From Saturday, August 31st to Sunday, September 1st, visit Canmore’s Centennial Park for the biggest Scottish party in the Rockies. The event includes not only the sporting competitions but also piping and drumming competitions, highland dances, and even sheepdog demos. Come see exhibits and entertainment related to Scottish and Celtic culture all weekend long, and sample some traditional food and beverages while you are there.

A Canmore signature summer event, the Highland Games occur annually over Labour Day weekend and receive an average yearly attendance of about 5,000 people. The games are organized and presented by the Malcolm Scottish Society with the goal of preserving Celtic culture by fostering traditional sports, dance, and music. The society also seeks to establish the event as an entertainment and cultural destination.

Canmore could not be a more fitting location for a highland games event, as it is said that the very first highland games in history were held during the 11th century by King Malcolm III Canmore of Scotland. Here in Alberta, the Canmore Highland Games have served as a highlight of the summer in this bustling mountain town since 1991. While centred on highland sports, the festival offers a number of additional cultural opportunities to experience as well.

One such experience is the Taste of the Highlands event, scheduled to be held on Saturday from 5 pm to 11 pm at the Don Garen festival tent. Attendees will be given taste tickets to exchange for delicious food as they taste their way from booth to booth. A cash bar will also be available from 9 pm.

The highlight of the festival, the sporting events themselves, will begin on Sunday at 8 am and last all day until 6 pm at Centennial Park. The games are always thrilling to watch and include events such as weight throw, hammer throw, caber toss, sheaf toss, over the bar, and stone put.

Scotch lovers may want to take a short break from the sporting events to attend a Scotch tasting at the festival tent from 2:30 pm to 3:30 pm. You’ll get to enjoy a unique tasting experience of single malts from a premium and ultra-premium selection.

There will also be a vendors market set up during both days of the festival where you’ll find over 30 different retail booths, clan tents, and non-profit groups. Retail booths will be offering a variety of Celtic and Scottish goods such as highland dress, jewellery, art, toys, novelty items, and piping and drumming supplies, while clan tents will be providing information on Scottish name origins. Market hours are from 8 am to 5 pm.

The Canmore Highland Games draw to a close every year with a Ceilidh, a big Scottish party consisting of dancing, live entertainment, and delicious food. This year’s evening Ceilidh will be held inside the festival tent at Centennial Park from 6 pm to 11 pm on Sunday. Enjoy a night full of entertainment and celebration in the heated venue.

Over the years, the Highland Games have become an important part of the Canmore community, helping to extend the tourist season and bringing more visitors to discover the town. The events are happening rain or shine, so come prepared and get ready to have a good time.