In a few short weeks, the village of Maxville will turn into a city of 25,000 when the Glengarry Highland Games returns on Friday, July 31 and August 1, 2026. Known far and wide as one of the largest and best Celtic events in North America, this year’s Games has another fantastic lineup to attract fans of all ages. Whether you’re coming for the sports competitions, the best in Celtic music, the heavy events, highland dancing, the fiddling or the traditions of the Scottish heritage, there is something for you at the Games.
A near record number of fifty-three pipe bands from across North America will compete on Saturday while an additional eleven bands from across Eastern Ontario will perform in the Friday night Tattoo. The Tattoo rivals any summer festival for music, colour and excitement and welcomes award-winning Celtic band, Rum Ragged, from Newfoundland as the evening’s headliner. The night is capped off with a spectacular fireworks display.
Everyone will want to be at the official ceremonies on Saturday at noon when Glengarry favourite, Kelli Trottier, a North American Fiddler’s Hall of Fame inductee and member of the Glengarry Celtic Music Hall of Fame, will be welcomed as this year’s Guest of Honour.
This year also features a tribute to the Royal Canadian Legions on their 100th Anniversary. Five local Legion branches will be participating in events during the Games and welcome visitors to their display booths near the Clan Buildings.
Scottish fiddle is alive and well at the Games. Enjoy Glengarry’s own brand of fiddling at Friday afternoon’s Youth workshop and the massed fiddlers on Friday evening. Saturday is a full day of fiddling with workshops and performances led by guest fiddler, Koryne (Fraser) MacDonald, originally from nearby Sainte-Anne-de Prescott and now Mabou, Cape Breton.
For the younger set, there is lots to do with a Wee Bairns area offering entertainment, games and activities plus a petting farm and pony rides. Parental supervision is required. Junior heavyweight competitions and track and field events are also available for young athletes.
There’s even more to enjoy with the kilt run, the military tug of war, the British Car Show, the whisky tasting and the best shopping for all things Scottish and more, and of course, haggis.
Whether you’re looking for a sports competition, a music festival, a memorable family outing or an experience like no other, make your way to Maxville at the end of July and discover for yourself why everyone says, there is Nothing Quite Like It.
Get all the information you need to attend the Glengarry Highland Games at glengarryhighlandgames.com, or Facebook.
