163rd Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival on the May long weekend!

The longest continually running Highland Games in North America, the 163rd Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival will be held over the period of May 9 to 17, 2026.

Prior to the Games, on May 9, 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.

The VHGA Board is excited to confirm that the 2026 festival will host the Scottish Highland Games Women’s World Championship, the first time held in Canada!

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.