WILMINGTON — The sounds of bagpipes, the strength of Highland athletes, and the spirit of Scotland will once again fill the air as the 5th Annual Port City Highland Games returns to Wilmington on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
Presented as a charitable event benefiting paws4vets, a program of paws4people Foundation, the Port City Highland Games has quickly grown into one of the largest celebrations of Scottish heritage in Southeastern North Carolina.
The day-long festival will feature Highland athletics, piping and drumming, Scottish clans, Celtic music and dance, heritage organizations, food and drink, vendors and artisans, and the popular British Motor Club of the Cape Fear Car Show.
Organizers expect more than 1,500 attendees from across the Carolinas and beyond.
“The Port City Highland Games is about more than competition,” Catherine Fort, President of the Scottish Society of Wilmington, said in a press release. “It is a celebration of culture, history, music, storytelling, and community. We are especially proud that this event also supports veterans through paws4vets.”
Founded in 2022 with just a handful of clan tents, the games has expanded significantly in both attendance and participation. This year’s event will include more than two dozen clans and Scottish organizations, along with regional pipe bands, Highland dancers, and championship-level athletic competition coordinated in partnership with the Southeastern Highland Athletic Group.
The games also highlight the deep Scottish roots of the Lower Cape Fear region. Beginning with the arrival of Highland Scots in the 18th century, Scottish immigrants helped shape the history, culture, and identity of North Carolina — a story organizers hope attendees will discover throughout the festival grounds.
Port City Highland Games will take place on May 30, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 3600 Randall Parkway. Tickets, vendor information, volunteer opportunities, and additional event details are available at the Port City Highland Games website.
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