Celtic Day
August 24, 2025
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free Event
Join us for a Celtic celebration of culture, music, dance, hands-on activities, and great food! Featuring local pipe and drum bands, Highland dancers, and more.
10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Free Event
Join us for a Celtic celebration of culture, music, dance, hands-on activities, and great food! Featuring local pipe and drum bands, Highland dancers, and more.
2 p.m.
Join us for a spectacular show featuring three distinguished pipe and drum bands, as they unite for an unforgettable mass band performance. Adding to the spectacle, Morgan’s School of Highland Dance will grace the stage with their traditional Celtic dances. Come witness an incredible demonstration of Celtic heritage, skill, and passion for the pipes and drums.
Thunder Bay’s first Highland dance school, Morgan’s School of Highland Dancing, was founded by Wendy Morgan in 1979. Wendy has passed the torch to her daughter Heather Morgan (Highland and National member of the British Association of Teachers of Dancing), who teaches and oversees classes with dancers as young as 2 years old to adults.
Founded in 1917, the Macgillivray Pipe Band is one of the oldest private pipe bands in North America. They have performed with the Barenaked Ladies and in the Rose Bowl Parade and have earned many awards for their talents.
Established in 1912, the Pipes and Drums of Thunder Bay is one of the oldest pipe bands in Canada. Originally named the Fort William Pipe Band, the band changed its name in 1970 to mirror the amalgamation of Fort William and Port Arthur into Thunder Bay.
Formed in fall 1984 and performed its first show in November 1985, the band is comprised of dedicated and talented volunteers of various ages and ethnic backgrounds.
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Enjoy tea served in the Great Hall, including tea, shortbread and other tasty treats. Entry is by donation to the United Way.
11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Put your physics and engineering skills to the test by preparing an egg to be dropped from the top of the Observatory Tower! Eggs that survive the drop and hit the target will be awarded a small prize.
Program available all day
Performances at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.
Wool waulking is an old piece of Scottish heritage, still practiced in a few pockets of Scotland. “Waulking” is the Scots Gaelic word for finishing woven woollen cloth, typically tweed, so the weave shrinks and becomes softer and more weatherproof. Help us waulk a bolt of freshly woven tweed from the Isle of Lewis and learn Gaelic folk songs in the process.
Ages 12+
Try your hand at throwing a trade axe! Voyageurs and tradesmen spend their leisure time trying to best one another in this game of precision and skill.
Ages 12+
Fire a fur trade era musket! Firearms were an important trade item in 1815. Learn the skills you’ll need to use a fur trade era musket to hunt for your food.
Inspired by Celtic traditions and games, enjoy various hands-on activities.
Create Celtic-themed crafts provided by the Thunder Bay Museum.
Using clues provided in English explore the historic site to find the associated Gaelic word.
Explore the historic site and visit the Anishinaabe Encampment, Apothecary, Great Hall, Wintering House, Trades Square, and Dairy, and visit with the farm animals.
12:30 to 1 p.m. with Superior HEMA
Witness skilled local fencers engage in a spirited duel, showcasing the artistry and precision of this ancient tradition.
1 to 1:15 p.m.
Experience the tradition of “Address to a Haggis” brought to life on our main stage! Join us for a stirring reading of Robbie Burns’ famous ode, celebrating Scotland’s culinary heritage and poetic prowess. Afterward, haggis hand pie samples will be offered to interested guests (while supplies last).
2:35 p.m., 3:05 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
Watch performances by dancers from Morgan’s School of Highland Dance.
2:50 p.m.
Watch and listen to a solo performance by the Macgillivary Pipe Band.
3:15 p.m.
Watch and listen to a solo performance by The Thunder Bay Pipes and Drums.
3:45 p.m.
Watch and listen to a solo performance by the Thunder Bay Police Pipes and Drums.
Pineapple slaw and choice of Carolina Gold, Cajun BBQ, or Carolina Glaze
House smoked chili, cheddar cheese, pineapple slaw and crispy onions
with smoked jalapeno crema
with vegan slaw
Cheese curds and house gravy
Coke, Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, Diet Ginger Ale, 7up, Juice
10:30 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Enjoy tea served in the Great Hall, including tea, shortbread and other tasty treats. Entry is by donation to the United Way.
1:15 to 2 p.m. from Pie.ology
Interested in sampling haggis? These haggis hand pies by Pie.ology are the perfect unique treat! (while supplies last)
Admission to this event is free.
Weather-appropriate clothing, bug spray, sunscreen: This is an all-weather program and takes place indoors and outdoors.
Cash: There are no ATMs available on site.
Car: Fort William Historical Park is located at 1350 King Road, Thunder Bay. Parking is free.
Bicycle: Cyclists are welcome. Bike racks are available to use free of charge.
Thunder Bay Transit: Fort William Historical Park is accessible by the 4 Neebing bus route. Please visit the City of Thunder Bay Transit website for specific bus route information.
Boats & River Access: Boats cannot dock at events. There is no admissions entrance via the Kaministiquia River.
RVs: Camping is permitted at our campground with a reservation. RVs are not permitted in the parking lot for overnight stays.