Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival

13/07/2026

Calling all Clans!

We want YOU to be part of the 2026 Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival at Bannockburn!

On Saturday, 24 October 2026, the Golden Plains Soccer Club will transform into a vibrant gathering ground of Celtic history, music and tradition. This is your chance to raise your banners, share your history, and help families connect with their ancestral roots. Your presence is what makes this day truly special.

Why join the Clan Village?

• Heritage: Help visitors discover their heritage and trace their family trees.

• Community: Reconnect with fellow clan members and share your proud history.

• Atmosphere: Enjoy a front-row seat to the heavy games, pipe bands, and brilliant artisan stalls.

👉 APPLY NOW to secure your marquee space.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/4CFkw5XddA

Let’s fill the field with tartan, history and pride.

Which Clan will be out in full force this year?

Proudly supported by the Golden Plains Shire Council

30/06/2026

✨ Introducing Our Patron – A Proud Connection to Scotland ✨

The Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival is incredibly honoured to welcome Simon Abney-Hastings, 15th Earl of Loudoun, as our official Patron.

Born in 1974, Simon holds one of Scotland’s oldest noble titles, created in 1633, representing the historic Campbells of Loudoun—the oldest branch of Clan Campbell and an enduring symbol of Scotland’s heritage.
Since succeeding to the earldom in 2012, Simon has continued a remarkable legacy, with ancestry linking him to the House of Plantagenet, King James IV of Scotland, and Mary Tudor, Queen of France.

Today, while based in Sydney and Wangaratta, he remains deeply connected to his Scottish roots and is recognised by historians as the senior surviving descendant of this historic royal line.

A passionate supporter of Scottish culture across Australia and the Commonwealth, the Earl is a familiar face at Highland gatherings and cultural celebrations, championing traditions, history, and community spirit. His patronage brings a meaningful connection to the very heritage we celebrate.

We are proud to have the Earl of Loudoun join us as Patron and can’t wait to share this incredible festival experience with you all.

Simon Abney-Hastings 15th Earl of Loudoun

Photo: MJVentre

22/06/2026

We would love some more volunteers!

Volunteers Wanted – Join the Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival!

We’re calling for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring the Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival to life. From soaking up the atmosphere to being part of an iconic community event, volunteering is a fun and rewarding way to be involved behind the scenes.

Whether you can help with event support, setup, gate duties or general assistance, we’d love to have you on the team. No experience is needed – everyone is welcome, and there’s a role to suit all levels of availability.

Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
Venue: Golden Plains Soccer Club, Bannockburn

If you enjoy community spirit, culture and a great day out, we’d love to hear from you. Register via the link below and be part of this fantastic celebration of Scottish and Celtic heritage.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/wCKNeP2iux

05/06/2026

Now is the time to register! Performer applications are still open 👍

PERFORMER APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!

The Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival is inviting performers to be part of our 2026 celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture.

Held in Bannockburn on Saturday 24 October 2026, the festival is a welcoming, family‑friendly event showcasing Heavy Games, Pipe Bands, music, dance and cultural traditions, designed to bring the community together from across the region.

We welcome applications from Scottish and Celtic dance groups, musicians, bands and performance groups whose work reflects traditional, contemporary or fusion Scottish and Celtic expression.

All applications will be carefully considered as part of our programming process. With a limited number of performance opportunities available, we appreciate your interest and enthusiasm in being part of the festival. Successful applicants will be contacted following the review, with performance schedules and event details shared closer to the event.

⏰ Applications close 31 July 2026

👉 To apply, please click the link below and complete the performer application.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/fqnEN27MEi

24/05/2026

Thank you to all who have submitted their stall applications!
Please note we will not be accepting any further applications for ice cream vans, potato curl stalls and children’s toy stalls.
We would like a few more coffee vans though!
Thank you ☺️

STALLHOLDER APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

We’re inviting food vendors, artisans, makers, Clans and boutique stallholders to apply for a stall at the 2026 Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival, taking place in Bannockburn on Saturday 24 October 2026 at the Golden Plains Soccer Club.

