2024 Festival Information

About our Highland Games

2024 marks our 175th Highland Games!

This year’s Games will be help on Saturday, August 3, 2024 with a pre-Games Ceilidh to kick us off on Friday, August 2nd. All events take place at Greenmead Historical Park in Livonia, Michigan.

Since 1849, our Annual Highland Games have been presented by St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting Scottish heritage through education, musical presentations, and traditional competitions in athletics, piping, and dance.

Our Annual Highland Games event is a celebration of Scottish culture and heritage. As a part of this celebration the following events and activities take place:

Continuous entertainment featuring national and regional artists
Pipe Band competition
Heavy Athletic competition
Highland Dance competition
The “Parade of Clans” featuring Clans from across the USA
Our Wee Bairns Area for the little ones
A diverse marketplace of Celtic crafts, merchandise, and collectibles
Scottish and other food vendors

Things You Need To Know

ACCESSIBILITY & PARKING

Our Annual Highland Games grounds are wheelchair-accessible. However, due to the large size and natural terrain, it can be difficult to navigate the grounds with a wheelchair. You must have a state-issued disability parking permit to use the on-site accessible parking area. Use the Newburgh Road entrance to access the accessible parking area.

ADMISSION

PURCHASE TICKETS

Type of Tickets include:

Ceilidh: Advance tickets or Day of Event

General Admission Ticket to the Ceilidh on the Friday before our Games. A ceilidh is a traditional Scottish Party with live entertainment. It’s a party you won’t want to miss. Food and beverages are available to purchase. All tickets are non-refundable.

Note: This is an adult atmosphere. You must be over 21 years of age and have valid identification to purchase alcoholic beverages.

General Admission Gate: Advance Tickets or Day of Event

General Admission Gate Ticket for the Highland Games on the Saturday of our Games.

Note: Children 12 and Under are FREE and do not require a ticket.

Patron – Individual Tickets:

Patron Ticket for the Highland Games on the Saturday of our Games. Includes shaded VIP seating on the Main Field, assorted food and drinks served all day, one patron parking pass.

Note: The parking pass will be emailed to you approximately one week prior to the games.

Patron – Child Tickets (ages 13-17):

Child (ages 13-17) Patron Ticket for Highland Games on the Saturday of our Games. This ticket must be purchased with a Patron – Adult Ticket.

Patron- Child Tickets (ages 12 and Under): Free

Child (ages 12 and under) Patron Ticket for Highland Games on the Saturday of our Games. This ticket must be purchased with a Patron – Adult Ticket.

Whisky Tasting Tickets – at 1:00 pm and at 3:00 pm:

Come to learn or just indulge. Taste and enjoy five whiskies with food.

Note: The Scotch Tasting takes place inside the Highland Games on the Saturday of our Games. You must purchase a General Admission Gate ticket or a Patron ticket with this ticket to gain entrance into the games. Guests must be 21 and over and have valid identification.

BEVERAGES

Can be purchased at the entertainment tents, food vendors, and water tents. Beverages include soft drinks, bottled water, liquor, beer, and wine.

CLAN HISTORY

Whether you are researching your family tree or would like to know more about your surname history, Clan Row is the place you’ll want to visit during our Annual Highland Games. Please view our Clans Page to find out which clans will be represented.

CONTACT INFORMATION

If you have questions about our Annual Highland Games, contact us via email at highlandgameschair@detroitscots.com.

Or, give us a call at 248-526-1849.

Email is the preferred method of contact.

FIRST AID & EMERGENCY

The onsite First Aid tent is across from the main entertainment tent. Only First Aid treatment is available.

If additional treatment is necessary, an ambulance will transport you to the hospital and charges will be made by the appropriate hospital and ambulance service.

FESTIVAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

– No vehicles may park in an unauthorized parking area. Visitors may be towed away at the owner’s expense, without notice. Please use the parking facilities.

– No vendors may set up their wares, except for those already contracted by St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit.

– No printed materials, including political material aimed at any person or party, may be distributed during the festival.

– All bicycles must be walked through the grounds. Skateboards and roller blades are not permitted.

– Portable tape players and/or radios are not permitted on the festival site.

– No drugs or illegal activities will be tolerated at the festival.

– Coolers or picnic baskets are allowed at the festival, but not permitted at the Ceilidh.

– Dogs on leashes are allowed at the festival on Saturday only, but no dogs are permitted at the Ceilidh.

– St. Andrew’s Society of Detroit follows regulations established by the Michigan Liquor Control Board. Proper ID must be presented upon request.

LIVING HISTORY AREA

Living History Programs are presented at the end of or to the North of Clan Row. Please view our Events Schedule Page for location.

HOTELS AND CAMPING:

Visit our Lodging Page for our host hotel information. Camping is not allowed on the Festival grounds.

LOST AND FOUND

Please bring found items to the Welcome Center tent.

PRESS

Please direct all media inquiries, including requests for interviews and press credentials via email to pressrelease@detroitscots.com

SOUVENIRS

Assorted apparel items, jewelry, tote bags and more will be available at the Souvenir tent in the Welcome Center.

TRANSPORTATION AND PARKING

Visit our Location page for full transportation and parking information.

VOLUNTEERS

For more information, please visit our Volunteers page.