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General Festival Information
Please see our Schedule page! As always, all events, times, and locations are subject to change.
Our Schedule page has some new features - you can filter events by location/venue, add events to your calendar, and see any new updates/announcements!
New and exciting updates and announcements coming soon! Follow us on social media or sign up for our newsletter to stay in the know!
That is very kind – thank you. We will be honoured to accept your contribution. Please note that we are unable to provide tax receipts but we will ensure your contribution goes to making the Festival that much better! Please contact us at info@fergusscottishfestival.com to complete the process.
The Festival is a primarily volunteer driven organization and we are thrilled that you want to be part of that! Head to our Volunteer Page to learn more.
Wonderful – thank you. You can fill out the sponsorship application at Sponsor Application – Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games and our Sponsorship Chair will be in touch to discuss our great sponsorship opportunities.
Head to our Schedule page for programming. All events, times and locations are subject to change.
Stay tuned to fergusscottishfestival.com and our social media channels for special announcements. Or even better, sign up for our newsletter and we will send you announcements as they are made. Click here and sign up NOW!
As always you can expect the same great events, thrilling competitions, educational components and entertainment that have made the Festival world class.
No. Our event will run rain or shine – we do not offer refunds if the weather is bad.
The Fergus Scottish Festival maintains a No Refunds, No Exchanges, No Exceptions policy. Please be aware that any ticket protection offered during checkout is provided solely by our ticket provider and is not affiliated with the Festival's policy. If you would like the additional protection over your purchase, please consider opting for the offered ticket protection.
Easy peasy. Sign up for our Festival newsletter and you will be in the know all year long. Click here to sign up NOW! And follow us on our social media to stay informed with updates!
No, the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games maintains a policy that does not permit any pets on the Festival grounds, excluding Registered Service Dogs with the appropriate paperwork. This policy is enforced out of respect and safety for the animals. The Festival hosts over 20,000 visitors over the course of the weekend and the size of these crowds can prove a threat to safety of pets. Furthermore, the nature of some of the events held on the grounds requires due caution to prevent possible injury to the animals.
The Fergus Scottish Festival encourages visitors to the Festival to make prior arrangements to ensure proper care is given to their pets while attending the Festival. Please, do not leave pets unattended in parked cars, regardless as to whether a window may be open.
Fergus Scottish Festival patrons using Festival campsites are permitted to keep their pets on their campsites only. The Festival asks that pet owners exercise the caution required to prevent possible injury to their pets and to other persons.
Thank you for your understanding and consideration. If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, you are invited to contact us.
That is great that you are planning ahead…..we are so happy to hear it. The dates are as follows: August 13 - 15, 2027; August 11 - 13, 2028; August 10 - 12, 2029; August 9 - 11, 2030; August 8 - 10, 2031
The Fergus Scottish Festival maintains a No Refunds, No Exchanges, No Exceptions policy.
Please be aware that any ticket protection offered during checkout is provided solely by our ticket provider and is not affiliated with the Festival's policy. If you would like the additional protection over your purchase, please consider opting for the offered ticket protection. If you opted in for the ticket protection and need to file a claim, click here.
We've had an increase in spam profiles on both social media and emails! Although we cannot do much about them, please take note of the following:
- ANY AND ALL correspondence with the Fergus Scottish Festival & Highland Games will come from the domain @fergusscottishfestival.com.
- For social media, all important updates and information will ONLY come from our official accounts.
- Never exchange personal information with these profiles or emails.
- If you recieve a friend request or email from an account claiming to be us, report the profile/email and do not respond.
- Avoid phishing scams and clicking links from emails you do not know.
If you are concerned, please feel free to call the Festival Office at 519-787-0099.
Thank you!
There will be a concert with Ally the Piper on Friday night following the Tattoo ceremony!
The Saturday night concert was held last year as a special 80th anniversary event.
Tickets
Your day/weekend pass includes access to on-site events/venues/activities at the Fergus Scottish Festival grounds (Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex) as follows:
SINGLE-DAY ADMISSION:
Friday: YES, your ticket includes full access to the Tattoo’d in Tradition ceremony and all events and activities on-site with the exception of ticketed Whisky Tastings and VIP Featured Guest events.
Saturday: YES, your ticket includes all events and activities on-site with the exception of ticketed Whisky Tastings and VIP Featured Guest events.
Sunday: YES, your ticket includes all events and activities on-site with the exception of ticketed Whisky Tastings and VIP Featured Guest events.
WEEKEND ADMISSION:
Patron Package: YES, your Patron Package includes access to the Patrons Lounge, free refreshments, full access to the Tattoo’d in Tradition ceremony on Friday, and all events and activities on-site for the entire weekend with the exception of ticketed Whisky Tastings and VIP Featured Guest events.
Weekend: YES, your weekend pass includes full access to the Tattoo’d in Tradition ceremony on Friday, and all events and activities on-site for the entire weekend with the exception of ticketed Whisky Tastings and VIP Featured Guest events.
All activities for children in the McKiddies area are free….and so much fun!
The Highland Pub is a licensed venue and is only available to those who are age 19+ after 9:00pm. Proof of identification is required.
