An annual favorite!
Join us at GCV&M for an annual favorite – the Celtic Faire! From the Scottish Highlands, Emerald Isles, and rugged Welsh coastline to the Genesee Valley, Celtic traditions and roots run deep. Explore this rich culture at our pan-Celtic celebration of heritage music, dance, and authentic food and drink. Shop specialty vendors, see artisan demos, watch exciting Highland games, explore the Historic Village, find out about your family history at the clan booths, explore tartans in the John L. Wehle Gallery, and so much more.
Event sponsor:
Enjoy traditional foods, treats, and craft beverages
From Scotch eggs to historically-based craft beers on tap, the Museum will be bustling with good eats on this festival weekend! Plus, visit the D.B. Munger & Co. Confectionery in the Historic Village to find fresh baked goods made on-site and our Toll House Bread Cart. Don’t miss Sunday’s cooking demonstration and tasting of Galician-style filloas!
Clan Booths
Chat with visiting clan representatives for more information on lineage, geneology, tartan history, and a host of other topics!
- Clan Baird
- Clan Blair
- Family of Bruce International
- Clan Cumming Society of the United States of America
- Daughters of Scotia, Lady Douglas #126
- Clan Ferguson
- House of Gordon
- Clan Hall Society
- Clan Keith
- Clan MacNachtan Association Worldwide
- Clan Menzies
- Clan O’Keefe
- Scottish Heritage Society of the Rochester NY Area
- Clan Sinclair
- Clan Stuart
Take a historical weaponry class!
Join Neutral Chaos founders Jason Paul Tate and Robert Aronowitz for a legendary historical weapons workshop series. Your HEMA and SAFD certified instructors present a seamless blend of intensive combat training, martial arts, and stage craft with the perfect dose of historical accuracy and Celtic mythology. Register today for these one-hour hands-on experiences!
Please note: tickets for historical weaponry workshops are add-ons to your Celtic Faire ticket. Please make sure to also purchase a general admission ticket! Participants must be 16 years or older to take these classes.
SWORD & SHIELD CLASSES
The “Uncivil” Kerns of Ireland are in Arms, 10 – 11 am
Grab your sword & shield and prepare to temper clay with the blood of Englishmen. Lose your civility with us as we stage a never-before-seen battle from Shakespeare’s Henry VI, Part II.
Claideamh & Sgiath, 11:45 am – 12:45 pm
A popular weapon combination for the light infantry in Celtic warfare, this style pairs a cut-and-thrust short sword with a simple shield you can master to deflect blows, deter arrows and even deal skull-rattling blows to opposing forces.
BROADSWORD CLASSES
The Fierceness of Fragarach, 1:15 – 2:15 pm
Said to be the sword of Nuada, the first high king of a supernatural race in Irish mythology, Fragarach was also referred to as “the Answerer,” preventing anyone who found it at their throats from telling a lie. Employ your longsword with the same confidence, demanding answers from anyone who dares to cross blades with you.
Brennos, Bolgios, Broadswords and The Balkans, 3 – 4 pm
In 279 and 278 B.C., the Gauls led multiple invasions into central Greece. While initially successful, they were ultimately quelled by the use of war elephants. Learn to wield the weapon which almost won the Balkan wars but only tickled the ivories.
Heritage Games, Music, Dance & Folklore
Cheer on the Buffalo Heavies, Roc City Gaelic, and Buffalo Fenians Gaelic Athletic Association as they compete in historical Scottish demonstrations of strength, agility, and skill. Don’t miss the:
- Buffalo Heavies Adult Sheaf Toss – try it Sunday at 3 p.m.! ($5)
- Youth Irish football and hurling clinics with both Roc City Gaelic AND Buffalo Fenians GAA at 11:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily
Rock out to the stirring rhythms of A Bit of Irish Street Band and Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann of Rochester. Listen as the campus echoes with the thrum of traditional melodies as played by Celtic Spirit Pipe Band, Feadán Òr, Gates Keystone Club Police Pipes & Drums, and Buffalo Niagara Scotia Society Pipes & Drums. Heart-pounding dance demonstrations by ROCeltic, Rochester Academy of Irish Dance, and Royal Scottish Country Dance Society of Buffalo will keep you on your feet!
Dive into Welsh folklore, dance, music, and culture with the return of Ruthanne Ankney!
John L. Wehle Gallery
"Tartan & Plaid Mania!"
SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 1:30 - 3 p.m.
This curatorial talk traces the history and tradition that is plaid and tartan. How has this fabric taken the world by storm, and how has it changed over the ages? This talk is paired with exciting plaid and tartan items from 19th-century America. Hosted by curator Brandon Brooks in the John L. Wehle Gallery.
Click here to view a list of this season’s Gallery Talks and Programs.
"Celtic History of Tea"
SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 10:45 - 11:45 a.m.
Do you enjoy tea? Was History your favorite subject in school? Join us on a journey through the history of tea, with a particular focus on the modern day Celtic nations and their traditions surrounding the popular beverage. Hosted by Dan Krenzer.
Tea Tasting
SATURDAY, JUNE 10 | 12:15 - 1 p.m.
Take a little break and enjoy a traditional tea tasting. Two types of tea will be available to taste: one traditional hot tea and one iced tea with a modern twist. Hosted by Dan Krenzer.
Specialty Vendors
From delectable Welsh cookies to exquisite knotwork jewelry, and fairy paraphernalia to gorgeous knits, be sure to bring your màileid-pòca (wallet) when exploring our array of specialty vendors!
- Blue Toucan Studios (fairy doors)
- Carriage House Creations
- Celtic Hearth
- ClipClocks
- Country Crafts Custom Woodworking
- Dacian Falx Leatherworks
- Dottie’s Lemonade
- Dragon Moon Creations
- Elder Earth Candles & Woodwork
- European Sheep Skins
- Goblin Parlour Games
- Infamous Welsh Cookie Co.
- JES Designz
- Knapp Farms
- Lazy Acres Alpacas
- Lilla Rose
- Meliora Crystals & Minerals
- Mostly Celtic Beaded Jewlery
- Rencraft
- Sleeping Satyr
- The Haggis Hut
- The Scottish Store Online
- Thistle Hill Creations
Check back to explore our growing list of vendors.
Ticket Information
Museum Members: FREE
Adults: $23
Seniors (62+): $20
Students (13 – 18): $20
Youth (3 – 12): $17
Children (under 3): FREE
GCV&M Member admission is FREE and guaranteed for this weekend. Click here to learn more about joining the Museum as a Member!
