Radford University
Radford Highlanders Festival
Join us Oct. 11, 2025 at 9 a.m.
On the main campus of Radford University
Whether a family’s background is of Scots-Irish origin or of other descent, the day always brings with it an air of excitement and anticipation. There is no place more beautiful than Southwest Virginia in the fall and the Blue Ridge Mountains provide a beautiful back-drop for fall festival.
About the Festival
The Radford Highlanders Festival has grown into one of the most popular tourist destinations in the region. The festival began in the mid-1990s with an approximate crowd of 3,000. Over the past 25 years, the festival has more than tripled in size, and now attracts an estimated crowd of 10,000 people.
2025 Radford Highlanders Festival Music
Each year, the Radford Highlanders Festival brings in musical acts for your listening pleasure! For 2025 we are excited to welcome Tartan Terrors and Ally the Piper.
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Tartan Terrors
Tartan Terrors bring their Celtic Invasion from Toronto, Canada, to festivals and shows across North America, blending the energy of a rock show with humor and stepdance, featuring a distinctive sound and a proud tradition of making Celtic music fun and accessible to any audience.
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Ally the Piper
Ally the Piper is a viral internet sensation, renowned for modernizing the Great Highland bagpipe. She blends classic rock and heavy metal with Celtic influences, captivating audiences worldwide. Supported by legends like Metallica and Iron Maiden, Ally showcases her talent on various traditional instruments and is redefining the bagpipe's place in contemporary music.
Clan and Society Information
The Clan is a concept which dates back to the 12th century, which were extended networks of families who had loyalties to a particular chief. The word clan is derived from the Gaelic 'clann', meaning children.
Today, the Radford Highlanders Festival provides descendants of area clans and society's an opportunity to register and proudly showcase their family's heritage, as well as delight lovers of all ages with heavyweight games, music, entertainment, food and Celtic fun.
Vendor Information
The lawn of Moffett quad will turn into an open-air extravaganza featuring artists, vendors, craftspeople and community organizations. Start holiday shopping early or treat yourself to something special from one of the many vendors with a diverse and interesting set of clothing, accessories, jewelry and crafts.
The day is also a great feast, with assorted foods offered by vendors. Enjoy authentic Scottish fare, classic festival food or American classics, such as pizza and burgers. Savor the delicious food all while marveling at the power of the Scottish athletes participating in the heavyweight games.
