The 38th Annual Celtic Classic is presented by Celtic Cultural Alliance, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and promoting the Celtic heritage through education, musical presentations, and traditional competitions in athletics, piping and dance.

The Celtic Classic takes place on the streets of Historic Downtown Bethlehem. Because of this vehicle access and on street parking is limited. Please see our shuttle and parking information.

Five stages of continuous entertainment featuring international, national and regional artists.

- The Celtic Classic Invitational Pipe Band Competition
- US National Highland Athletic Championships
- The “Showing of the Tartan” Parade (parade route) Kicks off at 11:30am on Saturday
- Haggis Competition
- The 28th Annual Celtic Classic Fiddle Competition
- A diverse marketplace of Celtic merchandise and collectibles
- Cultural Children’s Activity Area

Schedule of the Event:

September 26, 2025

Don’t miss a single moment on Friday as we kick-off the festival

Highland Field

4:00 PM: VIP Reception
5:15 PM: Haggis Bowl 2025
5:45 PM: Challenge Caber
6:30 PM: Wayside Farm Border Collies

Grand Pavilion

4:30 PM: Killen & Clark
6:00 PM : Cassie & Maggie
7:30 PM: Glengarry Bhoys
9:00 PM: The Prodigals

Tavern in the Glen

4:30 PM: Blackwater
6:00 PM: Rogue Diplomats
7:15 PM : O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
8:30 PM: Seamus Kennedy

Ice House

5:00 PM: O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
6:15 PM: Seamus Kennedy
7:30 PM: Gerry Timlin
9:00 PM: No Irish Need Apply

Celtic Cross Intersection

6:45 PM : Celtic United Pipe Band performance

September 27, 2025

Bring the whole family and experience the wonder of Celtic Classic from education, musical presentations, and traditional competitions in athletics, piping and dance.

The Celtic Classic takes place on the streets of Historic Downtown Bethlehem. We have 5 stages of free entertainment and be sure not to miss the “Showing of the Tartan Parade”. Make a day of it and a lifetime of memories.

Highland Field

10:00 AM: 22lb Hammer
11:00 AM: 24lb Braemar Stone
11:30 AM: Showing of the Tartan Parade
12:00 PM: Opening Ceremonies
12:45 PM: 56lb Weight for Distance
1:30 PM: Sheaf Toss
2:30 PM: Drum Major Competition
3:30 PM: Caber Toss
5:30 PM: Massed Bands
5:45 PM: Grade 4 Pipe Band Awards
6:30 PM: Border Collie Demo

Grand Pavilion

12:30 PM: Dave North Trio
2:00 PM: Cassie & Maggie
5:00 PM: The Prodigals
6:30 PM: O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
7:30 PM: Glengarry Bhoys
9:00 PM: Kilmaine Saints

Tavern in the Glen

11:15: Low Lily
12:45 PM: The Prodigals
2:15 PM: The John Byrne Band
3:45 PM: O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
4:30 PM: No Irish Need Apply
6:00 PM: Cassie & Maggie
7:30 PM: O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
8:30 PM: Seamus Kennedy

Ice House

9:00 AM: Youth Fiddle Competition
1:30 PM: No Irish Need Apply
3:00 PM: Glengarry Bhoys
4:30 PM: Gerry Timlin
6:00 PM: Runa
7:15 PM: O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
8:15 PM: The John Byrne Band

Piping Grove

1:30 PM: Grade 4 Pipe Band Competition

Celtic River Stage

12:30 PM: Gerry Timlin
2:00 PM: Runa
3:30 PM: Rogue Diplomats
5:00 PM: Blackwater
6:30 PM: Dave North Trio 

Celtic Heritage Hollow

11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Children’s Activity Tent
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Clans & Societies
10:00 AM: Baking Contest Check In
10:30 AM: Scone Baking Competition
11:00 AM: Celtic Storytelling Under The Trees
12:00 PM: Local history lecture – Welsh Pioneers of Industry & Labor in Eastern Pennsylvania
2:00 PM: Celtic Lore with International Storyteller Kristin Piedemonti
3:15 PM: Dave North Trio – Children’s Performance
4:00 PM: Celtic Storytelling Under The Trees
4:30 PM: Byzantium to Burns to Bono: The Poetry & Music of Bob Fahringer

September 28, 2025

Highland Field

10:00 AM: 16lb Hammer Throw
11:00 AM: Open Stone
11:45 AM: 28lb Weight for Distance
12:45 AM: Athletes lunch
1:15 PM: 56lb weight for height
2:45 PM: Caber Challenge
3:15PM: Kid’s Highland Games
4:00 PM: Athletic Awards
4:15 PM: Scholarships / Awards presentation
4:30 PM: Massed Bands
5:00 PM: Grade 3 Band Awards
5:30 PM: Wayside Farm Border Collies

Grand Pavilion

12:30 PM: Steel City Rovers
2:00 PM: Runa
5:00 PM: O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
6:00 PM: Kilmaine Saints

Tavern in the Glen
11:00 AM: O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
12:15 PM: Kilmaine Saints
1:45 PM: Gerry Timlin
3:15 PM: O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance
4:15 PM: The John Byrne Band
5:45 PM: Seamus Kennedy

Ice House
10:00 AM: Ecumenical Service
12:00 PM: Low Lily
3:00 PM: Dave North Trio

Piping Grove
12:00 PM: Grade 3 Pipe Band Competition

Celtic River Stage
12:30 PM: The John Byrne Band
2:00 PM: Blackwater
3:30 PM: Low Lily

Celtic Heritage Hollow
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Children’s Activity Tent
11:00 AM – 5:00 PM: Clans & Societies
10:00 AM: Youth Fiddle Workshop
11:00 AM: Celtic Storytelling Under The Trees
11:30 AM: Celtic Poetry Competition
12:30 PM: Freedom High School Celtic Ensemble
1:30 PM: Celtic History & Heritage with International Storyteller Kristin Piedmonti
2:30 PM: Seamus Kennedy’s Children’s Performance
3:15 PM: Kid’s Highland Games (on Highland Field)
3:30 PM: Border Reiver Clans: Raiders of the Scottish-Anglo Border

Date: September 26-28, 2025

Time:
September 26, 2025 from 4:30pm to 10:00pm
September 27, 2025 from 10:00am to 10:00pm
September 28, 2025 from 10:00am to 7:00pm

Location: Streets of Historic Downtown Bethlehem, PA

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