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 [email protected] to complete the process.
The Festival is a primarily volunteer driven organization and we are thrilled that you want to be part of that. Please email the office at [email protected] and they will talk to you about the options and get you all signed up!
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.
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 9 – 11th, 2024; August 8 – 10th, 2025; and August 7 – 9th, 2026.
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.
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:
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: 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.
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. We accept cash (lots of ATMs on site), credit, and debit.
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.
Festival tickets are non refundable.
Parking & Shuttles
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.
Paid parking is $10 on the Festival grounds. It is available on a first come first served basis. Campers please see camping rules and regulations about parking for those camping for the weekend.
There are accessible parking spaces by permit only available on a first come first basis.
You can also park for free at the Centre Wellington District Highschool just a short walk from Festival grounds or park downtown and enjoy a free and stress-free shuttle bus ride to the Festival grounds.
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 two stops – Festival Grounds at the Centre Wellington Sportsplex and Provost Lane in charming downtown Fergus.
Times for the shuttle are as follows:
Aug 11. 10:00am – 11:00pm
Aug 12. 10:00am – 11:00pm
Aug 13. 11:00am – 5:00pm
Thank you to the Fergus BIA for this opportunity.
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.
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.
Amenities
Yes. We offer free water at municipal water stations for refillable water bottles!!! Bring Your Own Water Bottle!
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 Information/Souvenir tent on Festival weekend to get your unique Festival merchandise.
We also currently have souvenirs for sale through the Festival Office, toques, bucket hats, wine tumblers, sunglasses, and more! Come by
To purchase souvenirs please contact the office to arrange payment and pick up at [email protected].
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 Highland Pub and Heritage Tent areas.
Please bring lost children to the Security Trailer near the Information Tent.
The Lost & Found is located at the Security Trailer near the Information Tent.
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. While cautiously optimistic, we know that restrictions could be re-introduced at any time. Such requirements may include, without limitation, changes to capacity, attendance procedures and entry requirements, such as proof of vaccination and other protective measures such as requiring attendees to wear face coverings. 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. While cautiously optimistic, we know that restrictions could be re-introduced at any time. Such requirements may include, without limitation, changes to capacity, attendance procedures and entry requirements, such as proof of vaccination and other protective measures such as requiring attendees to wear face coverings. 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.
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.
Limited ice will be available for purchase on Festival grounds and is also 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.
No more than 6 people per campsite unless the people comprise a single family of parents and their children.
Clans FAQs
Please note our clan registration process has changed. We will now be requiring those interested in hosting a clan tent to apply first.
Clan registration ensures:
- A tent, tables, and chairs on the Avenue of the Clans
- Two weekend adult passes
- Best Clan award
- Clan recognition on the Festival website
- Recognition of any Clan dignitaries during the Festival
Clan events during the weekend include:
- Clan representation in the Thursday night downtown parade
- The traditional Hearth Lightin’ ceremony on Friday night
- The Parade of the Clans during the Welcoming Ceremony on Saturday
- Participation in the Festival Passport program. Bring a Clan stamp for the kids!
Should you consider hosting a tent, we strongly urge you to stay over for Sunday when a more relaxed atmosphere allows time for discussion with visitors and meeting with other clan groups.
Once you complete your application:
- Your application will be reviewed by our Clans & Heritage Committee
- You will be sent an email including your confirmation/approval and a link to pay for your Clan registration.
- Follow the link to pay and you're all set!
We are putting our Clan registration on our ticketing site like our other registrations and applications.
If you would like to walk with your clan during programming, we recommend getting in touch with the clan tent organizer.
If there is no clan tent and you still wish to represent your clan, get in touch with our Clans & Heritage committee, [email protected]