Payson Scottish Festival & Highland Games
Payson's 42nd annual Scottish Festival brings caber tosses, pipe bands, Highland dancing, clan booths, and Scottish food to Memorial Park — one of only two free-admission Scottish festivals in the western U.S.
The Payson Scottish Festival is one of Utah Valley's most distinctive summer traditions — and, at more than four decades old, one of the longest-running. Held each July at Memorial Park in Payson, it celebrates Scottish heritage with two full days of Highland Games, music, and food, all with free admission. Organizers note it's one of only two free Scottish festivals in the entire western United States.
What to Expect
The heart of the festival is the Highland Games — the heavy-athletics competition where kilted athletes hurl telephone-pole-sized cabers, throw hammers and stones, and toss sheaves for height. Payson's version includes a caber championship and its own "Payson Stones" challenge, and there's a Strongman competition on Friday evening to kick things off.
Around the athletic field you'll find pipe bands, Highland dancers, clan booths representing Scottish families, and a full slate of Scottish food and merchandise vendors. Kids can join their own scaled-down Highland Games, and on Saturday morning the clans gather for opening ceremonies. Bring a chair, find some shade under the park's big trees, and settle in.
2026 Dates & Details
The 42nd annual festival runs Friday, July 10 (about 5–9 p.m.) and Saturday, July 11 (roughly 9 a.m.–6 p.m.) at Memorial Park, 250 South Main Street in Payson. Admission and street parking are free — arrive early on Saturday for the closest spots. Confirm the full schedule at the official festival site.
If you enjoy the kilts and caber tosses, Utah Valley has a second Scottish celebration a few weeks later at the Highland Fling in Highland. And when you're back in Payson in the fall, don't miss Golden Onion Days. For everything else happening this summer, see the Provo events calendar.
Good to know
- ✓ 42nd annual — one of only two free-admission Scottish festivals in the western U.S.
- ✓ Highland Games heavy athletics: caber toss, hammer, stone put, sheaf toss, and the Payson Stones challenge
- ✓ Pipe bands, Highland dancers, clan booths, and Scottish food and merchandise vendors
- ✓ Kids' Highland Games so little ones can compete too
- ✓ Opening ceremonies with clans on Saturday morning; free entry and street parking
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