Single-Day Admission is single day passes (Friday, Saturday, or Sunday). Weekend passes (including the Patron Package) include all 3 days.
We are fortunate to have partnered with a new Canadian ticketing provider, Showpass! Things may look different, but you can expect the same, easy experience as previous years.
Our online ticket vendor allows you to purchase all of your tickets to the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games on our secure website! Tickets are on sale now!
Once you buy your online ticket(s), you will receive an emailed or texted “e-ticket” with a barcode that you can print or keep on your mobile device. Please bring this barcode to the gate, and exchange it for your wristband. YOU MUST BRING WITH YOU TO THE FESTIVAL TO GAIN ENTRY.
Apple or Google Wallet, Samsung Pay – tickets will typically load as one barcode, even for two or more tickets.
You can also buy your pass(es) at the front gate. Unfortunately, we cannot accept regular debit, we do accept debit visa, debit mastercard, credit card and cash. There will be ATMs at gates 1 & 2, as well as all around the grounds.
Our online ticket vendor allows you to purchase all of your tickets to the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games on our secure website!
Once you buy your online ticket(s), you will receive an emailed or texted “e-ticket” with a barcode THAT YOU MUST BRING WITH YOU TO THE FESTIVAL TO GAIN ENTRY. Please bring this barcode to the gate, and exchange it for your wristband.
If you can’t find your e-ticket, make sure you check your JUNK and SPAM folders; you can also search your mailbox for an email from “SHOWCLIX” (our ticketing service provider).
Once you have exhausted all of these options, please contact our office, who will be able to access your ticket information from the back-end of our database.
No Refunds, No Exchanges, No Exceptions.
Ticket Insurance: Please note that the ticket protection insurance is offered by our ticket provider. If you opted in and need to file a claim, visit their website here.
Patron Package includes:
- Weekend admission
- Full access to the Tattoo’d in Tradition ceremony on Friday
- All events and activities on-site for the entire weekend with the exception of ticketed Whisky Tastings and VIP Featured Guest events.
- Access to the Patrons mainfield lounge with a private bar
- Complimentary refreshments
Weekend admission includes:
- Full access to the Tattoo’d in Tradition ceremony on Friday
- All events and activities on-site for the entire weekend with the exception of ticketed Whisky Tastings and VIP Featured Guest events.
Patron Package includes:
- Weekend admission
- Full access to the Tattoo’d in Tradition ceremony on Friday
- All events and activities on-site for the entire weekend with the exception of ticketed Whisky Tastings and VIP Featured Guest events.
- Access to the Patrons Lounge with a private bar
- Bar vendor details coming soon
- Complimentary refreshments
- 2 complimentary beverages from the bar (use the tear-off tabs attached to your Patron Pass wristband)
- Assorted Scottish-themed nibbles (think shortbread, etc)
See the Festival Map for the Patron Lounge location.
Rest assured, our ticket prices have stayed the same! You may notice some differences in the final total due to slightly different servicing fees with a new ticketing provider.
No refunds, no exchanges, no exceptions.
Parking & Shuttles
On-Site Parking
Paid parking is $10 on the Festival grounds. It is available on a first come first served basis. Our parking lot can be accessed through the Main Entrance on Belsyde Avenue; please refer to our Festival Site Map for festival parking areas. Our volunteers will guide you into available parking spaces in the main lot while they are available. We are limited by the logistics of our location and the volume of festival-goers at any given time, and we do our best to accommodate everyone to the best of our abilities.
Accessible Parking (On-Site)
There are accessible parking spaces by permit only available on a first come first basis.
Parking in Centre Wellington
There are plenty of public parking spaces around Fergus and Elora where you can park and walk, bike, carpool or catch the shuttle from. Check out our handy FSF Parking Plan map to see all the locations! Please do not park on the side of the road.
Parking for Campers
Campers please see camping rules and regulations about parking for those camping for the weekend.
Active Transportation
We encourage Festival-goers to use active transportation when possible (bikes, walking, etc). There are dedicated bike racks at the front of the Sportsplex.
YES!!! This service will greatly reduce the pressure on our overworked parking lot, and help encourage more local participation all weekend long
The shuttle is a school bus and there will be FOUR stops – A.O. Smith, Provost Lane, Centre Wellington District High School and Festival Grounds.
Please remember to plan accordingly by the shuttle times.
Operating Hours:
Aug 7: 4:00pm – 12:00am
Aug 8: 9:00am – 12:00am
Aug 9: 10:00am – 5:00pm
A dedicated accessible parking area is available to our patrons. It is located at the front of the Centre Wellington Sportsplex where the Festival takes place and is available on a first come first served basis. See the Festival Map here.
Accessible parking is clearly labelled. Upon arrival please mention to our volunteer parking team that you require a space and they will direct you accordingly.
In the rare event this parking area becomes full, please speak to the parking team for an alternate arrangement. We are here to support you.
Yes! The Festival encourages active transportation to the Festival, we will have a dedicated bicycle parking area on Festival grounds in front of the Sportsplex building. See the Festival Map here.
