This day-long celebration of Scottish/Celtic culture and heritage, held annually and echoes the original games that took place centuries ago in Scotland during the reign of King Malcolm III.
The Melbourne Highland Games and Celtic Festival has hosted this event in Melbourne for 59 years. It is one of the highlights of the Scottish Australian calendar and is considered the number one multicultural festival in the City of Maroondah and a major event in the Greater Melbourne area.
This multicultural, inclusive event featuring wonderful music and competitions in dancing and pipe bands and world-class athletic competitors is a must-see outing for everyone. We strive to provide the best of Celtic culture on public display.
This year’s event will see the return of the Victorian Highland Pipe Band Championships, featuring Bands from all over Victoria competing for the top awards, thrilling the Souls of all Scots both new arrivals and descendants of old.
Australia’s Highland Muscle will be returning after the amazing International Games in 2025. Heavy Games athletes from around Australia, displaying their prowess in the tossing of the caber and other heavy lifting events.
Another addition to this Grassroots event will be in the Opening Ceremony with the Traditional “Scottish Clan Roll Call” making this an amazing event not to be missed, showcasing the best of Scottish/Celtic Culture and Heritage, providing a history of the Clan's family-based values and the diversity of Australian society.
Our Festival is supported by locals and travellers from all over Australia, with expected increases in loyal and new spectators to this festival, hailed by some to be the third biggest Festival in Melbourne, playing a pivotal role in preserving Scottish and Celtic traditions among the Victorian diaspora and fostering connections to ancestral roots for younger generations.
Our Festival brings together people from all walks of life. Dignitaries include our Patron, Mr Simon Abney-Hastings, the Right Honourable 15th Earl of Loudoun, our Ambassador, The Honourable Mr Ted Baillieu AO, the annually appointed Chieftain of the Day, The Rt Hon Lord Strathspey, Sir Michael Grant of Grant Bt., 34th Chief of Clan Grant,and Honoured Clan, Clan Grant,with many other dignitaries alongside the number of dedicated volunteers who work tirelessly all year long with significant sponsors like the East Ringwood & Croydon Community Bank (Bendigo) & City of Maroondah Council, to present the best day out for all.
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