Antigonish Highland Games

The Antigonish Highland Society was founded in 1861, about 75 years after the Gaels first began arriving on nearby shores. Since then, the Society has sponsored more than 150 Highland Games while supporting the Gaelic language, piping and drumming, Highland dancing, fiddle music and step-dancing, athletics and the Ancient Scottish Heavy Events. It has kept alive or created numerous traditions and events that help to define the character of Antigonish town and county.

Céad mile fáilte – a hundred thousand welcomes – from Antigonish, Nova Scotia! Join us for the Antigonish Highland Games to experience a weekend full of cultural, athletic and musical experiences.

The annual Antigonish Highland Games is your #1 Northern Nova Scotia festival, taking place just 2 hours from Halifax and directly on your way to Cape Breton. With over 150 years of experience under our belt, we guarantee you a fun and authentically Maritime weekend among friends.

The week leading up to the main, event-filled weekend includes events being held throughout Antigonish town and county including ceilidhs, a street fair and the annual kilted golf tournament. Over the weekend, experience events and activities such as:

• heavy event athletic competitions including the famous caber toss
• piping and drumming competitions
• highland dancing competitions
• authentic ceilidhs and evening concerts
• the biggest parade east of Montreal
• a clan tent including a walk through history
• all-age road races
• kids Gaelic-themed track events
• vendors and so much more!