The Celtic Cultural Alliance (CCA) presents the 38th annual “Celtic Classic Highland Games & Festival,” Sept. 26 - 28, Bethlehem.

The Celtic Classic, the largest free Celtic festival in North America, has five stages of world-renowned Celtic entertainers who will fill downtown Bethlehem with the sounds of tin whistles, fiddles and, of course, bagpipes.

Performers representing Scotland and Ireland range from traditional to Celtic rock and fusion.

Crowd favorites include Cassie and Maggie MacDonald, Low Lily, The John Byrne Band, Runa, The Kilmaine Saints, Seamus Kennedy, Gerry Timlin, Dave North Trio and the O’Grady Quinlan Academy of Irish Dance.

In the United States National Highland Games Championship, athletes compete for the title of National Champion in ancient fetes of strength.

“Celtic Classic” kicks off 5:30 p.m. Sept. 26 with “Haggis Bowl 2025” on Highland Field to see who can eat one pound of haggis the fastest.

The “Showing of the Tartan Parade,” expected to be one of the largest ever, steps off from City Hall at 11:30 a.m. Sept. 27. Competing pipe bands, the U.S. Naval Academy Pipe Band, Scottish clans and Freedom High School and Liberty High School marching bands will parade.

The Grade 4 pipe band competition, beginning at 1:30 p.m. Sept. 27, is said to be the largest of the season with bands from as far away as Atlanta participating. Grade 3 will compete at noon Sept. 28.

Celtic Heritage Hollow in the Colonial Industrial Quarter will have activities for children.

Scottish clans will share historical and genealogical information.

The Heritage Stage will have lectures, such as “Welsh Pioneers of Industry & Labor in Eastern Pennsylvania,” presented by the Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor”; “Celtic Lore History & Heritage” by storyteller Kristin Pedemonti; Seamus Kennedy’s children’s performance; music workshops, and Freedom High School’s Celtic Ensemble.

Expected are 50 Celtic merchants with apparel, jewelry and décor from the seven Celtic nations.

Food includes haggis, bridies, bangers and mash, poutine and crab cakes.

Jared Card of ImpExBev at the ticketed whisky classes will provide an in-depth view, and a taste, of special selections.

“Celtic Classic” schedules and information: https://celticfest.org/