Throughout the centuries, the tradition and charm behind the music, dance and stories of the Celtic peoples have captivated the world. The contributions of the Irish, Scots Welsh, Cornish, Manx, Bretons, and Galecians/Asturians not only fill libraries and castles but also pubs, homes and our hearts. The Celtic Fling & Highland Games, as an unbridled celebration of Celtic Culture, offers a first-hand tour of these compelling cultures as it salutes both traditional and contemporary Celtic heritage. Delight your senses with the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of this rollicking Celtic celebration. Enjoy traditional pipe bands, modern Celtic rock bands, and everything in between, plus delicious Celtic cuisine, fresh brewed ales, wines, ciders, and more!
Saturday & Sunday, June 22 & 23, Gates Open at 11AM
Plus Friday Kick-Off Concert, June 21 • Gates Open at 5PM
2775 Lebanon Rd. Manheim, PA 17545
Single Day Admission (Valid Saturday OR Sunday)
General Admission: $33.95
Children (5-11): $13.95
Children (4 & Under): Free, No Ticket Required
Two-Day Tickets (Valid Saturday AND Sunday)
Only Available Online
General Admission: $48.95
Children (5-11): $20.95
Children (4 & Under): Free, No Ticket Required
Friday Night Concert Tickets (Valid Friday Only)
General Admission: $29.95
Children (11 & Under): Free, No Ticket Required
Add a Celtic Fling Glass Mug (20oz) to Any Celtic Fling Ticket Order!
$17, Includes First Fill
• Tickets are date specific and must be reserved in advance. There are a limited amount of tickets per date and they may sell out.
• Tickets were available for purchase on the Virtual Box Office.
• Tickets are sold only through this website's Box Office and not through third-party sellers.
• Celtic Fling is a Rain or Shine Event
4:30PM Entry Sunset Celtic Fling Pricing
General Admission: $19.95
Children (5-11): $7.95
Sunset Tickets allow guest to enjoy the remaining 6 hours of the Celtic Fling festivities, including the end of day Ceilidh. Food booths, pour houses and independent vendors begin closing at 8PM at the start of the Ceilidh at the Globe Theater. Vendors in Swashbuckler Grove and The Wharf Bar will remain open until the end of the performance. The Faire site closes at 9:30 PM.
Regardless of the day's ticket sold out status, 4:30PM Entry Sunset Celtic Fling Tickets will go live on the online box office at 3:45PM on Saturday and Sunday, June 24 and 25 at 3:45PM with entry to the Celtic Fling beginning at 4:30PM. The 4:30PM Entry Sunset Celtic Fling Tickets are not available in advance of the actual Celtic Fling date. The Sunset Ticket is valid only at the 2023 Celtic Fling on the date of purchase from 4:30PM-9PM. Sunset Ticket quantities are limited per day. Tickets must be purchased online through the Virtual Box Office and can be shown from a mobile device the day of your visit for entry. NO GATE SALES. Tickets are non-refundable. Children under 5 are admitted free and do not require a ticket.
We are happy to welcome groups to the Celtic Fling at Mount Hope! With unique entertainment/activities, the Celtic Fling is the perfect place to bring your group. Please visit the Group Sales Page for more information (for groups of 15+).
No matter what your age, please be prepared to show proper identification in order to sample from the wineries or consume alcohol. Valid ID includes a state issued driver's license or state issued ID card with photo, a passport, or a United States military identification card with photo. We are unable to accept any foreign driver's license. Note that the identification cannot be expired at the time of the festival.
Tickets prices are listed in the Dates, Times & Tickets Section above as well as on the Virtual Box Officet.
Celtic performers will fill the Shire with music throughout the day from various stages throughout the fairegrounds while Traditional Pipe & Drums setting the stage for a grand weekend! Compete in fabulous contests or watch as others compete in the Annual Highland Games. Step back in time and learn about Celtic styles, traditions, handicrafts and more with the Shire's Living History or stop by the Clans & Societies booths to learn about Celtic influences on American culture. Irish Dancers and Gaelic Sports will fill the Shire and will make your visit an unforgettable experience!
