Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival

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Cultural & TraditionalMount Dora
DatesDates TBA · Usually FebruaryCheck locally before booking
Duration3 daysListed event span
Crowd-Public scale varies
Best forLiving tradition, ritual symbolsWhat distinguishes the Mount Dora Scottish
LanguageLocal language; English access variesCurrency: USD
CategoryCultural & TraditionalFestival type
The story

Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival in Mount Dora

Held each February in downtown Mount Dora, this city-sponsored Scottish Highland Festival brings clan societies, historic re-enactors, touring Scottish bands, and traditional Highland games to a Florida lakeside town nicknamed the Festival City. Founded in the mid-2010s, it features Mount Dora's own resident pipes and drums band, which performs locally throughout the year, alongside athletic competitions rooted in centuries-old Scottish tradition.

It adds Celtic heritage depth to Central Florida beyond the major art festivals.
Your trip starts here
What is special

The part that makes it specific.

01

The place changes

What distinguishes the Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival is its unlikely setting: a small, antique-shop-lined lakeside town in central Florida hosting a genuine Highland games weekend, complete with heavy athletics, massed pipe bands, and active clan societies

02

The mystery stays covered

The city itself sponsors the event, a rarity for Highland festivals more commonly run by private Scottish-American cultural organizations

03

The city starts moving

Mount Dora supports a resident pipes and drums band that performs at local events year-round, giving the festival an ongoing civic presence rather than a one-weekend novelty

04

The water draws everyone in

Having marked its tenth anniversary in February 2023, it now draws Scottish bands, musicians, and re-enactment groups well beyond Florida, an unlikely but durable niche for a state better known for citrus and beaches than tartan and bagpipes

Traditions & symbols

The language of the festival.

What moves first

Living ritual

The festival's Highland games

Water and renewal

Living ritual

hammer throw

The sacred route

Living ritual

and other heavy athletics

The local code

Living ritual

descend directly from centuries-old Scottish clan gatherings that tested strength and skill among rival communities

Tradition 5

Living ritual

a tradition carried into the Scottish diaspora across North America

Tradition 6

Living ritual

Clan societies present at the festival maintain genealogical and cultural ties to specific Scottish family names

Tradition 7

Living ritual

offering visitors a direct link to lineage-based Highland tradition rather than generic Celtic theming

Tradition 8

Living ritual

Mount Dora's own pipes and drums band

Before you go

Essential information

When to go

Dates TBA · Usually February

Getting around

Driving from Orlando is typical.

What to wear

Light, breathable clothing suits a mid-February festival in central Florida, when daytime temperatures are typically mild and comfortable but can still turn warm by afternoon. Comfortable...

Safety

Keep valuables light, follow local instructions, and watch how residents use the space before joining in.

Where to stay

Mount Dora

Tickets/cost

Official ticket link is available. Confirm access rules before booking.

Language/currency

USD

Family friendly

unknown

Interactive map28.80 N, 81.64 WOpen in Google Maps

Mount Dora, FL

TransportDriving from Orlando is typical.
Stay areaMount Dora

Your Trip Starts Here

External travel services to turn the plan into a trip — each opens in a new tab.

How to get thereRoutes, times and prices to Mount Dora via local transport.Search routesFind a place to stayStays near Mount Dora, close enough for the event-day route.Browse staysFind flightsCompare fares into the nearest practical airport for February.Compare faresFestival gearLight, breathable clothing suits a mid-February festival in central Florida, when daytime temperatures are typically mild and comfortable but can still turn warm by afternoon. Comfortable shoes are essential for walking downtown streets and open festival grounds, and attendees wanting to lean into the theme often wear tartan, clan colors, or Scottish-inspired accessories, though it is entirely optional.Shop the kitCheck visa requirementsSee whether you need a visa for United States and apply online.Check entry rulesTravel insuranceCover for trip hiccups, gear and health on the road.Get covered

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FAQ

Quick answers.

When is Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival?

Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival is listed for Past edition: 20–22 February 2026. Always re-check the official or local source close to travel.

Where does Mount Dora Scottish Highland Festival take place?

The festival is listed in Mount Dora, United States. The map coordinate is a planning reference, not a guarantee of a ticket gate or exact venue.

How long should I plan for?

3 days is the listed festival span. Add time for arrival, local transport, queues, and any route changes during the event.

Is a source linked?

Official source linked. Eventisimus separates source confidence from travel suggestions, so check final details before booking.

Where exactly is it?

Mount Dora, FL

Is it family friendly?

unknown

Sources and editorial review

About this guide

This guide is independently written by Eventisimus using publicly available information, official event and organiser sources where available, local tourism references, and additional editorial research. Eventisimus is not the official organiser of this festival and is not affiliated with it unless explicitly stated.

Festival dates, schedules, ticket conditions, access rules, and local arrangements can change. We aim to present useful and accurate information, but travelers should confirm important details with the official event source before booking transport, accommodation, or tickets.

Found something inaccurate or outdated? Email hello@eventisimus.com with the festival page link and the correction.

Official URLmountdora.gov
Organizer accessAre you the organizer? Claim this listing →
SourceSource link available
Listed datesDates TBA · Usually February
Source statusOfficial source linked
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