Ceilidh VIP Dinner & Dance
Friday, May 1, 5:30 PM – 9:00 PM
May 1-3, 2026
Wise County Fairgrounds • Decatur, Texas
More activities: Clan Village – Highland Games – Piping Contest – Medieval Battles – Sheepdog Arena – Shortbread Contest – Whiskey Tasting
Registration: Clans – Vendors – 5k Runners – Highland Games Athletes – Shortbread – Non-profits – Volunteers
Thank you to our Sponsors!
INFO & OVERVIEW
Decatur Celtic Festival is a new, grass-roots event to remember, honor, and advance the Celtic Cultural Traditions (of Scottish, Irish, Welsh, Briton, Isle of Man, Cornish and Scots-Irish peoples). We seek to recognize their profound contributions to music, song, literature, and the settlement of the American frontier. We honor their memory through a safe, fun, memorable day of music, food, drink, dance, and other activities for clans and community. Make plans to join in the festivities this year!
What to Expect
The festival is arranged with music, food, clans, and vendors next to each other. The music stage is in a large area where attendees are welcome to bring lawn chairs and blankets to have a place throughout the day to enjoy the performers, visit the clans and vendors, and watch and experience the various exhibitions. This is also a dog-friendly event.
Accommodations
Best Western Decatur
600 West Hale Ave, Decatur, TX 76234 (map)
For reservations, call 940.627.3338. Ask for the ‘Celtic Festival Block’.
Candlewood Suites Decatur Medical Center
601 W Thompson St, Decatur, TX 76234 (map)
For reservations, call 940.627.5480. Ask for the ‘Celtic Festival Block’.
A Plus RV Park
667 E. Franklin St., Alvord, TX 76225 (map)
Call Paula at the office: 940.427.9621 or cell: 940.577.1256
WORKSHOPS
Learn in these free workshops from band members!
DANCING
Join in or learn traditional Celtic dances!
ACTIVITIES
Live Music & Traditional Dance
Enjoy traditional Celtic music and performances from groups passionate about the traditional tunes that bring people together. View this year’s performers here.
Highland Games Competition
We’ve had demos in prior years and excited to bring you our first Highland Games Competition! We’ve teamed up with Scottish Highland Games to bring you a wide variety of captivating events.
VIP Cèilidh Dinner & Dance
Friday night, we kick things off with a Cèilidh (KAY-lee) dinner and dance. Make plans to attend for an evening of food and entertainment.
Clan Village & Goods
Visit various clans, browse their hand-made goods, learn more about Celtic history, discover secrets of your family genealogy, and join the efforts to uncover more! Register your clan here.
Vendors & Food Trucks
Visit various vendors who bring their craft, from food and drink to art and hand-made goods. List of vendors coming soon. Register your booth here.
Piping Competition
The Decatur Piping Competition is an annual celebration of piping heritage, bringing together top-tier pipers from across the country to compete in a showcase of skill and tradition.
- Solo: Grades 1 through 4
- Solo: Grade 5 (Chanter)
- Quartet Competition: Medley
Shortbread Baking Contest
Bring your best made-from-scratch shortbread recipe for the opportunity to take home the prize of best shortbread!
Requirements: Made from scratch, 6 piece minimum
Categories: Traditional, Non-traditional
Judging Criteria: taste, texture, appearance, and presentation
Celtic Warrior 5k Race
We’re hosting our first annual 5k race! Starting from the fairgrounds, you’ll wind through the Reunion grounds for a chip-timed race. Kilts permitted!
Whiskey Tasting
Raise a glass to Celtic heritage at the Decatur Celtic Festival’s Whiskey Tasting Experience! Three times available.
Tea Tasting
Kick back, relax, and enjoy a spot of tea, Celtic style. Only one time and space limited for our first tea tasting experience!
Celtic Instrument Jam Sessions
Play fiddle, bodhrán, pipes, or other instrument? Bring it along and join in one of the jam sessions taking place on the grounds.
Raffle Drawing
From art and goods to Scottish food, whiskey and more! Don’t miss this raffle, which runs throughout the day. More details soon.
For the Kids!
Bring the whole family! There’s plenty for young festival-goers to enjoy at the Decatur Celtic Festival. Families can enjoy crowd favorites, music and more, giving children lots to see, hear, and experience as they discover Celtic culture in an exciting, family-friendly setting.
- Sheepdog demonstrations
- Medieval battles
- Barrel Train
- Bounce House
- Pipe and drum music
- Blacksmith demonstrations
- Kids Corner
- Scavenger Hunt
Whether your child wants to burn off energy, meet amazing dogs, watch warriors in action, or simply soak in the music and atmosphere, the festival offers something for a wide range of ages. It’s a fun way for kids to explore, play, and make memories while parents enjoy all the sights, sounds, and traditions of the weekend.
REGISTRATION
Clans
Represent your Clan! $25 for each 10×10 space.
Vendors
Bring your food or craft to others! $75 for each 10×10 space.
Highland Games Athletes
Register to be part of the first Highland Games competition!
Celtic Warrior 5k
Register for the first annual Decatur Celtic Festival 5k!
Shortbread Competition
Enter your best traditional or non-traditional shortbread!
Volunteers
This event would not happen without all of our wonderful volunteers! Register here!
Thank you to our Partners!
