161st Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival on the May long weekend!

The longest continually running Highland Games in North America, the 161st Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival will take on May 18 and May 19 at Topaz Park.

Prior to the Games, on May 11, the Tartan Parade will leave Centennial Square at exactly 11 am and parade down Government Street to the Legislature Grounds. A ceremony will be held where the highland fling will be danced, bagpipers and drummers will perform and the caber will be tossed. The Parade will involve local pipe bands, highland dancers, and heavy event athletes along with many members of local Scottish and Celtic groups.

Once again, the Highland Games will be hosting the International Heavy Events Challenge and Canadian Invitational Drum Major Championship, with a full line-up of current and past world and national champions. Simon Fraser University Pipe Band will attend, so you can witness the best pipe band in North America compete both days! Massed pipe band performances and Highland dancing on both Saturday and Sunday are must-see events.

The 2024 Games will again hold a Saturday Evening Musical Extravaganza in partnership with the Victoria Military Music Festival Society. The participants in this high quality musical show are still being confirmed – visit this website in the new year to find out the schedule and the confirmed performers..

The Victoria Highland Games is a family-focused weekend of Scottish and Celtic arts and culture including pipe band competitions, Scottish Highland dancing competitions, Heavy Events (e.g. caber toss, hammer throw), Scottish country dancing, fiddling performances, Scottish/Celtic and folk music bands, Scottish Clan and genealogy booths and displays, historic military demonstrations and displays, Scottish/Celtic food and merchandise vendors.

For adults 19 and over there is a Single Malt Whisky School and a Wine Tasting School. We are also working on introducing a Gin Tasting School in 2024! There is also an excellent line up of local Celtic bands performing at the Celtic Music Tent. There is a large FREE children’s entertainment area.

Purchase your tickets early and save! Discounted tickets will be available online through Eventbrite in January, 2024 or available for purchase at the Strathcona Liquor Store (919 Douglast Street) in April, 2024 . Tickets are available at the Games gates (cash only but ATMS are present). Children under 12 receive FREE admission! In true Scottish fashion, the Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival takes place rain or shine.

Craigflower Community Centre Opens!

On January 19, 2023 the Victoria Highland Games Association celebrated the opening of its new community centre built on the provincial heritage property of Craigflower Manor.   It features a 4500 square foot main hall, multi-purpose meeting rooms, administrative offices and catering kitchen. The new Centre is round in shape with a unique beam ceiling in the shape of a Celtic Knot and a fully sprung hardwood floor in the main hall.

The cost of the $5.5 million building was supported by both provincial and federal government funding through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program and Canada Community Revitalization Fund. Additional funding was provided by the provincial Heritage Branch, the Victoria Highland Games Association and private donations. The community centre will provide a modern venue that the public can rent for a range of events, including performing arts, musical performances, exhibitions, meetings and weddings.

The attached news release provides more information on the new Centre and the opening ceremonies as well as outlines the substantial support from the federal, provincial, and local municipal governments.

News Release