The Yosemite Celtic Festival returns to the Oakhurst Community Center (39800 Road 425B, Oakhurst) on Saturday and Sunday, October 17-18, 2026, bringing two full days of Celtic music, Highland athletics, living history, family activities, food, drink, shopping, and immersive cultural experiences to Yosemite’s southern gateway.
The festival is open Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with an Opening Ceremony at approximately 10:30 AM on the Sequoia Stage, and Sunday from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM, plus a special Friday night kickoff at South Gate Brewing Company and additional celebrations after the festival closes Saturday evening. Produced by Kimberly Vaughan Enterprises, LLC/KV Events, the Yosemite Celtic Festival has grown into a weekend designed to offer something for nearly every age and interest.
“We want people to experience the festival, not simply watch it,” said Kimberly Vaughan, Executive Producer of the Yosemite Celtic Festival. “You can listen to incredible Celtic music, watch the Highland athletes compete, meet Vikings, pet a Highland cow, explore your ancestry, have tea with a king, taste whisky, shop the marketplace, and end Saturday night dancing at a Cèilidh. There truly is something here for everyone.”
Music is a major focus of this year’s festival, with performances by Young Dubliners, Golden Bough, Gaelic Muses with Michael Mullen, Celtic Alchemy, Gail & Captain Dan, the Mariposa Uke Ensemble, and violinist Ariel Barker. The event also featured Highland dancing, piping, theatrical entertainment, Golden Chain Theatre, Yosemite Dance Company, and Splendid Absurdity.
Throughout the weekend, guests can watch traditional Highland Games, including the Caber Toss, Braemar Stone, Open Stone, Weight for Distance, Hammer, Sheaf Toss, and Weight over Bar. Novice athletes will compete Sunday, while younger festivalgoers can join in family-friendly activities such as the Ca-“bear” Toss.
The festival will also host a WUSPBA solo piping competition, with piping judge Glen Thompson, and guests can visit Clan Row to meet representatives of Scottish and Celtic heritage organizations, learn about clan histories, and explore family names and ancestry.
Living history is another centerpiece of the weekend. The Dark Boar Vikings will return with their encampment, demonstrations, and raids, and guests can experience archery throughout the festival grounds.
Animal encounters will include Irish Wolfhounds, Birds of Prey presented by The 3 Falconeers, and a live Highland cow, or “Heilan Coo,” expected to be one of the weekend’s most popular photo opportunities.
Families will find a full slate of children’s activities in the Fairy Village and Kids Zone, including crafts, face painting, storytelling, Wee Whiskers beard making, children’s axe throwing, Highland Coo Toss, coloring, and other interactive experiences.
The festival’s growing Guardians of the Grove literacy program will also be part of the weekend, introducing children to characters inspired by the Yosemite region and Sierra Nevada through stories focused on stewardship, courage, heritage, and belonging. Storytime is included with festival admission and requires no reservation. It also appears on the festival ticketing page as a complimentary optional add-on to help families notice and plan around the scheduled Storytime sessions.
Guests looking for a more theatrical experience can step inside the Royal Court for Tarts & Tea with Royalty, featuring King James VI and his court. Clans will approach the King to share stories of their lands while guests enjoy tea sponsored by From My Garden, tarts provided by Yosemite Pie Company, music, and entertainment.
Adults can also add a guided Whisky Tasting, with proceeds benefiting Yosemite High School sports.
The festival’s community impact extends beyond the whisky experience. The Yosemite Beard & Mustache Competition benefits Caring Veterans of America, while Saturday night’s traditional Cèilidh Dance benefits the Golden State Cultural Arts Foundation.
The Beard and Mustache Championship will feature competitors from the bearding community, with Dave Couch, creator of the Born Bearded YouTube channel and a competitor at the 2025 World Beard & Mustache Championships, among the judges.
Festival fun also includes a redesigned Pie Eating Contest, where competitors will have two minutes to eat as much as possible from 4-inch mini pies while wearing boxing gloves and using wooden spoons. Former California Assemblyman and Madera County Supervisor Frank Bigelow will join the festivities as a pie judge. A Saturday Pie Fight will add another playful moment to the weekend.
Food and drink will play a significant role throughout the festival, with a growing Celtic Foodie Experience, craft beer, mead, and a variety of food vendors. Guests can also shop the Celtic Marketplace, featuring artisans, makers, and specialty vendors.
For those ready to start celebrating early, the weekend begins Friday, October 16, at South Gate Brewing Company, where Celtic Alchemy will perform as part of the festival kickoff. South Gate Brewing Company will also offer a limited-edition Highland Amber throughout the weekend.
After Saturday’s daytime festival closes, guests can continue the celebration in two ways. The Cèilidh Dance will run from 7:00 PM to 10:00 PM at the Oakhurst Community Center, with caller Spencer Dayton teaching the dances so beginners and experienced dancers alike can join in. Tickets are $10, with proceeds benefiting the Golden State Cultural Arts Foundation. Meanwhile, Gaelic Muses with Michael Mullen will continue the live music celebration Saturday evening at South Gate Brewing Company.
“I love that the festival doesn’t simply end when the gates close,” Vaughan expressed. “People can spend the day immersed in the festival then choose whether they want to dance at the Cèilidh or continue the evening with live Celtic music at South Gate. It creates a true weekend experience and brings that energy to into the community.”
The Yosemite Celtic Festival is supported by key sponsors and community partners, including Visit Yosemite | Madera County, Valley PBS, Mariposa Gazette, Wicked Mead, SunGold Craft Beer, South Gate Brewing Company, Rusty Piston, Lepley Tree Service, Yosemite Event Rentals, Yosemite Pie Company, Lavender Fresh Farm, From My Garden, and Emadco.
The Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games takes place at the Oakhurst Community Center, 39800 Road 425B, Oakhurst, 93644. Admission is $25 for adults for a single day or $45 for a weekend pass. Youths aged 5-12 are $15 for a single day or $25 for a weekend pass, and children 4 and under are free. Gate prices increase by $5, and on-site parking is $5. Certain specialty experiences, including the Cèilidh Dance, Whisky Tasting, and Tarts & Tea with Royalty, require separate tickets or reservations. For tickets, schedules, and complete festival information, visit www.YosemiteCelticFestival.com
