Cambridge Scottish Festival cancelled due to a lack of volunteers

A piper and drummers at the Cambridge Scottish Festival on July 19, 2025. (Hannah Schmidt/CTV News)

The Cambridge Scottish Festival has been cancelled, just eight days before it was set to mark its 50th anniversary.

The announcement was posted on the event’s website.

“The board of directors of the Cambridge Scottish Festival regret to announce that the 2026 Cambridge Scottish Festival has been cancelled,” it began.

No specific reason was given for the decision in the message.

“Due to unforeseen circumstances and after careful consideration, the board determined that cancelling the 2026 festival is the most responsible course of action,” it read.

CTV News reached out to the board of directors, who explained that the problem was a lack of volunteers.

“Unfortunately, we were unable to meet the required number this year,” they said. “We are devastated by our decision.”

The festival is a beloved tradition dating back to 1975, but the city said the “games have roots in Galt that date all the way back to 1879.”

Every year, Churchill Park transforms into a celebration of Scottish culture, with heavy events, Highland dancers, pipe bands, Celtic music and bagpipes. Attendees can also take a walk through the Avenue of Clans, to learn genealogical and historical information about their ancestors.

The Cambridge Scottish Festival was supposed to kick off on July 18.

Tickets are no longer available for purchase on the website and the board of directors said refunds have been issued to those who already bought one.

“We hope that we can grow our committee and volunteers in the future to allow this Cambridge tradition to continue,” the board’s email said.