Maryland has a special connection with Celtic heritage – we even have our very own Scotland to prove it! It should come as no surprise, then, that Southern Maryland is home to a Celtic heritage festival dating back to 1976. The aptly named Celtic Festival of Southern Maryland has been a tradition of the small town of St. Leonard for 47 years now, hosted annually by the Celtic Society of Southern Maryland in the gorgeous Jefferson Patterson Park. This is hands-down the perfect way to experience the excitement of all things Celtic, explore the banks of the Patuxent River, and learn a bit about the history of Southern Maryland all at the same time.
Every spring, the Celtic Society of Southern Maryland gathers on the grounds of Jefferson Patterson Park to celebrate the history and culture of the Celts. From Ireland to Wales to Scotland and everywhere in between, you’re sure to find it celebrated here!
I love to wander in nature on a cool spring or autumn day, and Jefferson Patterson Park is a wonderful place to do so. The Patuxent River is home to tons of natural wonder that I for one could spend an entire day exploring.
The museum at the park is packed full of interesting exhibits on a wide variety of topics, from local archaeology to the natural landscapes surrounding the river. It’s definitely worth stopping in while you’re there!
The festival is a massive undertaking, showcasing cultural hallmarks of the Celtic peoples across time. There’s live music from bagpipers, one of my favorite rousing instruments hailing from the Celtic world.
The festival also hosts a highland games tournament. If you’ve ever wanted to see large stones or huge poles being tossed around by buff people in kilts, be sure not to miss this incredible event.
For those with more modern sporting sensibilities, there are also rugby games played in the park. Rugby is a pretty rough-and-tumble game that’s very popular in Scotland, and it can be absolutely fascinating to watch.
The festival celebrates Celtic heritage from the modern to the ancient, and you’ll likely see people dressed in ways that wouldn’t be out of place at a Renaissance festival marching alongside the more modern finery. It’s an incredible way to experience the wide range of Celtic culture all in one excitement-filled day!
