| Autumn thru' Spring (May to Nov) 2025 |
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| Event |
Date(s) |
Venue |
Contact/details |
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Scottish Ceilidh Club. Regular Club nights starting 7:30pm - keep warm dancing to live music! |
30 May, 27 Jun, 25 Jul, 29 Aug, 26 Sep, 31 Oct, 28 Nov |
St David’s in the Field, Hillsborough Rd Hillsborough, Auckland |
For more information contact Anne-Marie on
learnScotsfiddle@gmail.com
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Auckland Scottish Fiddle Club. Regular Club nights starting 7:30pm - play Scottish music with a group. |
May 9; Jun 6 & 13; Jul 4 & 11; Aug 1 & 8; Sep 5 & 12; Oct 3 & 10; Nov 7 & 14. |
St Luke’s Church, Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland. |
For more information contact Anne-Marie on
learnScotsfiddle@gmail.com
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Luncheon to celebrate Scottish culture.
Facilitated by Clan Donald, all Clans & others interested in Scottish culture welcome - wear kilts and tartan!
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17 May 2025 |
Goode Brothers, Botany Town Centre, Auckland.
11:15am start
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Text 027 2799176 by 9 May to confirm numbers and get payment details. |
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Musicians Workshop.
Would you like to play Scottish music for dancing? Music supplied, practice with others then play at the evening's Ceilidh (see below).
$20 pp, led by Lynne Scott (past RSCDS NZ advisor)
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1 June 2025
9am-12 noon
(Kings B'Day weekend)
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Cambridge (Waikato)
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More details here
(scroll down) and when you register at kbwe.waibopscd.org.nz
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Cambridge Ceilidh
Family friendly, live music, called by Ruth Budden. No experience needed, just comfy shoes etc - kilts and tartan welcome.
$15pp, $25 family ticket.
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1 June 2025
7pm start.
(Kings B'Day weekend)
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Cambridge Town Hall, Victoria Street, Cambridge 3434
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Details here
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Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band Centennial Highland Ball
$40pp, limited tickets, get in quick!
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14 June 2025
7pm till late
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Cambridge Town Hall, Victoria Street, Cambridge 3434
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More details here
Contact:
info@hamiltoncaledonianpipeband.org.nz
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Celtic Harmony Concert with the Northland Caledonian Pipe Band.
Accompanied by singers, Highland dancers and a backing band, a feast of Scottish music and dance in the beautiful Celtic Barn at Waipu.
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28 June 2025
7-9pm
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Celtic Barn, 39 The Centre, Waipu 0510
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Full details, ticket prices etc here
To book online - TryBooking
Tickets also available at Harcourts Waipu; cash door sales.
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Ceilidh - Music and Dance Social
Hosted by the City of New Plymouth Caledonian Pipe Band with live band and dance caller. All ages, bring friends and family, break out the tartan and celebrate the Scots!
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28 June 2025
7-10pm
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New Plymouth Club, 55 Gill Street, New Plymouth Central
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Full details and booking here
Facebook entry here
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Kirkin' o' the Tartan
All welcome. Join the Clans and the St Andrew's congregation for a cup of tea and haggis after the service - gold coin donation to help with this.
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29 June
Meet at 9:30 for the 10am service
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St Andrew's Church, 2 Symonds Street, Auckland
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Want to know the background to the Kirkin' o' the Tartan ceremony? See our blog on the 2019 ceremony here
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International Tartan Day -celebrated on this day in NZ and Australia |
1 July each year |
Anniversary of the repeal of the 1747 Act of Proscription |
A chance to wear tartan and celebrate your Clan and your heritage |
| Anniversary of Robert Burns' death |
21 July each year |
Scotland's great poet died in 1796. |
We celebrate his birth, we may also like to commemorate his death. |
| St Andrew's Day |
30 November each year |
A celebration of Scotland's Patron Saint |
Traditionally celebrated in Scotland with a St Andrews Day dinner - a good opportunity for those with Scottish roots to do the same. |
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Summer Season for 2025-2026:
From Nov 2025 to Apr 2026 |
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Waipu Highland Games|
9am-4pm
All-day family fun - piping, dancing, stalls, kids running races, and traditional Highland sports from 9am. Then ring in the New Year with a Ceilidh in the evening held in the stunning Caledonian Barn.
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31 December 2025- Scottish Hogmanay!
(Second year of date change from 1 Jan to 31 Dec)
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Caledonian Park,, Waipu. |
Details to come |
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RNZPBA Summer School 2026
The Royal NZ Pipe Band Association is again hosting this world-class piping and drumming school. Something for all levels, group lessons, masterclass workshops and more.
