2026 Chicago Scots Highland Festival and Games Highland Dance Competition

Welcome to the 2026 Scottish Festival & Highland Games Highland Dance Competition!

Judge: Pamela Patrick

Registration Deadline: June 6th, 2026. Registrations after this date will have an additional fee.

Competition Organizer: Nancy Strolle

For More Information : Contact Nancy 630.967.8623 or email [email protected]

For full details: CLICK HERE

To Purchase Highland Games Tickets: CLICK HERE

Lodging:

If you need lodging for 6/12 and 6/13, please check with SpringHill Suites 630-393-0400 located at 4305 Weaver Pkwy, Warrenville, IL 60555. Be sure to mention Chicago Scots Highland Games -DANCE for a rate of $129.00 for a double room. There are a limited number of rooms available at this rate. Please let Nancy know if the block is unavailable.

PLEASE PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO THE SCHEDULE FOR ALL CATEGORIES

Schedule for the day is subject to change based on number of entries received.

9:00 Gates Open

9:30 Primary, Beginner, and Novice registration opens

10:00 Dancing begins for Primary, Beginner, and Novice

12:00 BREAK

1:00 Intermediate, and Premier registration opens

1:30 Dancing begins for Intermediate and Premier groups

PRIMARY

Pas De Basques

Pas De Basques/Hicuts (4x)

Fling (4)

Sword (2&1)

BEGINNER

Flora (4)

Lilt (4)

Fling (4)

Sword (2&1)

Triubhas (3&1)

NOVICE

Flora (4)

Lilt (4)

Fling (4)

Sword (2&1)

Triubhas (3&1)

INTERMEDIATE

Hornpipe (4)

Barracks (4)

Fling (4)

Sword (2&1)

Triubhas (3 & 1)

PREMIER - UNDER 12

Hornpipe (4)

Fling (4)

Sword (2&1)

Triubhas (3&1)

Strathspey & Half Tulloch

PREMIER 12 & OVER

Hornpipe (5)

Fling (6)

Sword (3&1)

Triubhas (4 & 2)

Strathspey & Half Tulloch

Regulations for Competition (COMPETITION REGISTRATION USMW-0217)

1. The competition will be conducted following RSOBHD rules. The judge's decision is final.

2. Age groups will be determined according to the number of entries. Competitor age determined as of the day of the competition, June 13, 2026. Proof of age must be furnished upon request.

3. Medals will be awarded in each event except the oldest premier group where prize money will be awarded. DANCERS MUST BE IN COSTUME TO RECEIVE AWARDS.

4. A trophy will be awarded to the highest aggregate point winner in each age group. No trophy for Primary.

5. Dancers entering first will dance last. Dancers must be ready and appear when called or forfeit the chance to dance in that event.

6. Dancers must have a 2026 competition registration card to compete.

7. The competition organizer reserves the right to add or remove events from the schedule and make other changes as long as its action is within the scope of RSOBHD rules and is, in its judgment, in the best interest of the event.

8. NO REFUNDS.

Did you know that the Illinois Saint Andrew Society (dba Chicago Scots) is the oldest philanthropic organization chartered in the State of Illinois and that it is the ONLY Scottish society to own and operate a retirement home in North America? Caledonia Senior Living and Memory Care is located in North Riverside and is the home of the Scottish American Museum in Heritage Hall.

For more information please visit: Caledonia Senior Living

The Chicago Scots Highland Games are happy to be back at their location at the DuPage County Fair Grounds in Wheaton. We have opted to move the dance competition inside Building 2/3 located at the south end of the Fair Grounds.

We think that you will enjoy being in this space as it is very roomy, has a stage, air-conditioning, a built-in sound system, and indoor bathrooms.

Layout will be the same as Spring Fling 2026 .

The Fair Ground gates do not open until 9:00, which is why we have scheduled registration for 9:30 with the morning dancing starting at 10:00 with the beginner National dances. Intermediate and premier will register at 1:00 and the afternoon dancing will begin at 1:30. Awards will take place at the end of the morning dancing and the end of the afternoon dancing.

GENERAL INFORMATION

Come join us at the DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds for the 40th Annual Scottish Festival & Highland Games. This 2-day, outdoor family-friendly event is a chance to explore Scottish culture without buying a plane ticket. The Scottish Festival features an extravaganza of activities and attractions - the largest bagpiping championship in North America, the iconic caber toss, highland dancing, kids activities (including a Scottish petting zoo), Scottish genealogy and history, classic British car show, dogs of Scotland and a marketplace where you can buy (very nearly) anything Scottish.....kilts, candy, cuddly toys, jewelry, soccer jerseys, beer, music, almost anything tartan and, of course, haggis! Plus, all proceeds benefit Caledonia Senior Living & Memory Care, the principal charity of Chicago Scots, the oldest not-for-profit in Illinois.

Festival Hours: Friday 1:00 pm to 10:00 pm and Saturday 9:00 am to 10:00 pm

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

DuPage Event Center & Fairgrounds, North County Farm Road, Wheaton, United States

Concerts, fests, parties, meetups - all the happenings, one place.

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