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- 1883 Old Hwy 20
McDade, TX 78650
35 Miles East of Austin
Sherwood Celtic Yuletide Festival
Friday December 12 — Sunday, December 14, 2025
Live Music, Scottish Highland Games, Artisans, Archery, Mead, and Santa!
The Byrne Brothers • SYR • Killian’s Angels • Blaggards • Ed Miller • Earl Grey in the Morning • HUP! • Whiskey on a Sunday • The Yokes • Kris Colt – Black Rose • Shillelagh! • Toasted Clover • Emlyn Drake • Andrew McKee: The Irish Bard • O’Malarkey • Rover’s Way • St. Thomas Alumni Pipes and Drums • Piper Gunn: Bagpiper • Klaus Weiland • Laura Freeman and Friends • Bill Oliver & The Otter Space Band • Hurdy Gurdy Harry • The Roxlovians • Thomas “Doc” Grauzer • Hawk Walk • Santa and Mrs. Claus • Solar Rain Fire Show • Celtic Archery Tournament • Highland Games
Celtic Archery Tournament
Sherwood Celtic Yuletide Festival proudly present the Sherwood Archers!
These renowned masters of the bow travel the country and the world, year round, winning national and world titles and smashing records. Come see these competitive pros in action at the Highland Games Arena. The Sherwood Archers will be competing at the Sherwood Celtic Yuletide Festival both Saturday and Sunday.
Hawk Walk
The Hawk Walk is an exciting add-on interactive event for festival days! The Falconer, and his small tour of no more than 15, walk the grounds flying the hawks from the trees to the gloved fist of each patron in turn while they experience the historical art of falconry. Patrons will enjoy the thrill of a bird of prey interacting with a trusted human companion. And between showings you’ll be able to visit the Royal mews – that’s the Zoo-like area where the birds relax between shows.
Highland Games
Great Scots performing spectacles of strength and skill are guaranteed at the Highland Games Arena! These intense traditional competitions will last all day Saturday and part of the day Sunday. The games include Scottish Hammer Swinging, Shot Put, Weight over the Bar, the crowd favorite Caber Toss, and much more. Competitors of all ages are welcome to join in the fun!
Santa and Mrs. Claus
Santa Claus hasn’t finished his list just yet… No, he and Mrs. Claus heard about the Sherwood Celtic Yuletide Festival and they knew there would be some very special children coming – so to get these kids’ Christmas wishes just right they’ve decided to spend ALL DAY both Saturday and Sunday taking requests from your bairns and wee-‘uns at the Grove Gazebo right near the Front Gate Christmas Tree. Sherwood Photographers will be uploading your portraits online that you can download for FREE. No gimmicks – just freelance photogs who want to share the joy of the season – Sherwood-style.
There are many different live performers including:
St. Thomas Alumni Pipes and Drums
The St. Thomas Alumni Pipe Band is a competitive Grade 1 bagpipe band based in Houston, TX. These are some of the most accomplished and technically advanced pipers in Texas, which means – in the World! These sharp-dressed pipers and drummers will play on Saturday at various locations around the festival grounds including the Highland Games arena, the Elven Hill Stage, and the Lionheart Tavern.
San Antonio Pipes n Drums
The San Antonio Pipes and Drums, a non-profit organization formed in 1986, strive to present traditional bagpipe band music for the enjoyment of both musician and audience. Members wear traditional Scottish attire, each kilt an authentic tartan of the member’s choice so that many clans are represented. Instruments played are the Great Highland Bagpipes and specially tuned drums. The group strives to improve performance and to encourage and assist beginners. They have played for audiences at festivals, weddings, ceremonies, and for dignitaries from the Queen of England to the President of Mexico. Join them Sunday for several rousing performances and marches at various venues.
Piper Gunn: Bagpiper
Playing bagpipes for over 30 years, instrumentalist Piper Gunn brings the sounds of the Scottish Highlands to your ears at Sherwood Celtic Yuletide Festival. Enjoy classic melodies from Scotland and festive Christmas tunes while raising a mug to toast Piper Gunn’s original music as you follow the sound of bagpipes across various stages throughout the festival both Saturday and Sunday. Ever seeking to deepen his knowledge of bagpipes, be sure to ask Piper Gunn about his new piping venture Kenneth Gunn Bagpipes as he learns to build expertly-crafted bagpipes for future pipers and audiences to enjoy!
Laura Freeman and Friends
Romping, Stomping Music for Children of All Ages! Laura Freeman writes and performs music for kids! Fun Folksy melodies with an emphasis on nature and singing together, Laura and her friends are bound for the Faery Forest Stage where they’ll lead sing-alongs both Saturday and Sunday of the festival.
Please visit our website for more details & tickets to Sherwood Celtic Yuletide Festival!
