San Antonio Highland Games and Celtic Music Festival

Good times! Chances are, if you’re reading about this you’re probably already here. It often rains when the festival is on, but these folks just keep doing their thing. It’s well-​run — much better than other similar events I’ve attended.
The food offerings are solid, parking is actually not a nightmare, and it’s a fun, affordable way to spend a day with the family.

We’ve gone to these games for about 4 years. Every year it seems to get better and better.
There are vendors with exciting & fun Scottish and Irish fare. There are food vendors for those that want their Scotch Eggs and Guinness, of course!
There is a bagpipe competition! There are Irish Dancers! There are Celtic musicians that will amaze you!
And for the kids — Moon Walks for those under 7 and a bigger one for those 7 and over. There are games (bean bag toss, etc.) and a painting area to let your little one create their own masterpiece!
EDIT: And somehow — I forgot to include in the first edition all the Scottish Athletics… definitely check those out! Who doesn’t want to see a guy toss a telephone pole, right? And the announcer is usually quite amusing!
And, as of 2012, they also had a woman give a presentation on Scottish foods/​recipes and a HAGGIS eating compeition! Bravo to the one that won that one! :)
$ 10 for admission (as of 2012) and various discounts are available!
All in all — a great day/​weekend for the family!

I could easily be poster child for the phrase «You snooze, you lose»: Dammit, I missed this year’s Highland Games!
This lively two-​day event — held annually at the Helotes Fairgrounds — features all of the cool events mentioned by other reviewers — and then some!
Last year, I attended specifically to hear the music of Celtic band Clandestine (which often plays a venue I frequented when I lived in Houston), but wound up being equally enchanted with the «Scottie» (Scottish dogs) parade, and the information about Scottish clans — since my grandmother hailed from Alloa, Clackmannanshire, Scotland.
Admission is $ 10, with discounts for seniors, military, and children.
This is really great family entertainment. Mark your calendars for the weekend of March 31 and April 1, 2012 — rest assured, I already have!

I totally love the San Antonio Highland Games, been to everyone for the last five years. So much to do — music, shopping, food, the games, or just plain people watching.
I didn’t give it five stars because this year, for some reason, there were random pipe and drum groups marching around playing while other music acts were on stage. Kind of annoying trying to listen to one group when another just sort of mobs over them.
Other than that, more fun than you can shake a bundle of thistles at!

The 11^th Annual Festival in 2010 was host to a myriad of activities including traditional Scottish heavy athletics, Celtic dance and musicperformances, a solo bagpiping competition, geneology information in the Clan Village, children’s activities in the Kid’s Glen, Living History activities and seminars, parade of Scottish dogs, and sheep herding trials. No matter your taste — you will find something to enjoy at the San Antonio Highland Games and Celtic Music Festival.