Tartan Day South Highland Games & Celtic Festival
- Dates
- Apr 1 to 4, 2027
- Status
- Confirmed
- Venue
- Historic Columbia Speedway
- Price
- $20 to $25
- Camping
- Available
- Last checked
- Oct 16, 2026
Tartan Day South Highland Games & Celtic Festival returns to Historic Columbia Speedway, Cayce, SC, Apr 1 to 4, 2027. Froligo tracks current ticket prices, camping, attendee feedback and travel details.
The experience
What's special
Tartan Day South is a four-day Highland Games and Celtic festival in the greater Columbia, South Carolina Midlands, honoring Scottish, Irish and wider Celtic heritage, with the main event on Saturday at the Historic Columbia Speedway in Cayce. The festival brings Highland athletics and a flaming caber, massed pipe bands and a Parade of Celtic Nations, Scottish and Irish dancing, clan tents and genealogy, a Sunday Kirkin' of the Tartans, a classic British car show, birds of prey and sheep dog herding, and Celtic concerts across Cayce, West Columbia and Lexington
Last time around (2026)
The 2026 festival ran March 26-29 across Cayce, Lexington and West Columbia, with the Saturday main event at the Historic Columbia Speedway featuring Highland athletics, massed pipe bands, a British car show, birds of prey and sheep dog herding, a Friday Celtic Commotion concert with Kilmaine Saints, Syr and Tuatha Dea, and a Sunday Kirkin' of the Tartans
The games
Heavy athletics
Highland athletics run throughout Saturday at the Historic Columbia Speedway, with a lunch break from noon to 1 p.m. and an Order of the Flaming Caber induction during the opening ceremony
Pipe bands & Highland dance
Massed pipe bands, drum and pipe bands and traditional Scottish country and Irish step dancing feature, with a Parade of Celtic Nations at the Saturday welcome ceremony
Clans & genealogy
Celtic clans and societies gather on the grounds, Scottish genealogists help visitors trace their roots, and a Kirkin' of the Tartans is held on Sunday
Taking part
The four-day celebration adds a classic British car show, birds of prey and sheep dog herding, whiskey seminars, axe throwing, a colonial village marking the nation's 250th anniversary, and a free Drumsmoke drum circle at the campground
See it before you go
A look at the Highland Games in general, not this specific event.
Getting there
How do I get to Tartan Day South Highland Games & Celtic Festival?
By car
Most people drive to Tartan Day South Highland Games & Celtic Festival. 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 Parking at the Saturday main event at the Speedway is $5 per car, cash only; parking is free at the other events.
🚙 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
Historic Columbia Speedway
Camping & Accommodation
Where can I stay near Tartan Day South Highland Games & Celtic Festival?
Airport hotels 3
110 Branch Road, West Columbia, SC 29170
Link coming soon2245 Airport Boulevard, Cayce, SC 29033
Link coming soon2208 Airport Boulevard, West Columbia, SC 29170
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.
Confirm your specific needs with the organiser's access team before you travel.
Pricing
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