History of the Games

The Ringwood Highland Games were started by the Mayor of Ringwood City Council, Elizabeth Penny, and the first event was held on the 4th April 1967 at Jubilee Park in Ringwood. This is the same year that the Ringwood Caledonian Society was established.

The Games have been held annually ever since all within the City of Maroondah region. Live events were interrupted in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and we transitioned to a Virtual Highland Games format that was very successful.

In 2021 the event was renamed to the Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival as they were the only remaining Highland games in metropolitan Melbourne.

Through the years the Games have been held in several locations including:

• Jubilee Park, Ringwood
• East Ringwood Sports Ground, Ringwood East
• JW Manson Reserve, Wantirna
• Virtual Highland Games in 2020 and 2021
• Eastfield Park, Croydon