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7-11 January 2026
Registrations open now
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St Andrews College, Christchurch |
More details and link for registration here
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| PAST EVENTS: - |
See below |
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| Summer Season Nov 2024 to Apr 2025 |
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| Event |
Date |
Venue |
Contact/details |
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Hororata Highland Games
Highland Dance, Piping & Drumming, Tug O’ War, Small Bore Shooting, Amateur Scottish heavy athletics (men’s and women’s), Oceania Heavyweight Championship (professional Scottish heavy athletics), vendors and more |
9 November 2024 |
Hororata Domain, 102
Hororata Road Hororata
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Details here
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Kids Ceilidh - Free!
Dancing and Christmas Party especially for kids. 1:30-4:30pm
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10 November 2024 |
Auckland Irish Club, Rocky Nook Ave, Fowlds Park, Morningside, Auckland. |
Please register - text "dance" to Jeanette on
021 024 98576
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St Andrews Day
"do",11am - 4pm. Celebrate Scotland's National Day!
Wear your tartan and enjoy bagpipes, Highland dancing, Haggis ceremony (starting 1pm), Clan information, displays of Scottish weapons, clothing & gifts, more.
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30 November 2024 |
John Kinder House, 2 Ayr St, Parnell, Auckland.
Hosts:
Scottish Clans Association (Auckland).
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Programme details here
Can't make it to Auckland? Have your own St Andrew's celebration. Invite your friends, wear a touch (or more) of tartan, bring food with a Scottish flavour... a great excuse for a party!
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Jenny Mair Square Day
Competitions for Pipe Bands, solo piping & drumming PLUS Highland Dance - great to see dancing contests back in the Square after many years, Scottish vendor stalls too!
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14 December 2024 |
The Square, Palmerston North |
Brief details here
For further details, see posts on the Facebook page for Manawatu Scottish Society (hosts for this event).
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Helen McGregor Memorial Medley Trophy (Bagpipes)
Helen’s dying wish was a piping competition where NZ's best pipers can “flair their fingers” playing music of their own choice
5:30pm start, tickets at the door, supper is served, bar sales available.
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30 December 2024 -
new date.
This event was held on 31 Dec in previous years)
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Foyer of the Celtic Barn - Caledonian Park, Waipu. |
More details here
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Waipu Highland Games
9am-4pm
(Change from the usual date of 1 January)
All-day family fun - piping, dancing, stalls, kids running races, and traditional Highland sports from 9am. Then ring in the New Year with a Ceilidh in the evening (8pm start).
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New Date!
31 December 2024 - Scottish Hogmanay.
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Caledonian Park, Waipu. |
See the Programme and other details on the Games website
Buy tickets online. or at the gate on the 31st.
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NZ Gàidhealtachd
NZ has a deep Celtic heritage; immerse yourself in Celtic knowledge & skills, arts, language, history, music, dance, values & traditions.
Theme this year: “Vikings and their influence on Celtic culture”.
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1-7 January 2025
Camp onsite for all (or part) of the week
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Maungaturoto Country Club
84 Bickerstaffe Road, Maungaturoto.
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Still time to register, lots of space for campers this year, Dec 1st 2024 deadline to pay for the 2025 event!
Register here
For details of workshops, activities and contacts etc, see the full website here
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Turakina Highland Games - 160th!
New Zealand's oldest Scottish Games first held in 1864. Sports, piping & drumming, Highland dance, Clan tents and Scottish vendors 9am-5pm. Followed by an evening BBQ and Ceilidh
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25 January 2025 |
Turakina Domain, Cameron Road, Turakina
(20 km south of Whanganui on SH3)
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Full details of tickets and all activities here
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Burns Night - Anniversary of Robert Burns' birth in 1759
For Aucklanders -the Auckland Scottish Fiddle Club is hosting "The Bard's Birthday" in Devonport this year.
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25 January |
Harmony Hall,
4 Wynyard St, Devonport.
From 7pm |
Full details for the 2025 Devonport event here
Can't make it to Devonport? Burns Night is traditionally celebrated by a Burns Supper with haggis, neeps & tatties etc. But why not create your own with a BBQ or whatever!
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Paeroa Highland Games and Tattoo
Piping & drumming, Highland dance, Clans, heavyweight Scottish field events, Scottish vendors, Steam Punk, variety acts, and an evening tattoo.
9am-9pm
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8 February 2025 |
Paeroa Domain, Paeroa |
Ticket info and full event details on the Games website
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Central North Island (CNI) Centre Pipe Band Competition.
