160th Scottish Highland Gathering & Games
Labor Day Weekend (September 5-6), 2026 at the Alameda County Fairgrounds, Pleasanton
A Bay Area tradition since 1866, California's largest and longest-running Scottish Games celebrates the very best of Scottish competition, culture and entertainment for all the family to enjoy.
Hosted by the Caledonian Club of San Francisco, this year's milestone 160th Scottish Highland Gathering & Games features the 2026 Men’s Scottish Heavy Athletics World Championships, along with the 50th annual U.S. Scottish Heavy Athletics Championships for both men and women.
Other traditional competitions to look out for include Scottish Highland dancing, piping and drumming, soccer competitions, and sheepdog trials. Live entertainment will showcase Scottish folk musicians, Celtic rock bands, Scottish country dancing, living history demonstrations, birds of prey, and Celtic animal exhibitions.
Each day, the Grandstand Show presents the Games’ opening and closing ceremonies, featuring a special guest military band and a guest pipe band. Both guest bands will join in the spectacular closing ceremony along with the iconic Massed Bands, where hundreds of pipers and drummers unite in an unforgettable display to see and hear.
Details on 2026 earlybird ticket sales and Games merchandise with be published shortly. In the interim, please see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for more information.
1868 Games on Sausalito's beachfront
Learn more about The Scottish Games
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Games Merchandise
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
History of our Games
Frequently Asked Questions
History of our Games
With thanks to all our Sponsors
The American Friends of Erskine
Established in 2003 to support Scotland's Erskine Hospital for Scottish Veterans, the American Friends of Erskine is the Caledonian Club of San Francisco's nominated charity. The American Friends of Erskine participated in the 159th annual California Highland Games, also known as the Highland Games in California, to help raise funds for Scotland's veterans. This event, part of the Pleasanton Highland Games, showcases the rich culture and heritage of Scotland while supporting an important cause. Please click the button below to learn more about how the American Friends of Erskine continue to support Scotland's veterans.