The 25th annual Celtic Fling & Highland Games at Mount Hope kicks off on Friday, June 21 at 5PM with the Celtic Kick-Off Concert—featuring some of our favorite performers! Bring your appetite and enjoy delicious foods and refreshing beers, wines, ciders & spirits while listening to the live music. Gates open at 5PM.
Kick-Off Concert Ticket Pricing:
General Admission: $29.95
Children's Admission (Ages 11 & Under): Free, No Ticket Required
Purchase Your Tickets on the Virtual Box Office!
Globe Stage, 8:30PM
After thirty years as one of the world’s leading Celtic Rock bands, The Young Dubliners have begun work on their tenth studio album while still maintaining their busy tour schedule. With a solid line up, a new batch of songs and the help of their new agency, Skyline, The YD are excited to bring live music back into festivals, theaters and clubs around the world.
In recent years the Young Dubs have appeared twice on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live, had songs featured in TV shows (Sons Of Anarchy, Human Target) and toured extensively as a headliner and as the opener for such a diverse list of artists as Collective Soul, Jethro Tull, Johnny Lang, Los Lobos, Chris Isaak and many more.
Although the Young Dubliners sound is most commonly called ‘Celtic Rock’, that label can often be misleading. The Irish influence is certainly there, but it’s not the only influence that bursts through on their albums or live shows. After all, several of the band members have no Irish roots of any kind. “That was always the idea”, explains Roberts “The sound was intended to be a hybrid because we all come from different backgrounds. Even though I am from Ireland, a lot of the music I listened to growing up wasn’t Irish at all, but when I got here, I got homesick and developed a new appreciation for Irish Music. In truth the Celtic riffs can just as easily come from the American band members. Everyone writes now so you never know what you’ll end up with.”
“Their sound defies categorization. The Young Dubliners can be seen as Ireland's answer to Los Lobos, with a similar combination of traditional folk music, raucous electric rock, and forward-thinking experimentation.” - Allmusic.com
Globe Stage, 7:00PM
Barleyjuice is an internationally known Celtic Rock band from Philadelphia, PA. Formed in 1998, the band has borne seven albums of original and traditional Celtic songs, many of which have seen usage in popular television shows, films, and tons of Celtic radio programs worldwide.
The ayes have it - Barleyjuice is a grand group of talented tunesmiths and prodigious performers, and the absolute best time you can have at a concert without removing your kilt.
Globe Stage, 5:45PM
POEHEMIA delivers the best Celtic Rock! Formed alongside the docks of Baltimore's historic, industrial waterside community POEHEMIA brings a fresh interpretation to traditional and Celtic music.
Consisting of members with national, international touring and recording experience this power house combines top shelf musicianship with a one-of-a-kind stage show. The lads artistically blend traditional and modern instruments that cross generations and appeal to audiences of all ages.
Celtic performers fill the Shire with music throughout the day! All bands will be playing both days of the Celtic Fling unless otherwise noted. Click here to view the Program including weekend Schedule & Map. *All information is subject to change.
Chessboard - 12:00PM, 3:00PM & 6:00PM
Founded in 2005, this Pipes & Drum band has taken the USA by storm. Their unique style, charismatic stage performance, and love for all things Scottish has drawn crowds from coast to coast. Albannach's primal drumming and precise piping stirs the soul of anyone who hears them - young and old! These folks ARE Highlanders! Scottish Warriors to the Core!
O'Malley's - 12:45PM, 3:30PM & 6:30PM
The Celtic Revels — the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire’s very own Celtic house band — returns to the stage! Founding members Jordan Bell and Delaney Hagy team up with fellow PARF alumni Pete Hedberg and Matthew Levy to feature some Faire favorites at Fling! Armed with theatre degrees and an eclectic array of musical instruments, they perform modern folk hits, ren faire bops, and general shenaniganery.
