By Charlie Pankey | Sierra Rec Magazine | Sierra Rec Now Podcast
This week on the Sierra Rec Now Podcast, we’re taking listeners to the southern gateway of Yosemite National Park, where community spirit, heritage, and mountain adventure come together for something entirely new — the first-ever Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games, happening November 1–2, 2025, in Oakhurst, California.
Festival director Kimberly Vaughan joins host Charlie Pankey to share the story behind this one-of-a-kind fall celebration — an event where Scottish athleticism meets Sierra hospitality, and families can enjoy everything from bagpipes to caber tosses under the crisp autumn skies of the Sierra Nevada foothills.
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A New Fall Tradition in the Sierra
As the weather cools and the last colors of autumn frame the southern entrance to Yosemite, Oakhurst is preparing to host its first Celtic Festival and Highland Games — a two-day event celebrating music, athletics, and cultural heritage in one of California’s most scenic mountain towns.
Vaughan, a longtime local event producer and board member for several Madera and Mariposa County festivals, saw this event as an opportunity to bring people together in a unique way.
“I love bringing community together. I love history, culture, and good food — and events are just a great way to bring all that to life right before your eyes,” said Vaughan. sierra-rec-now_untitled-magic-e…
The festival will feature nine athletic competitions, including the famed caber toss, shot put, and weight throw, organized by Scottish Heavy Athletics. Competitors will come from across the country to earn points in this historic sport — all while proudly wearing traditional kilts.
And since Oakhurst is also known as the bear carving capital of the world, Vaughan and her team couldn’t resist adding a local twist: a “Ca-Bear Toss”, featuring carved wooden bears instead of logs.
Family Fun, Music & Mountain Magic
From Highland dancing and pipe band performances to living-history reenactments and children’s storytelling, the Yosemite Celtic Festival promises something for every generation.
Families can visit a dedicated kids’ zone, meet Miranda the Forest Fairy and her dragon Yosi from Guardians of the Grove, and even earn their own “Guardian of the Grove” certificate by pledging to care for the Sierra’s forests.
“It’s gorgeous right now,” Vaughan said. “We’ve gone through the hot summer, and now it’s time to cool down, get outside, and enjoy some great weather before the snow starts coming.” sierra-rec-now_untitled-magic-e…
Music lovers will find plenty to enjoy as well. The festival lineup includes Tempest, Gaelic Muses, and Celtic Alchemy, along with Western United States Pipe Band Association competitions and performances by local youth groups such as the Mariposa Ukulele Ensemble and the Golden Chain Theatre.
“If you’re a true Celtic traditionalist, you’ll love that we’ve got the Western United States Pipe Band Association doing competitions for bagpiping and drums,” Vaughan explained. “We’ve got some really big names coming to this event.” sierra-rec-now_untitled-magic-e…
🎟️ Learn more at YosemiteCelticFestival.com
📍 Event Dates: November 1–2, 2025
📍 Location: Oakhurst Community Center
Plan Your Trip to Oakhurst and Yosemite This Fall
Visitors coming for the Celtic Festival will find plenty to explore in and around Oakhurst — from Bass Lake to Wawona, and up into Yosemite National Park itself.
Festival events will be held at the Oakhurst Community Center, with easy access from Highway 41 and shuttle service via the Visit Yosemite Madera County Trolley and Bass Lake Shuttle.
Local hotels are offering discounted rates for festival weekend, and nearby lodging ranges from rustic cabins to lakeside resorts. For those who prefer to camp or RV, both Bass Lake and Sierra National Forest provide scenic options close to the festival grounds.
Don’t forget to stop by the Visit Yosemite Madera County Visitor Center on Halloween night for the Oakhurst Scavenger Hunt, a community-wide event with prizes and family fun leading into festival weekend.
Discover More from Sierra Rec
Yosemite Day Hikes: The Hidden Gems of the Valley Loop
Exploring Oakhurst & Mariposa with Visit Yosemite Madera County
How to Plan a Smarter Yosemite Trip in 2025: Podcast Insider Tips
Final Thoughts
The Yosemite Celtic Festival & Highland Games isn’t just a new event — it’s a celebration of mountain life, community, and shared history. As fall wraps the Sierra in color, Oakhurst is ready to show that heritage and hospitality go hand in hand.
Plan your weekend, grab your kilt (or at least your hiking boots), and get ready to Get Your Celt On this November in Oakhurst, California.
