162nd VICTORIA HIGHLAND GAMES & CELTIC FESTIVAL

Start: Saturday, May 17, 2025 8:00AM
End: Sunday, May 18, 2025 7:00PM

The Victoria Highland Games brings more than kilts, bagpipes and muscle to Topaz Park this May long weekend! The 162 Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival is the longest continually running Highland Games in North America and has something for everyone! This unique 2-day event kicks off at 8am on May 17th with the official opening ceremonies at 12 noon on the Main Stage, followed by a full line up of Scottish Highland dancing, pipe bands, an international drum major competition and of course, a crowd favourite, the men's and women's International Heavy Event Competition. Here are some of the highlights in no particular order: -Enjoy the stirring melodies of pipes and drums as the best in North America compete for the top prize in the International Pipes and Drum Majors Competition featuring the World Champion SFU Pipe Band Drum Corps. And for the first time, a Youth Pipe Band from Victoria will be competing in the Invitational Competition, with some participants as young as 7 or 8. -Always a crowd favourite, the Men's and Women's Heavy Event Challenge tests both strength and power. Amateurs compete in the mornings followed by Men's and Women's Heavy Event Competitions that include the Sheaf Toss, Stone Put, Hammer Throw, Weight for Distance and of course the thrilling Caber Toss! Heavy Events have been contested at Highland Games for centuries. This year promises to be extra exciting with a top class competitor coming from Europe. -Highland Dance competitions take place on the main stage all day with dancers of all ages from different parts of the island and lower mainland. -There is also a Sailor's Hornpipe Dance Competition. The Sailor's Hornpipe dance is originally a Celtic dance and is now one of Scotland's National dances traditionally played on a hornpipe. -There's a Hurling Tournament that takes place in the lower field over both days. Hurling is an ancient Gaelic sport, believed to have been brought to Ireland by the Celts around 1200 BC. It is played with a stick and ball and is considered to be the fastest grass field sport in the World and can be described as a combination of Field Lacrosse, Field Hockey and Rugby. It's pretty crazy to watch if you've never seen it. -There are several interesting workshops going on daily in the Heritage Hub where you can learn the history of the kilt, research your own Canadian/Scottish roots, find your family tartan, or learn some Scottish Country dancing as well as checking out the many historic military displays and demonstrations. -A fully armoured, historically dressed, Medieval combat group of men and women, will be demonstrating the sport of Buhrutm, using blunted weapons of course! -The Celtic Music tent is where traditional and contemporary music intertwine. Take in back to back performances of live music from a variety of BC bands who play everything from sing-a-long Irish Pub songs akin to being at an East Coast kitchen party, to traditional Scottish and English tunes and high energy Celtic punk rock'n'roll. Some of the bands performing include The Hounds of Cuchulain, The McGullicuddy's, Blackthorn, Cookeilidh, Tom Morrissey, Joe Higgins and more. -There are Wine Tasting Seminars as well as Food and Whiskey Pairing Sessions (Must be 19 or over and pre-registration/payment is required for these as seating is limited) Food trucks and BC brews from Lighthouse Brewery as well as non-alcoholic choices are on hand. For more information visit www.victoriahighlandgames.com. Purchase your tickets early and save! Discounted tickets will be available online through Eventbrite or available for purchase at the Strathcona Liquor Store (919 Douglas Street) in April, 2025. Tickets are available at the Games gates (cash, debit and credit cards accepted). Children under 12 receive FREE admission! In true Scottish fashion, the Victoria Highland Games & Celtic Festival takes place rain or shine.