The Hart - 12:30PM, 3:15PM & 6:00PM
Meet the Fitzgeralds — a family group consisting of 3-time Canadian Grandmaster Fiddle and Step Dance champions. They are a rare combination of exceptional musicianship, mind-blowing step dancing, audience interaction, evident love of performing, and genuine sibling connection that resonates with audiences of all ages and sets this group apart.
Ball & Chain - 11:30AM, 2:15PM & 5:15PM
Gaelic Mishap is Maryland's premier Celtic Rock Band. Formed in 2010, this group blends unmatched vocals and iconic fiddling into Celtic rock, shanties, and traditional Irish tunes. Whether young or old, at a festival or in the pub, Gaelic Mishap will "wow" you with their original music while throwing surprises, or "mishaps", into the hits and covers you know and love.
Ball & Chain - 12:45PM, 3:45PM & 6:30PM
Hold Fast is a versatile six-piece band hailing from Harrisburg, PA blending genres of Celtic punk, Irish folk, and pirate rock. Their captivating, high-energy performance transports audiences to places where tales of the sea, songs of whiskey, and lessons on love and life are blended with precise musicianship, creativity, and Celtic pride. Exiles and mutineers all, Hold Fast gets a rebellion started and keeps it going long into the early morning!
Endgame - 11:15AM, 2:00PM & 5:00PM
International touring act House of Hamill is a fixture at festivals across the US, and have shared their music and stories on the country’s premier folk stages. Whether they’re ripping through a set of original jigs and reels, adding lush three-part harmonies into traditional folk ballads, or cracking up an audience with stories from the road, House of Hamill puts on a show that captivates audiences from the very first note.
Boarshead - 11:30AM, 2:15PM & 5:00PM
Kilmaine Saints is a band formed on good whiskey and bad intentions. The brainchild of two members of a Harrisburg Pipe & Drum band, they have continued to pound through blistering, high-energy live sets that keep people singing along, stomping their feet, lifting their pints and shouting for more. This explosive Celtic rock band from central PA will steal your heart, your spirit, and your pint when you're not looking.
The Hart - 11:15AM, 2:00PM & 4:30PM
"If the elves of the forest were having a rave, this is the music they'd be dancing to." Melissa Cox creates ethereal Celtronic soundscapes using looping technology, an arsenal of instruments, and her hauntingly powerful voice to blend Celtic, folk, electronic, trip hop, and World. Delivering spellbinding live performances she pushes the boundaries of Celtic music into the 21st century with feminine ferocity and honest, courageous lyricism
Globe - 12:30PM, 3:15PM & 6:15PM
In 2010, Michael Darcy packed up his songs and guitar, left his home in the green hills of Co. Clare, Ireland and journeyed westward across the Atlantic — to Toronto, Canada. Chasing adventure and devilment he fell in with three like-minded young music makers who would become 'The Atlantic Tramps'. Drawing from the well of rich Irish music that he grew up with and also being inspired by gritty American songwriters, Michael Darcy aims to create a whirlwind of folk traditions — where greengrass meets bluegrass.
Gate Opening - 11AM
Chessboard - 1:30PM & 4:30PM
Formed in 1995 as a military-style pipes and drums band. In honor of a past Pipe Major our uniforms emulate the Black Watch. We enjoy getting together to play the music of Scotland and Ireland and provide Celtic flair to events in our area. We rehearse in Annville, welcome new members, and offer lessons as well.
O'Malley's - 11:30AM, 2:30PM & 5:15PM
Five siblings create a fusion of Celtic and roots music on harp, hammered dulcimer, mandolin, fiddle, and more. Their original music has been featured on both national radio and television, and their six albums have received International recognition in Irish Music Magazine, Roots Magazine, Faith and Family Magazine, and more. Their fresh arrangements of classic Irish songs as well as original music will have you singing and clapping along!
