We are working very hard to finalize the 158th Antigonish Highland Games Schedule which is occurring Sunday, July 2nd to Sunday July 9th, 2023. The schedule below has been updated for the 158th Antigonish Highland Games but it is still tentative and will be updated frequently! Details will be added as soon as they are confirmed!
Thank you for your continued patience and support and we hope to see you there!
Sunday July 2nd, 2023
Opening of 158th Antigonish Highland Games Church Service
- Opening of 158th Antigonish Highland Games Church Service
- LOCATION: St. Ninian’s Cathedral, 121 St. Ninian Street, Antigonish, NS
- TIME: 10:30 AM
Clan Thompson Pipe Band and Friends Concert
- LOCATION: St. James United Church
- TIME: 2PM
Monday July 3rd, 2023
Tuesday, July 4th, 2023
Culloden memorial ceremony
- LOCATION: Culloden Memorial Cairn in Knoydart, Nova Scotia
- TIME: 11:00AM
- Meet at the Cairn for 11:00AM for the memorial ceremony remembering the Battle of Culloden
S.t Ninian's Pioneer Cemetery Dedication Ceremony
- LOCATION: John Paul Centre, 308 Main Street
- TIME: 4:00 PM
- Dedication to celebrate the completion of the Restoration Project
Clan Chisholm Dinner and Social
- LOCATION: East Coast Social Enterprise Centre, 75 St. Ninian Street
- TIME: Social begins @ 6:00 PM, Dinner begins @ 7:00 PM
- COST: $30 (Pre pay only)
- Dinner options include either Chicken or Salmon Dinner
- Contact to purchase tickets:
- Kay – 902-863-4118
- Loyola – 902-863-9555
- Vaughn – 902-863-5935
Wednesday July 5th, 2023
Kilted Golf Tournament Stroke Play
- LOCATION: Antigonish Golf & Country Club
- INDIVIDUAL STROKE PLAY & 4 PERSON SCRAMBLE
- COST: $50 per member / $90 per guest
- Carts are $25 per person
Annual Stroll the Main Street fair
Ceilidh in st. andrews
- LOCATION: St. Andrews Community Centre, St. Andrews, Nova Scotia
- TIME: 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
Thursday July 6th, 2023
Ceilidh at the Museum
- LOCATION: Antigonish Heritage Museum
- TIME: 7PM
- Featuring Karen Beaton & Friends
Ships of 1801 Society's Keppoch Ghost Story Production
- Bochans & Birthdays – A Keppoch Ghost Story
- LOCATION: Schwartz Building, StFX Campus
- TIME: 7:00 PM
- COST: $30 per ticket (adult) & $10 (youth)
- Tickets available to purchase at:
- Antigonish 5 to $1 Store
- Trendy’s Clothing
- MacKinnons Pharmacy
- MacDonald’s Convenience
Weekend Schedule of Events
Friday July 7th 2023
Morning events on Columbus Field
- 8:00 AM – Gates Open
- 9:00 AM – Tir Nan Og Athletic Activities Begin – Sponsored by the MacLeod Group
- 12:00 PM – Tir Nan Og Awards
- 12:30 PM – Tir Nan Og Family Picnic & BBQ (Food will be available for purchase following the Tir Nan Og Award Ceremony)
Evening Events on Columbus field/Main Street
- 5:00 PM – President Dinner, St. Francis Xavier University – Private Event
- 6:00 PM – 5 Mile Road Race – Sponsored by BL Environmental
- 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM – Antigonish Art Fair, Chisholm Park
- 7:45 PM – Official Opening of the 158th Highland Games
- 8:00 PM to 9:30 PM – Concert Under the Stars, Main Stage – Sponsored by The Males Supportive Living
- 9:30 PM to 11:30 PM – Ceilidh, Coldstream Ceilidh Stage
Saturday July 8th 2023
Morning Events on Columbus Field
- 8:00 AM – Highland Dance Pre-Premier Registration – (Novice & Intermediate)
- 8:30 AM – Highland Dance Pre-Premier Competition (Novice & Intermediate dancers) – Sponsored by MacGillivray Fuels
- 9:00 AM – Grand Street Parade – STFX to Columbus Field – Sponsored by Dexter Nova Alliance
- 10:00 AM to 12:30 PM – Pancake Breakfast – St. James Church
- 10:00 AM – Scottish Heavyweight Events Begin – Sponsored by Sobeys
- 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM – Family Cultural & Arts Workshops – Sponsored by the MacLeod Group
- Gaelic langugae, Milling Frolic, Drumming & Step Dance/Square Sets
- 10:30 AM – Highland Dance – New Scotland Open Championship (Premier Dancers) – Parkland Antigonish
- 10:30 AM – Solo Piping and Drumming Competitions – Sponsored by Keltic Ford
- 11:00 AM – Scottish Heavy Event – Heavy Weight Distance – Sponsored by Sobeys
- 12:00 PM – Scottish Heavy Event – Heavy Hammer – Sponsored by Whidden Park Campground and Cottages
- 12:00 PM – Ceilidh Pub Opens
Afternoon/Evening Events on Columbus Field
- 12:00 to 2:00 PM – Official Opening of Clan Day – Sponsored by R. MacLean Forestry
- 1:00 PM – Scottish Heavy Event – Caber Toss – Sponsored by Sobeys
- 1:30 PM – New Scotland Open Championship resumes (Premier dancers)
- 2:00 PM – Nova Scotia Pipe Band Championships – Sponsored by Ron MacGillivray Chev, Buick, GMC
- 2:00 PM – Scottish Heavy Event – Weight Over Bar – Sponsored by Canadian Tire Antigonish
- 3:00 PM – Highland Dance – Mary Dundas Sword Event (Premier dancers under the age of 16) – Sponsored by Cameron’s Jewelry Ltd.