The Township of Centre Wellington has a free shuttle service that runs to and from Fergus and Elora! Learn more at https://www.centrewellington.ca/shuttle
Please remember to plan accordingly by the shuttle times.
Amenities
Yes. We offer free water at municipal water stations for refillable water bottles!!! Bring Your Own Water Bottle! See the map for water bottle filling stations.
When you’ve got the whole clan with you, both young and young at heart, it can be overwhelming on families. We have made it easier for you to enjoy your stay with picnic areas – yes, you’re welcome to bring your own picnic lunch! or enjoy savory Scottish eats from our vendors – and rest areas in the shade, as well as added baby changing stations for the wee ones — see map for locations.
Yes, we have a great team of Ambassadors in golf carts travelling around the Festival grounds all weekend long. Just flag one down or ask a volunteer in a Fergus Scottish Festival t-shirt to locate one for you. Please note, they can be very busy! We ask for your patience with this free service.
Washrooms are available throughout the Festival grounds. You can access washrooms in the Centre Wellington Sportsplex, the building at the North end of Concessions East as well as portable units (including accessible and units with baby change stations) all over the grounds.
Accessible washrooms and change areas are also available inside the Sportsplex.
See Festival Site Map for locations.
ATMs are located throughout the Festival grounds including at the entrance to the Highland Pub and near concessions row. See site map for locations.
YES! Visit our Souvenir tent on Festival weekend to get your unique Festival merchandise. The Souvenir Tent is located in Festival Square - See the map.
There is also exclusive merch for sale at the Festival Office year round, see the catalog here. We cannot offer shipping at this time.
The Festival takes place mostly outdoors on the grounds of the Centre Wellington Sportsplex. The outdoor area is a combination of paved, gravel, and grass areas. The Centre Wellington Sportsplex indoor area is wheelchair accessbile.
There are accessible washrooms both indoors and out for guests to use. We also have an ambassador service that guests can access and dedicated accessible parking.
Any concerns, please find a volunteer as we are always happy to help you.
What to Bring
Yes, we encourage you to bring a lawn chair. We have limited seating in the bleachers so please bring your own seat! This is also advisable if you plan to watch the Heavies competitions and Welcoming Ceremonies.
Yes! We have refillable water stations around the Festival grounds, and encourage our patrons to bring their reusable water bottles to fill up!
Safety & Security
On-site first aid is provided by the St. John Ambulance. It is located near the Office & Security trailer. See the Festival Map.
Please bring lost people to the Security Trailer near the Information Tent. See the Festival Map.
The Lost & Found is located at the Security Trailer near the Information Tent. See the map.
The Fergus Scottish Festival will be presented in accordance with applicable local public health guidelines as of the date of the event which may change at any time as determined by federal, provincial or local government. At the Festival we are working hard and enhancing all of our processes and procedures to ensure all of our guests feel safe and welcome while enjoying the best of “Scotland Without The Airfare.”
The Fergus Scottish Festival will be presented in accordance with applicable local public health guidelines as of the date of the event which may change at any time as determined by federal, provincial or local government. At the Festival we are working hard and enhancing all of our processes and procedures to ensure all of our guests feel safe and welcome while enjoying the best of “Scotland Without The Airfare.”
Camping FAQs
Click the below button to see our camping page with all camping information including pricing, rules & regulations and more.
Most sites are approximately 20′ x 40′.
Tree / Shaded area sites vary in size and are restricted to camping unit length max of 28 feet.
There is a dedicated camping row for RVs over 40 feet designated as “Oversize” as noted on the map.
Consult the Festival camping map before booking your site. Map subject to change.
No more than 6 people per campsite unless the people comprise a single family of parents and their children.
Limited water hookup is provided for Blue, Pink and Purple sites (consult Festival camping map), though water
hook-up for each individual site is not guaranteed.
We suggest that you bring a long up to 100 feet for water hook-up.
Water tank fill up stations are NOT provided on site and campers are required to fill their tanks before arrival.
Electrical hookup is provided for Blue, Pink and Purple sites (see map and legend)
All campers are to provide their own electrical cord. This cord must be a min minimum rated 12/2 with ground.
Smaller cords with different ratings may result in fire, power surges, or damage to electrical systems.
Black / Grey water dumping stations are NOT available on Festival grounds.
The closest campground with dumping facilities is Highland Pines Campground. Call ahead to ensure availability.
All campers must leave their campsite clean and free of garbage. Garbage disposal and garbage receptacles are available on site.
Do not leave broken or damaged camping equipment for disposal.
All campers must remove propane cylinders from the grounds for appropriate disposal.
Shower and washroom facilities are available in the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex, Thursday through Monday, 6am to Midnight.
Portable toilets are available throughout the Festival grounds and washroom facilities are available at the Centre Wellington Community Sportsplex, Thursday through Monday, 6am to Midnight.
Ice is not available for sale on Festival grounds. Ice is available for purchase at nearby convenience stores within walking distance of the campsites.
Should you have any questions or concerns while camping at the Festival, please visit the Camping Registration Tent or Information Services Tent. Volunteers and ambassadors are readily available on the Festival grounds.
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