Globe - 11:15AM, 1:45PM & 4:45PM
SYR is a unique Celtic Folk Rock band from Columbia, SC, taking inspiration from Celtic history, stories and myths, to create powerful songs with themes like battle, love, and victory. Front man Kyle MacCallum founded SYR on the belief that the rich heritage of the Celtic Nations and the Gaelic language could be brought to life in a contemporary musical style with broad audience appeal. From humble beginnings at pubs and local venues, SYR's high-energy performance has become a welcome addition to Celtic festivals and events across the US.
Boarshead - 1:00PM, 3:30PM & 6:30PM
Waking Finnegan, dubbed as "critically acclaimed" and "crowed pleasing" by Broadway World, has been performing theatres and festivals around New England and Canada. Waking Finnegan captures an audience with their compelling arrangements as well as visually with their stage presence and high energy antics. This band is guaranteed to be an experience so get your feet on the floor and pint in the air for Waking Finnegan.
You can compete at the Celtic Fling in some of the fun events and competitions listed below. Please Note: Sign ups take place 30 minutes before the start time at the location of the competition. You must sign up prior to the event to participate. Click here to view the Program including weekend Schedule & Map. *All events below are subject to change.
Discovery Garden - 12:00PM • There's nothing cuter than cute kids, except when they're wearing their kilts! All the wee Nipperkins (11 and under) that have donned a kilt for the weekend's festivities are invitied to participate for accolades and great prizes.
Chessboard - 2:15PM • For Highlanders 11 years old and younger, bring your lassies and laddies for the opportunity to try their hands at the Celtic Fling’s Wee Highland Games. They'll test their strength under the Caber Noodle Toss, their agility with the Sheep Toss and their team work with the Tug of War. Everyone is Scottish at the Wee Highland Games and all are winners at the Celtic Fling.
Chessboard - 5:15PM • Strut your stuff or simply root for your favorite as up to 12 kilted competitors strive to earn your admiration, and great prizes too! Open for the first time to anyone who thinks they've got the stuff; see if any of them can go the whole nine yards! If you've got swagger in your pleats or just want a seat, you should join us for what promises to be the wildest Fling contest of the weekend.
The Celtic Fling brings history to life with demonstrations, re-enactments, traditional demonstrations and more! Click here to view the Program including weekend Schedule & Map. *All information subject to change.
Located Near Bosworth Field
Demo, 12:00PM & Tournament, 2:30PM
Bringing the history of archery and its world-wide application to life. We demonstrate not only how English long bows and wood arrows are made, but how and why they were such effective tools and weapons of war. Enjoy archery and long distance archery demonstrations throughout the day.
La Forge, 11:30AM, 2:30PM & 6:30PM
Hand-forged, combat ready Renaissance blades perfect for edge-to-edge stage combat. On-site blacksmith performing live, public demonstrations of forging iron over a 2,500° Fahrenheit fire. The iron will glow, and the water will sizzle! Weaponry also be available for purchase. For more information about La Forge, visit LaForge.site.
Barn & Barrel, 10AM Sunday Only
No ticket necessary for this event—All are welcome to take part in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass presented by The Diocese of Harrisburg. Special thank you to: Deacon Armando Torres (Director for Identity, Culture and Outreach), Fr. Stephen Kelley and Mary-Kate & Peter Lee from Seasons who made this liturgy possible and meaningful. HBGDiocese.org
Dragon's Breath Glassworks, 12:30PM, 3:00PM & 6:00PM
Working with a furnace that can reach 2,000 degrees, the Dragon's Breath Glassworks team creates beautiful and functional glass art right before your eyes. Stop by throughout the day for live demonstrations, or to purchase their affordable, hand-crafted wares. Like them on Facebook.
O'Malley's, 1:45PM & 4:30PM
Join Argyle Douglas, as he weaves comedy and storytelling into a cooking demonstration of Scotland's most famous dish, Haggis. This exhibition features an authentic Scottish "plushie" sheep happily providing authentic "plushie" organs thus enabling everyone to savour the experience without any worries about "nasty bits". It is a Scottish Comedy, Culture, & Cooking show. The only show on the shire with the guarantee that, "You will laugh until you stop". It may happen at other shows, but I guarantee it will happen here.
