ScotFestBC returns to Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park in June

ScotFest Coquitlam Brings Scottish Traditions Back this June

ScotFestBC and the 128th British Columbia Highland Games will return to Coquitlam’s Town Centre Park on June 20 & 21 – with interesting twists.

“The core of this weekend festival is the same as the first Caledonian Highland games 128 years ago – great competition in pipes, drums, heavy events, and dance. Today, we are layering in a great whisky school, live Celtic music in the Big Tent, a couple dozen food trucks, vendors, children’s fun, and cultural workshops to make this ScotFestBC,” says Mike Chisholm, ScotFestBC executive director. “Of course, we make a few tweaks every year to keep things fresh.”

Among the biggest change guests will notice this year is the ScotFestBC whisky school moving to the main stage beside Lafarge Lake. With triple the capacity of the previous site, the whisky school will hold a pair of Whisky Gourmet classes Friday evening – pairing Vancouver Island Macaloney whiskies with a curated selection of Scottish foods from Surrey’s British Store. Expect scones to sausage and, yes, even haggis, then join the Friday night fun in the big Tent afterwards.

Saturday afternoon will feature the familiar series of whisky classes delving into great whiskies of Canada and Scotland. Once again, the afternoon will wrap up with Straight Session Cocktails – a partnership between local liquor boutique Jak’s Beer Wine Spirits and The Georgia Straight.

Over in the Big Tent in its new location on The Meadow, Tiller’s Folly will headline a weekend of Celtic music. From Scotland, Finlay MacDonald (head of piping at the National Piping Centre in Glasgow) and Ali Hutton (a multi-instrumentalist from Perthshire), will take the stage Saturday just before the headline act. College Trad, Bob Collins, The Wee Drams, and Mariachi Los Dorado will keep the tent going all weekend.

That isn’t the only place Celtic music will be found in the park – Annika Wilson of Twin Embers will hold a fiddling workshop in the Cultural Workshop tent. At the same time, Dr. James Acken will explore the cultural history and music of the Highlands and Scotland. “We’re looking forward to welcoming back old friends and welcoming new ones for this 128th games and weekend of music,” Chisholm says.

The 2025 ScotFestBC program

Friday evening (4 – 10 p.m.)

Opening ceremony – 6:00 pm. The 78th Fraser Highlanders, along with local politicians and dignitaries, will officially kick off the 128th

Big Tent Kitchen Party – 6:30 pm Tiller’s Folly, Collage Trad, with host Rod MacBeth.

Whisky Gourmet – Fine whiskies and Scottish eats on the main stage beside Lafarge Lake (ticket req’d).

Food trucks and vendors from 4:00 pm.

Open Piobaireachd (piping) – 5:00 pm. In the Cultural Tent, the very best pipers in the Pacific Northwest will compete individually. Judged by Robert Worrall of Ontario.

Saturday (8 a.m. – 10 p.m.)

The 128th British Columbia Highland Games – piping, drumming, Highland dancing, and Scottish heavy events competitions. Massed pipe bands, cultural workshops, whisky school, children’s activities, food trucks, vendors.

British Columbia Pipers’ Association Pipe Band Championships – 2:00 – 5:00 pm in the Piper’s Competition Circle near Piper’s Glen.

Massed band (all pipe bands at the festival playing and marching in order) – 5:00 pm on the Lew Ross Field.

REMAX Scottish Heavy Events – 9:00 – 4:00 pm on the Lew Ross Field

The Vancouver Championship with the BC Highland Dance Association – 8:30 – 5:00 pm on the High Dancing Stage.

Celtic music in the Big Tent – 1:00 – 10:00 pm.

Whisky School classes – starting 12:30 pm on the Main Stage, followed by Macaloney Whisky & Chocolate at 6:00 pm.

Cultural workshops – starting 11:00 am in the workshop tent.

Food trucks and vendors – all day throughout the park.

ScotFest Coquitlam >>