LEXINGTON, Ky. — For today’s Good Question, Jim asks: Lexington celebrates St. Patrick’s Day with a festival and parade. Is there a Tartan Day to celebrate Scottish Americans, as there is in NYC in April?
Lexington does not have an official Tartan Day celebration.
St. Patrick’s Day has been celebrated for more than a thousand years, giving it a significant head start over Tartan Day. The city says its St. Patrick’s parade is the longest-running citywide civic event in Lexington. That parade is scheduled for March 14.
A few weeks later, a parade celebrating Scottish history will take place in New York City.
Tartan Day in the U.S.
Tartan Day was established in Canada in the early 1990s as a way to celebrate Scottish heritage. In 1998, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution officially designating April 6 as National Tartan Day to recognize the contributions of Scottish Americans.
New York City dedicates an entire week to the celebration, culminating with a parade on April 11.
Closer to home
If you’re looking for a celebration a little closer to home, the 2026 Central Kentucky Celtic Festival & Highland Games are scheduled for Sept. 19-20 at the Kentucky Renaissance Fair in Eminence, Ky.
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