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Scottish, Irish & Welsh Food Galore at 30th Annual Tucson Celtic Festival Nov. 4 – 6

Scottish, Irish & Welsh Food Galore at 30th Annual Tucson Celtic Festival Nov. 4 – 6

Oct 24, 20163 min read
What
Tucson Celtic Festival
When
6 p.m. – 10 p.m., Fri., Nov. 4
9 a.m. – 10 p.m., Sat. & Sun., Nov. 5 & 6
Where
Rillito Race Track
4502 N. 1st Ave.
More Info
tucsoncelticfestival.org

The 30th annual Celtic Festival is back in Tucson this year on November 5 and 6, with Pirate Pub Night kicking off the weekend on Friday, November 4.

The Celtic Festival is a family friendly event that celebrates the culture of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The festival includes a full entertainment schedule, shopping, and competitions. But what’s a festival without food, right?

Event attendees will have the opportunity to explore the wonders of Celtic food, including:

  • Haggis made from quality Highland cattle from a Kansas farm
  • Scottish shepherd’s pie
  • Steak bridies
  • Bangers and mash
  • Classic fish and chips
  • Welsh cakes

Fifteen food vendors will be present at the event, including the Scottish Pie Shop from Albuquerque, Oz Highland Farms from Kansas, and the Welsh Baker, who sells out of his Welsh cakes at the Celtic Festival every year.

And of course, you can’t forget about the drinks.

The Celtic Festival will feature a Welsh Tea Room with a “Welsh Tea Experience,” and The Village Pub will offer whisky tastings and various Celtic brews including Kilt Lifter, Donny Brooks Oatmeal Stout, wine, mead, and single malt scotch. The festival will also offer its own whisky tasting tent.

Scottish Steak Pie from The Scottish Pie Shop (Photo credit: The Scottish Pie Shop)
Scottish Steak Pie from The Scottish Pie Shop (Photo credit: The Scottish Pie Shop)

The three-day event kicks off Friday, November 4 with Pirate Pub Night from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Tickets for Pirate Pub Night are $5. Children 5 and under are free.

Guests are encouraged to attend the Friday night event in pirate attire. Pirate Pub Night will consist of a Best Legs in a Kilt contest, games, a scavenger hunt, a fortune teller, a Scottish clan torchlight ceremony, live music, and food and beer.

Proceeds from Friday night’s sales will go towards Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse.

The festival will then continue on Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. In addition to food and drinks, the festival will feature a caber toss, bagpipes, Youth Highland Games, Scottish dances, Irish dances, heritage and cultural booths, games, crafts, and a kid’s area.

The biggest event is the Highland Games for adults, which is a test of strength and athletic ability.

Performances for the festival include The Angry Brians, Celtica, Out of Kilters, Aris, Cirque Roots, and Puca, Cockswain, Muriel of Skye, and local Arizona Pipe Bands.

Tickets for Saturday and Sunday range in price. One-day general admission tickets are priced at $16 for adults, $5 for kids 5 – 15 years old. The festival also offers discounted prices for students, seniors, and the military.

Two-day general admission is priced at $22.

And for those who wish to bring donations to Emerge! Center Against Domestic Abuse, one-day general admission tickets will be priced at $14 instead of $16.

Donation requests include hair conditioner, hair brushes, razors, baby wipes, and diapers.

For more information, visit tucsoncelticfestival.org. To purchase tickets, visit the Tucson Celtic Festival on Ticketleap

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Article written by:

Gloria Knott

Gloria Knott

More about Gloria
Gloria Knott was Tucson Foodie's 2016 journalism and social media intern. In October 2025, she founded Tucson Love Letter, a community-first publication that helps you explore the magic of Tucson.

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The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org.

Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉

Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com

#tucsonaz #tucsonnewsJosé Contreras, chef and owner of @Ameliastucson, is headed to New York City to cook alongside chef Alam Méndez of Washington, D.C.‘s Apapacho Taqueria for a collaborative dinner at the James Beard Foundation’s Platform at Pier 57. The Aug. 11 dinner will celebrate the culinary traditions of Sonora and Oaxaca through a multi course menu centered on heirloom corn, traditional masa, and coastal flavors. Guests will also enjoy a cocktail reception, Mijenta Tequila pairings, and a Q&A with both chefs. The event begins at 6:30 pm at @Pier57.nyc. Tickets are $210 for dining table seats and $250 for the chef’s counter, and are available now at Jamesbeard.org. Congratulations to @Chefjosetucson on another incredible milestone!🎉 Read @Jackie_tran_’s article on Tucsonfoodie.com #tucsonaz #tucsonnewsItalian Week starts today, and we’re sharing this sweet video of @Spaghettioftucson doing what she did best: bringing smiles to everyone around her.

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More details in bio!Italian Week starts today and runs through July 19 as part of 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer!🍝 Support Tucson’s classic and modern Italian restaurants, then upload your receipt at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and the grand prize at the end of August. 🎉 Week 5 Winners • Libby: $50 North Italia gift card • Keely: America’s Best Mexican Food Festival tickets • arts_primacy_2c: 4 Cool Summer Nights passes • Donita3000: $20 Ghini’s French Caffe gift card • Nancy & Gabriella: $100 Visa gift cards Italian Week Deal: @reneestucson is offering buy one, get one 50% off (equal or lesser value) for dine-in or takeout. Just mention you’re a Tucson Foodie fan. Exclusions apply. 🏆 This Week’s Prizes • $50 @fentonellispizzeria gift card • $100 Visa gift card • $75 @carusositalian gift card • $20 @ghinisfrenchcaffe gift card • $50 @miramontetucson gift card • $50 @localetucson gift card • @desertmuseum passes More details in bio!The Mercado District is one of Tucson’s best places to eat, drink, shop, and stroll, all in one stop.🐶❤️

Home to Mercado San Agustín, the MSA Annex, The Monier, and the upcoming Bautista development, there’s always something new to explore. Grab a bite, browse local shops, enjoy the open-air courtyards (they’re dog-friendly!), or hop on the free Sun Link streetcar, which stops right at the Mercado. 

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Share your favorite stops with us!
More details on Tucsonfoodie.com 

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Whether you’re planning a weekend getaway or just looking for an incredible dinner with Catalina Mountain views, this spot is worth adding to your list. 🌵🌞 

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From July 6 through July 12, upload your receipt from ANY local business at summer.tucsonfoodie.com for a chance to win weekly prizes and earn entries toward the 12 Weeks of Foodie Summer grand prize drawing at the end of August. 🔗 in bio. 

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WEEK 6 WINNERS
Here are the winners from Happy Hour Week:
* Libby wins a $50 gift card to North Italia
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* arts_primacy_2c wins a four-pack of passes to Cool Summer Nights at the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum
* donita3000 wins a $20 gift card to Ghini’s French Caffe
* Nancy wins a $100 Visa gift card
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PRIZES
This week’s prize pool includes:
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* $100 Visa gift card
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Presenting sponsor: @visittucson
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