organiser and the fairgrounds
Confirm your specific needs with the organiser's access team before you travel.
Pricing
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