Preparations are well underway for the 161st Antigonish Highland Games, set to bring a week of Scottish culture and competition to Columbus Field in Antigonish, Nova Scotia, from July 5 to 12, 2026. The event, organized by the Antigonish Highland Society, is the longest running Highland games outside of Scotland.
Registration for the Tir Nan Og youth competitions opened on June 8 at 10:00 a.m. Children aged 5 to 12 can take part in the July 10 event at Columbus Field, with gates opening at 8 a.m. and activities running from 9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. The program gives young participants a chance to try traditional Scottish events in a fun, supportive setting.
The full festival includes a varied lineup that goes far beyond the competition field. Visitors can expect pipe bands, Highland dancers, ancient Scottish heavy athletics, ceilidhs, and clan gatherings. The week also features the Fiddler’s Fondo bike race, an opening church service, concerts, and cultural workshops. Organizers say the Games rely on hundreds of volunteers each year.
Coming off a banner year, the 160th Games in 2025 were named Event of the Year at the 15th annual Buoy Awards hosted by Coastal NS. President Gerardine MacLean and Operations Manager Dan Cochrane were on hand to accept the honour. Cochrane noted last year’s event drew roughly 3,000 people to Columbus Field on Saturday alone.
The Antigonish Highland Society has been keeping Scottish traditions alive since 1861, and the Games trace their roots back to 1863. Located at the eastern end of Main Street, Columbus Field has been the event’s home since the early 1950s. For many in the region, the Games are both a destination and a tradition, as families plan summer trips around the celebration.
