Highland Games Weekend at Loon: Stay Steps from the Festival at Mountain Club on Loon
You may hear the New Hampshire Highland Games before seeing them.
The first notes of the bagpipes carry across Loon Mountain, soon joined by the beat of drums, applause from the athletic fields and conversations unfolding in accents from near and far. Tartans bring color to the base area, dancers move with remarkable precision, and athletes prepare to test their strength in competitions rooted in centuries of Scottish tradition.
From September 18–20, 2026, the 51st annual New Hampshire Highland Games & Festival transforms Loon Mountain Resort into a three-day celebration of Scottish culture. From our mountainside setting at Mountain Club on Loon, the festival is not a distant event requiring a long commute. It unfolds directly outside, placing our guests close to the music, competitions, demonstrations and pageantry that define the weekend.
Follow the Sound of the Pipes
The festival brings together far more than a single athletic contest. Its program includes pipe bands, live entertainment, Highland dancing, sheepdog trials, cultural demonstrations and massed-band performances. Visitors can also explore seminars devoted to topics such as genealogy and Scottish cooking, browse Vendor Village or participate in introductory activities that make the traditions feel accessible to newcomers.
That range gives the weekend its distinctive rhythm. One hour may be spent watching dancers execute intricate steps in traditional dress. The next may lead to a field where sheepdogs respond to their handlers with impressive speed and control. Families can seek out children’s programming, while curious visitors can try activities such as street curling or stone lifting.
No Scottish ancestry is required to feel part of the occasion. The festival is designed as an open invitation to experience the food, music, sport and stories that have kept these traditions alive across generations.
Watch Strength Become Spectacle
The heavy athletics are among the weekend’s most anticipated sights. These events turn raw strength and practiced technique into outdoor theater as competitors take on traditional challenges before an enthusiastic crowd.
For first-time visitors, the scale can be surprising. The equipment is substantial, the movements are highly technical and every successful attempt carries a sense of ceremony. The crowd falls quiet as an athlete prepares, then responds all at once when the throw is complete.
The athletic fields may deliver some of the festival’s biggest moments, but they are only part of the experience. Music drifts between venues, food and drink add another taste of Scotland, and cultural programs create opportunities to understand the history behind the spectacle. The result is a festival that rewards wandering rather than following one fixed itinerary.
Make Friday Night Part of the Tradition
The celebration continues after the daytime program begins winding down. The 2026 schedule includes the Cracking Ceilidh at Mountain Club on Loon on Friday, September 18, at 7:00 p.m.
Pronounced “kay-lee,” a ceilidh is a social gathering built around music and dancing. This ticketed evening welcomes beginners and guests of all ages, with a caller guiding participants through jigs, reels and group dances such as Strip the Willow. Light refreshments are included, and a cash bar is available. A festival admission ticket is separate from the ceilidh ticket.
Hosting the event within our resort gives the weekend another layer of connection. After spending the day watching Scottish traditions across the festival grounds, guests can become part of one themselves—then return to their accommodations without leaving the mountain.
Step Away Without Going Far
Festival days are exciting, but they are also full. Our accommodations provide a nearby retreat when it is time to exchange the sound of the pipes for a quieter hour.
Our suite collection is designed for couples, families and groups, with select options featuring kitchens and balconies. That flexibility is particularly useful during a multi-day festival. Guests can gather between events, prepare for an early start or simply rest before returning to the celebration.
Staying beside the festival changes the entire weekend. There is no need to separate the day into an event and a commute. You can step away when you need a break, leave an extra layer in the room and remain immersed in the atmosphere from morning through evening.
Trade the Grandstand for the Spa
After a day spent walking between performances, competitions and demonstrations, our Mountain Spa & Wellness Center offers a different way to experience the resort.
A massage can ease tired muscles, while the pool, whirlpool, sauna and steam room create room for unhurried recovery. Fitness facilities and wellness programming are also available for guests who prefer to begin the morning with movement before returning to the festival grounds.
Our on-site dining makes the transition into evening just as easy. Guests can gather over a meal, compare favorite moments from the day and decide which performances or competitions deserve another visit tomorrow. Dining hours can vary seasonally, so checking the current schedule before the stay is recommended.
Highland Games weekend brings a remarkable concentration of music, movement, heritage and community to Loon Mountain. With our accommodations, spa and dining woven directly into the festival setting, Mountain Club on Loon provides more than a convenient place to sleep.
It becomes part of the celebration.