NSW’s festival calendar is packed with exciting events this spring, from lively new street celebrations to huge floral festivals. Adding to the list is a brand-new event bringing a taste of Scotland to the city’s north-west, complete with traditional music, colourful performances and plenty of family-friendly entertainment. The inaugural Great Sydney Highland Fair is set to transform the Hawkesbury Showground into a celebration of Scottish culture, bringing together musicians, dancers and visitors for a full day of festivities. Organised by the Governor Macquarie Memorial Pipe Band, the event will also feature a Halloween celebration after dark, giving visitors another reason to stick around. Here’s what to expect.
The Great Sydney Highland Fair launches this weekend
The fair’s main attractions include competitive bagpiping and drumming, with some of the state’s finest musicians taking part. Visitors can also enjoy performances by massed pipe bands, alongside traditional Highland and Irish dancing.
Beyond the music, the program includes plenty of Highland-focused events, featuring traditional tests of strength, as well as sword-fighting demonstrations by the Staccato School of Defence. Celtic and Highland market stalls will offer specialty goods, while food trucks and other vendors will provide plenty of hearty and traditional options for lunch and dinner.
There’s plenty for families too with carnival rides, children’s running races and other activities taking place throughout the afternoon. As evening approaches, the celebrations will shift towards a Celtic-themed Halloween party for fans of all things horror.
Key details
- Event: The Great Sydney Highland Fair
- Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
- Time: 12pm–9pm
- Location: Hawkesbury Showground, Clarendon, NSW
- Entry fee: $25 for adults (18+); $15 for under-18s
- Highlights: Highland games, bagpipe performances, Celtic markets, food trucks and Halloween celebrations
Getting there
Hawkesbury Showground is in Clarendon, around an hour’s drive north-west of Sydney CBD, depending on traffic. Drivers can access the venue via Racecourse Road, with parking available on-site. For public transport, take a train on the T1 Western Line to Blacktown or Schofields and change to a service towards Richmond. Get off at Clarendon Station, which is a short walk from the showground. Plan your trip on Transport for NSW.
