NEVADA CITY, CA — A joyful evening of music, dance, and community celebration returns to Pioneer Park on Saturday, June 20, as internationally renowned Scottish fiddler Alasdair Fraser and the acclaimed Sierra Fiddle Camp present the annual “Ceilidh in the Park” picnic concert.
Set beneath the tall pines at Pioneer Park in Nevada City, the beloved outdoor event brings together world-class traditional musicians, dancers, campers, families, and music lovers for an energetic celebration of Celtic and roots music traditions. “Ceilidh” (pronounced KAY-lee) is a Gaelic term meaning a festive social gathering filled with music, storytelling, and dancing — and this annual Nevada City tradition captures that spirit in full.
The concert is the public celebration of the week-long Sierra Fiddle Camp, directed by Fraser, one of the world’s leading ambassadors of Scottish fiddle music. Since its founding in 2006, Alasdair Fraser’s Sierra Fiddle Camp has drawn musicians of all ages and skill levels from across the globe for an immersive week of music, collaboration, and community in the Sierra foothills.
The 2026 Sierra Fiddle Camp faculty includes celebrated artists from Scotland, Scandinavia, and the United States, featuring fiddle, cello, guitar, mandolin, piano, dance, and vocal traditions. Throughout the week, campers participate in classes, jam sessions, dances, and community gatherings that culminate in this vibrant public concert.
Alasdair Fraser’s influence on contemporary Celtic music is profound. Widely celebrated for his expressive playing, innovative collaborations, and passionate teaching, he has inspired generations of musicians through concerts, recordings, and educational programs in California, Scotland, Spain, and Australia. His ability to blend deep respect for tradition with fresh creative energy has made him one of the most beloved figures in traditional music worldwide.
From Scotland’s Orkney Islands, fiddler Louise Bichan brings a deeply expressive style rooted in the rich cultural traditions of the northern isles. Now based in the United States, Bichan is celebrated for blending traditional Scottish fiddle music with contemporary composition and storytelling.
Representing the vibrant musical crossroads of Castille and Celtic traditions are Galen Fraser and María San Miguel, whose work reflects the long cultural conversation between Spanish and Celtic music. Drawing inspiration from the rhythms, melodies, and improvisational spirit of both traditions, San Miguel Fraser contributes a distinctive energy to the festival’s global celebration of folk music.
From Sweden, award-winning fiddler Lena Jonsson is one of Scandinavia’s most exciting contemporary musicians. Known for combining traditional Swedish fiddle music with influences from rock, jazz, bluegrass, and American old-time music, Jonsson has emerged as an internationally recognized innovator on the folk scene.
Audience members are encouraged to bring picnic dinners, blankets, and lawn chairs and enjoy an unforgettable summer evening in one of Nevada City’s most scenic gathering places. Dancing is encouraged, and the atmosphere is family-friendly, welcoming everyone from longtime folk music enthusiasts to first-time listeners.
Together, these artists embody the spirit of Sierra Fiddle Camp — a gathering where musical traditions from around the world meet, evolve, and come alive through collaboration, community, and live performance.
The “Ceilidh in the Park” takes place Saturday, June 20, 2026 at Pioneer Park in Nevada City. Concert time is 7:30 PM. Donations to Scottish Fiddlers of California are encouraged.
Suggested Donation: $20, $10 children 10 and under
For additional information, visit:
https://www.stringsconcerts.com/alasdair-frasers-ceilidh-in-the-park-2026/
and
https://www.sierrafiddlecamp.org/concert-info/