Pipe bands from Bay of Plenty/Tauranga, Hamilton, Te Kuiti, Rotorua, Te Awamutu and Te Puke; 10am-3pm
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22 February 2025 |
Soper Reserve, 95 Newton Street, Mt Maunganui. |
Contact: cni.centre22@gmail.com
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Alistair Brown - House Concert.
Well-known folk singer, raconteur & concertina player, Scottish, Irish and other folk music.
Arranged by the Titirangi Folk Club.
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22 February 2025 |
Glen Eden, Auckland.
Admission
$20 pp
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Please call 021 207 7289 for exact location and more details. |
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Canterbury Centre Pipe Band contest
18 bands, includes a market on Saturday am, ensemble judging.
Bring a deck chair, picnic lunch and the family!
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22-23 February 2025 |
Riccarton Bush, 16 Kahu Road, Christchurch
Free Entry!
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Contact: kim.robertson@outlook.co.nz |
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Auckland Centre Pipe Band Contest
Pipe Bands from Northland, all parts of Auckland, and as far south as Franklin. 8am-5pm
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23 February 2025 |
Waikaraka Park, Captain Springs Road, Onehunga, Auckland |
Contact: auckland.centre@rnzpba.com
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Pipes in the Park
Highland Gathering 10am-4pm with food, fun for the children, Clan and Craft markets and loads of performances - piping, drumming and dance!
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1 March 2025 |
Waitangi Park, 107 Cable St, Wellington Waterfront, Wellington CBD. |
Details here
Contact: pipesinthepark@gmail.com
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Queenstown Pipe Band Championships
Last chance for bands to check the competition before the Nationals next weekend! 8am-5pm (approx.) each day
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1 - 2 March 2025 |
Queenstown Recreational Ground,1 Memorial St, Queenstown. |
Contact: otago.centre@rnzpba.com
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NZ Pipe Band Championships ("The Nationals")
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7-8 March, 2025 |
Queens Park, Invercargill |
Details here
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Talisk - a Scottish Folk Rockstar Band
Wildly popular both online and live at festivals in Europe, North America and Asia, now coming to NZ.
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18 March 2025 |
Spiegeltent, Aotea Square, Auckland
9:30pm |
Details here
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Tartan Day
This celebration started in the USA & Canada and has now spread to Scotland! (NZ & Oz celebrate International Tartan Day on Jul 1) |
6 April every year |
Anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320)
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Wear a touch of tartan today to celebrate your Scottish heritage |
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Unicorn Day
(In Scotland and elsewhere)
Fun fact:The Unicorn is Scotland's national animal & even appears on their Royal Coat of Arms.
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9 April every year |
Your place? the local park?
Get creative and have some fun!
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For more background and ideas, check here and here
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Ceilidh
All welcome.Held in association with the ScotStringNZ annual music school, so there will be great live music!
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19 April 2025 |
Waiatarua Community Hall,
911 West Coast Road, Waiatarua, Auckland 0604
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7.30pm start. $5 unwaged, $10 waged, $15 per family. |
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Easter Hawkes Bay Highland Gathering - contests for solo Piping & Highland dancing.
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19-20 April 2025 |
Lindisfarne College, Pakowhai Rd, Hastings |
Details here
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Concert
Performances by teachers and students of the annual ScotStringsNZ Music School.
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26 April 2025 |
Harmony Hall, 4 Wynyard St, Devonport, Auckland 0624 |
2pm start. $20 at the door. |
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| Past Events, 2024 - |
See below |
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Last year
Waipu Highland Games (151st)
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1 January 2024 |
Caledonian Park, Waipu, Northland |
Details here
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Last year
Burns Night - anniversary of Robert Burns' birth in 1759
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25 January every year |
Traditionally celebrated with a Burns Supper (haggis etc) to celebrate the life of the poet. |
Create your own Burns Supper with a BBQ or whatever! And it doesn't have to be on the exact date. |
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Last year
Turakina Highland Games (159th)
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27 January 2024 |
Turakina Domain, Cameron Rd, Turakina |
Details here
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Last year
Paeroa Highland Games & Tattoo
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10 February 2024 |
Paeroa Domain, Paeroa |
Details here |
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Last year
RNZPBA Central North Island Centre Pipe Band contest. Free 1-day event
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2 March 2024 |
Soper Reserve, Newton Rd, Mt Maunganui.
10.30am on
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Sorry no other details. |
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Last year
RNZPBA Canterbury Centre pipe band contest.
