Celtic Day

September 27, 2026

10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Free Event

Close out our summer season and enjoy a rescheduled selection of Celtic Day programming at Fort William Historical Park as part of Ontario Culture Days. 

July 19, 2026

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 a mass band performance by local pipe and drum bands and Highland dancers.

Please note: The weather and air quality the day of the event will impact the activity schedule.

Quick Links

Activities

Entertainment

Artisan Demonstrations

Food & Beverages

Admission - Free

Visitor Information

Quick Links

Mass Band Performance

Activities

Artisan Demonstrations

Entertainment

Food & Beverages

Admission - Free

Visitor Information

Mass Band Performance

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.

Meet the Dancers

Morgan’s School of Highland Dance

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.

Meet the Bands

Macgillivray Pipe Band

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.

The Pipes & Drums of Thunder Bay

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.

Thunder Bay Police Pipe Band

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.

Activities

Explore historic Fort William

Explore the historic site including the Anishinaabe Encampment, Apothecary, Great Hall, Wintering House, Trades Square, and visit with the farm animals. 

Guided Tours

English tours: 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

French tours: 11:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.

Take a guided tour of Fort William led by one of its inhabitants. Guided tours last approximately 1.5 hours.

Great Hall Tea

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.

Axe Throwing

11 a.m. to 12 p.m. | 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.

Wool Waulking

Performances at 12 p.m. and 4 p.m.

Program available all day

Wool waulking is an old piece of Scottish heritage, still practiced in a few pockets of Scotland. “Waulking” is the Anglicized word for finishing woven woolen cloth, or Luaidh in Scots Gaelic (pronounced loo-uy). The cloth is typically tweed, and through waulking, the weave shrinks and becomes softer and more weatherproof. Help us “dry waulk” a bolt of freshly woven tweed from the Isle of Lewis and learn Gaelic folk songs in the process. 

Scottish Music at Fort William

1 to 5 p.m.

Learn about Scottish music from 1815.

Fire a Musket

3 to 4 p.m. | 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.

Food Samples

Sample and learn about traditional Celtic foods.

  • Shortbread cookies
  • Haggis hand pies from Pie.ology (1:15 p.m., while supplies last)

Fort William's Scottish History

Take a deep dive into the Scottish history of Fort William.

Learn Gaelic

Practice Scottish Gaelic and learn about this ancient language with Gillian Mucklow.

Celtic Crafts

Design and colour your own Celtic inspired button with the Thunder Bay Museum and make a Loch Ness Monster with Fort William’s inhabitants.

Scavenger Hunt

Unravel clues to find different clan tartans hidden around the historic site to solve a puzzle.

Little Trading Post

Visit the satellite gift shop on the historic site for handmade items, freezies, and more. You can find more items in the Visitor Centre Trading Post, which is open until 5:30 p.m.

Paddle a Canoe

10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 2:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Explore the historic Kaministiquia River by canoe while voyageurs entertain you with songs and stories.

Bubble Station

Create huge, floating bubbles! See how big they can get.

Kids' Celtic Corner

Inspired by the Highland games, enjoy various hands-on activities.

Entertainment

Sabre and Broadsword Tournament

9 a.m. to 12 p.m. with Superior HEMA

Cheer on fencers as they compete in Superior HEMA’s Sabre and Broadsword Tournament.

Scottish Broadsword Fencing

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.

Address to the Haggis

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).

Pipes, Drums and Dance Performance

2 p.m.

Join us for a spectacular show featuring distinguished pipe and drum bands alongside traditional Celtic dances.

Highland Dancing

Watch performances by dancers from Morgan’s School of Highland Dance.

Macgillivary Pipe Band

Watch and listen to a solo performance by the Macgillivary Pipe Band.

The Thunder Bay Pipes & Drums

Watch and listen to a solo performance by The Thunder Bay Pipes and Drums.

Thunder Bay Police Pipe Band

Watch and listen to a solo performance by the Thunder Bay Police Pipe Band.

Artisan Demonstrations

Coopering

Discover the ancient art of coopering. Watch and learn as craftsmen demonstrate how wooden barrels were traditionally made; an enduring skill deeply rooted in Celtic history and culture.

 

Tinsmithing

Watch Fort William’s Tinsmith create a Celtic-inspired tin lantern.

Thunder Bay Weavers & Spinners Guild

The Thunder Bay Weavers and Spinners Guild will be demonstrating their historical talents. Visitors can purchase their handmade items on location.

Food and Beverages

Great Hall Tea

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.

Haggis Hand Pies

1:15 p.m. | From Pie.ology

Interested in sampling haggis? These haggis hand pies by Pie.ology are the perfect unique treat! (while supplies last)

Cantine Restaurant

Open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Daily, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The Cantine offers a variety of menu items featuring both heritage and contemporary cuisines. Event menu coming soon.

  • Bangers and Mash $16

    Celtic Day Special - House Made Sausage, Mashed Potatoes with Caramelized Onion Gravy

  • Pulled Pork Sandwich $12

    Pineapple slaw and choice of Carolina Gold, Cajun BBQ, or Carolina Glaze

  • Poutine $9

    Cheese curds and house gravy

  • Smoked Brisket Stew $8

    with smoked jalapeno crema

  • Vegan Sausage $8

    with vegan slaw

  • Mac and Cheese $7

    with brown butter ritz

  • Fries $7
  • Smoked Ham Hock and Split Pea Soup $7

    with smoked jalapeno crema and stone bread

  • Kids Hot Dog $5
  • Kids Fries $5
  • Chocolate Bar or Chips $2.75
  • Soft Drinks $2.75

    Coke, Diet Coke, Ginger Ale, Diet Ginger Ale, 7up, Juice

  • Coffee or Tea $2.75
  • Bottled Water $2

Alcoholic Beverages Menu

  • Ontario’s legal drinking age is 19+.
  • You must show valid government-issued photo identification (e.g., driver’s license or passport) to purchase alcohol.
  • Please drink responsibly.
  • Dillon’s Gin Cocktails $7.75

    (355 mL, 5% ABV)

  • Cottage Springs Vodka Soda $7.75

    (355 mL, 5-7% ABV depending on flavour)

  • Lakehead Brewing Co. Light Lager $7.75

    (355 mL, 4% ABV, 17 IBU)

  • Lakehead Brewing Co. IPA $7.75

    (355 mL, 6.5% ABV, 76 IBU)

  • Lakehead Brewing Co. Pilsner $7.75

    (355 mL, 5% ABV, 27 IBU)

  • Dawson Trail Border Run Cream Ale $8.50

    (473 mL, 5% ABV, 17 IBU)

  • Tawse Dry Cider $8.50

    (473 mL, 5% ABV)

  • No Boats on Sundays Peach Cider $9

    (473 mL 5% ABV)

  • Pelee Island Pinot Grigio VQA $10 per glass

    (6 oz glass, 12% ABV)

  • Trius Cabernet Sauvignon VQA $14 per glass

    (6 oz glass, 13% ABV)

Visitor Information

Admission Fees

Admission to this event is free.

What to Bring

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.

Getting Here

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.

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.

  • Activities are offered in English, unless otherwise noted.
  • Activity schedule may change or be cancelled without notice.