Endgame, 12:45PM & 3:45PM
Irish dance is a journey, and we encourage our dancers to be positive and goal-oriented as they take steps and leaps forward. The Hooley School believes in helping each dancer achieve their goals and dreams for Irish dance. While each dancer has unique challenges to conquer, they can all achieve success if they are willing to work hard and develop their passion. Learn More
Swashbuckler Stage Throughout the Day
Cathy Jo Smith has been sharing Irish and Irish-American stories, songs and history across the Midwest for almost 20 years. Whether its tales of the Fair Folk or ghosts, stories of magic or medicine, she can surprise and delight audiences of all ages. Learn more about her and the stories she tells at IrishTeller.com.
Swashbuckler Stage Throughout the Day
The Irish Wake is perhaps one of the best known funeral traditions associated with Ireland. AS long as there have been Irish people, there have been wakes—both traditional and "American Emigration." The period between a death and a burial was a time for both mourning loss and celebrating life. Learn more at: IrishTeller.com.
A clan is considered to be a group of families that are affiliated by geography or marriage or political necessity. Celtic folk frequently use the term “clan,” but no specific definition of the term is accepted by all authorities. The word itself is Gaelic for "children" and was also used as an equivalent for "family."
In addition to offering name lists to search through, you’ll be able to explore clan histories and the work the societies are doing. Interesting fundraising merchandise for sale may include baked goods, books, music, T-shirts, kilts and tartan. Stop by and learn more about the programs and plans the clans and societies have for increasing the awareness of Celtic influences on American culture.
You’ll find many clans and societies represented at the Celtic Fling. Look up your surname and become familiar with the worthwhile missions the clans and societies maintain. If your clan is interested in attending the 2024 Celtic Fling & Highland Games, please call 717-665-7021 or click here to fill out the contact form.
11AM-7PM, Joust Arena as Bosworth Field
Saturday, Open Men Comp (Men under 40 with multiple levels of experience)
Sunday, Men Over 40 & Women
Professional competitors are assigned points according to their placement in each Heavy Event. The athlete with the best overall combined performance earns the title "Athlete of the Day." So recognized, the Athlete Of The Day earns an automatic berth in the East Coast Championships in The Plains, VA at Great Meadow Field Event Center. The Athlete is also presented a symbolic Highland Claymore sword.
M.A.S.A. (Mid-Atlantic Scottish Athletics) was founded in 1999 by Heavy Events Athletes and Judges in the Mid-Atlantic region of the eastern United States to organize and promote the Heavy Events. M.A.S.A. is now the official sanctioning organization of the majority of the Heavy Events competitions held in Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Kentucky. If you or your organization would like to find out about having a M.A.S.A. sanctioned Heavy Athletics competition please use the contact information at HeavyEvents.com
Scots have tested their strength against each other at Highland gatherings for centuries. King Malcolm Canmore, who began his reign in 1057, is credited with initiating crude forms of today's Scottish Highland Games athletic competition as a means of improving the abilities of his military. While the games had become festive occasions by the sixteenth century, they were still seen as a way for kings and chiefs to choose the best men for their retinues. Learn more by clicking the event names below.
Don't forget to pick up your official Celtic Fling merchandise during your visit to the grounds of Mount Hope Estate!
20oz Celtic Glass Mug
Available for preorder on the Virtual Box Office. This 20oz Glass Mug features the classic Celtic Fling logo. Quantities limited - don't miss out! $17, Includes First Fill. Directions for picking up glass(es) during the Celtic Fling event will be emailed to purchasers prior to the event dates. Guests must show the glass voucher with their admission ticket when picking up their glass(es).
Official T-Shirt
Commemorate your visit to the 2024 Celtic Fling at Mount Hope with the official T-Shirt featuring all of your favorite musicians appearing at the festival in a fun style on the back. Available for purchase at Informistress or at the Mount Hope Wine Shop. Sizes subject to availability.