We particularly welcome stallholders whose stalls reflect traditional or contemporary Scottish and Celtic expressions, alongside high‑quality food, handcrafted goods and unique retail products that help create a vibrant, engaging festival atmosphere.

📅 Applications close: 31 August 2026

All applications will be reviewed as part of a formal selection process. With limited space available, not all applications will be successful. Thank you for your understanding.

👉 Apply now and be part of this much‑loved celebration of culture, creativity and community!

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/4CFkw5XddA

08/05/2026

Volunteers Wanted!

Thank you to those that have kindly registered! We will be in contact very soon!

Volunteers Wanted – Join the Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival!

We’re calling for enthusiastic volunteers to help bring the Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival to life. From soaking up the atmosphere to being part of an iconic community event, volunteering is a fun and rewarding way to be involved behind the scenes.

Whether you can help with event support, setup, gate duties or general assistance, we’d love to have you on the team. No experience is needed – everyone is welcome, and there’s a role to suit all levels of availability.

Date: Saturday 24 October 2026
Venue: Golden Plains Soccer Club, Bannockburn

If you enjoy community spirit, culture and a great day out, we’d love to hear from you. Register via the link below and be part of this fantastic celebration of Scottish and Celtic heritage.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/wCKNeP2iux

05/05/2026

Don’t forget about Performer Applications! 🎶 💃 🎤🎻🎷🪉

PERFORMER APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!

The Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival is inviting performers to be part of our 2026 celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture.

Held in Bannockburn on Saturday 24 October 2026, the festival is a welcoming, family‑friendly event showcasing Heavy Games, Pipe Bands, music, dance and cultural traditions, designed to bring the community together from across the region.

We welcome applications from Scottish and Celtic dance groups, musicians, bands and performance groups whose work reflects traditional, contemporary or fusion Scottish and Celtic expression.

All applications will be carefully considered as part of our programming process. With a limited number of performance opportunities available, we appreciate your interest and enthusiasm in being part of the festival. Successful applicants will be contacted following the review, with performance schedules and event details shared closer to the event.

⏰ Applications close 31 July 2026

👉 To apply, please click the link below and complete the performer application.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/fqnEN27MEi

03/05/2026

STALLHOLDER APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

We’re inviting food vendors, artisans, makers, Clans and boutique stallholders to apply for a stall at the 2026 Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival, taking place in Bannockburn on Saturday 24 October 2026 at the Golden Plains Soccer Club.

We particularly welcome stallholders whose stalls reflect traditional or contemporary Scottish and Celtic expressions, alongside high‑quality food, handcrafted goods and unique retail products that help create a vibrant, engaging festival atmosphere.

📅 Applications close: 31 August 2026

All applications will be reviewed as part of a formal selection process. With limited space available, not all applications will be successful. Thank you for your understanding.

👉 Apply now and be part of this much‑loved celebration of culture, creativity and community!

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/4CFkw5XddA

12/04/2026

Performer Applications are OPEN ! 🥁🎻🪉💃🎶

PERFORMER APPLICATIONS ARE OPEN!

The Geelong Highland Games & Celtic Festival is inviting performers to be part of our 2026 celebration of Scottish and Celtic culture.

Held in Bannockburn on Saturday 24 October 2026, the festival is a welcoming, family‑friendly event showcasing Heavy Games, Pipe Bands, music, dance and cultural traditions, designed to bring the community together from across the region.

We welcome applications from Scottish and Celtic dance groups, musicians, bands and performance groups whose work reflects traditional, contemporary or fusion Scottish and Celtic expression.

All applications will be carefully considered as part of our programming process. With a limited number of performance opportunities available, we appreciate your interest and enthusiasm in being part of the festival. Successful applicants will be contacted following the review, with performance schedules and event details shared closer to the event.

⏰ Applications close 31 July 2026

👉 To apply, please click the link below and complete the performer application.

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/fqnEN27MEi

03/04/2026

Craig Monument takes out the Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival IHGF masters 50+ division