- 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM – Afternoon Ceilidh – Coldstream Ceilidh Stage – Sponsored by Labatt – Featruing John Pellerin, Allan Dewar & Kenny Stewart
- 3:30 PM – Open Farmer’s Walk
- 3:40 PM – Junior Track Mile
- 4:00 PM – Highland Dance Award Presentations
- 4:00 PM – Tug-Of- War Competition – Sponsored by MacDonald & Murphy
- 5:30 PM – Massed Pipe Bands & Awards – Sponsored by Highcrest Enterprises Ltd.
- 9:00 PM to 2:00 AM – Ceilidh Pub – Coldstream Ceilidh Stage – Featurng Pretty Archie & Waking Finnegan – Sponsored by Coldstream Clear Distillery
Ships of 1801 Society's Keppoch ghost story production
- Bochans & Birthdays – A Keppoch Ghost Story
- LOCATION: Schwartz Building, StFX Campus
- TIME: 7:00 PM
- COST: $30 per ticket (adult) & $10 (youth)
- Tickets available to purchase at:
- Antigonish 5 to $1 Store
- Trendy’s Clothing
- MacKinnons Pharmacy
- MacDonald’s Convenience
Sunday July 9th 2023
Morning Events on Columbus Field
- 8:00 AM – Highland Dance Pre-Premier Registration – (Primary & Beginner)
- 8:30 AM – Highland Dance Pre-Premier Competition – (Primary & Beginner)
- 8:30 AM – Solo Piping & Drumming Competitions – Sponsored by Parkland Antigonish
- 10:00 AM – Highland Dance – Florence MacMillan Flora Event (Premier dancers from Martimes) – Sponsored by Trendy’s Clothes Ltd./Trendy’s Shoes Ltd.
- 10:00 AM – Scottish Heavy Event – Open Stone – Sponsored by Claymore Inn and Suites
- 10:00 AM – Junior Scottish Heavy Event Competition – Sponsored by Brownstone Restaurant
- 10:30 AM – Tug-Of-War Competition – Sponsored by Steelmac Limited
- 10:30 AM – Closing Church Service – St. Ninians’s Cathedral
- 11:00 AM – Scottish Heavy Event – Light Weight for Distance – Sponsored by MacDonald Chrysler
- 11:30 AM – Highland Heart Open Premiership (Premier dancers)
- 12:00 PM – Scottish Heavy Event – Light Hammer – Sponsored by Harmony Grove Homes
Afternoon/Evening on Columbus Field
- 1:00 PM – Highland Heart Open Premiership resumes (Premier dancers) – Sponsored by AA Munro
- 1:00 PM – Scottish Heavy Event – Challenge Caber Toss – Sponsored by Sobeys
- 1:30 PM – Atlantic Canada Pipe Band Championships – Sponsored by Century Nissan
- 2:00 PM – Scottish Heavy Event – Challenge Sheaf Toss – Sponsored by Henry’s Napa Autopro
- 3:30 PM – Highland Dance Award Presentations
- 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM – Closing Ceilidh – Licensed Event – Coldstream Ceilidh Stage – Featuring Mairi Rankin, Wendy MacIsaac & Mac Morin
- 5:00 PM – Massed Pipe Bands & Awards – Sponsored by iA Wealth Management
Ships of 1801 Society's Keppoch ghost story production
- Bochans & Birthdays – A Keppoch Ghost Story
- LOCATION: Schwartz Building, StFX Campus
- TIME: 7:00 PM
- COST: $30 per ticket (adult) & $10 (youth)
- Tickets available to purchase at:
- Antigonish 5 to $1 Store
- Trendy’s Clothing
- MacKinnons Pharmacy
- MacDonald’s Convenience
Gold Level Sponsors
Silver Level Sponsors
Bronze Level Sponsors
Tartan Level Sponsors