A variety of Celtic merchants will join us at the Fling to showcase their unique wares and traditional crafts. All information is subject to change. Please continue to check back as the merchant list is updated.
Interested in becoming a Celtic Fling merchant? Click here for more information!
Handmade Goods with a Fairy/Dragon/Magical Flair
Shire's Bookstore and Historical Library
Stylish Apparel to Celebrate Your Heritage
Assorted Cheese Menu Items
Archery Demonstration and Hand-Made Longbows
Custom Fitted Jewelry, Welded on the Spot
Assorted Candy Goods
Fresh Steak or Chicken Sandwiches
Specializing in Victorian, Steampunk, Renaissance & Fantasy Goods/Clothing
Witchy Creations and Mystical Stoneware
Honey, Honey Accessories, Bee Decor
Upscale Precious Jewels and Pearls
TBD
Make Your Own, Take-Home Wax Hands
Armor and Child Friendly Swords
High Voltage, Wood and Resin Art
Rings, Necklaces, Bracelets, and More
16th Century Apparel for the Fanciful Traveler
Specialty Teas and Tea-Related Gifts
Gems, Rocks, Pendulums & Such
Tarot Card Reading and More
Herbs, Incense & Garden Art
TBD
A set of Horns to Suit Every Personality
Information Booth & Official Celtic Fling Merch
Assorted Flavored Jerky
Handcrafted Cigars and Accessories From Here and Abroad
Once reserved for the courts of kings, now a fun toy for all to enjoy.
Pretzels
Antique Trunks, Maps, Shields & More
Handmade bellydance, renaissance, celtic, steampunk and viking style up cycled clothing
Assorted Pet Supplies & Goods
Jewelry and Unique Gifts
Unique Braids and Twists to Wear Around the Shire
Nonprofit rescue and animal assisted therapy in Reading
Funnel Cake, Peasant Bread, and Lemonade
All Things Piratical
Rides and Games
Premium Ice Cream, Milkshakes
Silver Adornments
Beef, Chicken or Shrimp
Assorted Whistels
Choose a Potion, Make a Keepsake
You Buy It, You Break It! Smash a Variety of Glassware
Enjoy delicious foods from all of our Celtic kitchens throughout the Shire. Experience traditional Celtic favorites, savor a variety of hearty options and indulge in the delectable desserts. Click here to view the Program including weekend Schedule & Map. *All information subject to change.
Please note that all menus are subject to change without notice. All royal kitchens are cash only. No outside food, beverages or coolers are permitted to be brought onto the faire grounds, with the exception of Guests with special dietary needs that have comleted and presented the Visitor Allergen Card to the Customer Service Window at the front gate—Learn more in the FAQ section (under General Information - Q: May I bring my own food/beverage into the Celtic Fling?)
Start your Sunday off right with a hearty and nutritious brunch at the Taproom & Grille, located between the Swashbuckler Brewery and Mount Hope Winery. Be sure to also pick up your first Scotch Egg of the day, or enjoy the Celtic Strata (layered eggs, potato, bacon and cheese), Sausage Gravy & Biscuits, Egg & Veggie Casserole or French Toast Casserole! These delicious meals are sure to wake your taste buds up and get you ready for the final day of the Fling! Select Burnch Cocktails will also be available to purchase inside the Taproom & Grille.
Wash down the delicious Royal Kitchen cuisine with refreshing hand-made products crafted by Swashbuckler Brewing Co., Mount Hope Estate & Winery, Lancaster County Cider and Signature Cockatils by Spirits Distilling Co.! Enjoy them throughout the festival grounds, then stop by the Mount Hope Wine Shop, Spirits Distilling Co. or Taproom & Grille when you leave to take your new favorites home with you! Click here to view the Program including weekend Schedule & Map. *All information subject to change.
Please note that all menus are subject to change without notice. All pourhouses are cash only. ACT 39 of the PLCB allows a PA Limited Winery (LK) to sell liquor produced by a PA limited distillery for on-premises consumption. [47 P.S. § 4469a)(2)]. More Information.