Free 2-day event
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2-3 March 2024 |
Riccarton House/Bush, 16 Kahu Road, Christchurch |
See details here
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Last year
NZ Pipe Band Championships ("The Nationals")
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15-16 March 2024 |
Onewa Domain
Northcote, Auckland’ |
Details here |
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Last year
Easter Hawkes Bay Highland Games (contests for solo Piping & Highland dancing)
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30-31 March 2024 |
Lindisfarne College, Hastings |
Details to come |
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Last year
Tartan Day - celebrated today in USA & Canada (NZ & Oz celebrate International Tartan Day on Jul 1)
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6 April each year |
Anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320) |
Wear a touch of tartan today to celebrate your Scottish heritage |
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Last year
Ceilidh - All ages, all abilities.
In association with the Auckland Scottish Fiddle Club and ScotsStringNZ annual music school.
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20 April 2024 |
Oratia Bowling Club, 515 West Coast Road, Oratia, Auckland |
Last year
Details, tickets etc here
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Last year
Traditional Scottish Music Concert.
Musicians from Scotland & Australia with students of ScotsStringNZ's traditional Scottish music school.
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27 April 2024 |
Harmony Hall, 4 Wynyard Street, Devonport, Auckland. |
Details, tickets etc here
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Last year
Clan Cameron NZ Annual Dinner.
Note: All Clans and their members are invited to attend!
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4 May 2024 |
Hawkes Bay Club, 53a Marine Parade, Bluff Hill, Napier.
See images here of this gracious and historic venue
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Full details, tickets etc here
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Last year
Te Kuiti Pipe Band 75th Jubilee
Celebration Ceilidh
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25 May 2024 |
Les Munro Civic Centre, Te Kuiti |
More details, tickets etc here
For a brief history of the Band, click here
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Last year
Ceilidh in Te Uku
Family fun hosted by Waikato and BOP Scottish Country Dancers
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2 June (Sunday) 2024 |
Te Uku Memorial Hall, 38 Matakotea Road, Raglan 3295 |
7-9 pm
See full details here
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Last year
Hamilton Caledonian Society's Pipe Band Concert "PipeWorks 2024".
Fundraiser, two performances (2pm & 7pm), great music, raffles, half-time refreshments
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8 June 2024 |
Southwell School Performing Arts Centre, 200 Peachgrove Rd, Claudelands, Hamilton |
See details, buy tickets etc here
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Last year
Taranaki Caledonian Pipe Band - Ceilidh 2024 Music & Dance Social.
Annual fundraiser
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22 June 2024 |
New Plymouth Club |
7pm start. More details on their Facebook page here
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Last year
Kirking of the Tartan
The Scottish Clans Association - Auckland invites you to this annual event.
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30 June 2024 (Sunday)
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St Andrew's Church,
2 Symonds St, Auckland.
Meet at 9:30am for the 10am service, cup of tea & haggis after
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Its roots go back to the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden - see details of this historical ceremony here
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Last year
International Tartan Day - celebrated today in NZ and Australia
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1 July each year |
Anniversary of the repeal of the 1747 Act of Proscription |
Another chance to wear tartan and celebrate your heritage |
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Last year
Clan Cameron Auckland - Annual Dinner
All Clans welcome!
Great entertainment with City of Auckland Pipe Band's fusion band "Originz" plus folk singers Paul Brown and Noel Armstrong
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6 July 2024 |
‘The Parnell’, 10-20 Gladstone Road, Parnell, Auckland.
6pm for 6.30 pm
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Full details, tickets etc here
Note: There will also be a display of items off "The Blenheim", which landed in Wellington Dec 1840 with many Scottish immigrants.
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Last year
Anniversary of Robert Burns' death
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21 July every year |
Scotland's great poet died in 1796. |
We celebrate his birth, we may also like to commemorate his death. |
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Last year
Clan McKenzie "get together"
10am - morning tea and guest speaker.
11am - free tour of the Wigram Airforce Museum.
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28 July 2024 |
Wigram Airforce Museum
45 Harvard Avenue, Wigram, Christchurch 8042 |
For more details -
Contact Jock McKenzie jwmck900@gmail or phone Jock on 0274507264 |
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Last year
Friday Night Ceilidh - 7-9pm. Easy dancing called by Noel Armstrong with two touring Scottish musicians playing.
Adults $15, Families $30.
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18 October 2024 |
Fairfield Community House - Te Whare o Te Ata, 214 Clarkin Road, Hamilton 3214 |
Contact hamiltonceilidh@waibopscd.org.nz
Hosted by Lochiel and Hamilton Scottish Dance Clubs. Light supper provided.
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Last year
Taranaki Pipe Band - Scottish dance (Ceilidh)
Fundraiser for the band. 7pm start; live music from Wilkie Mac.
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19 October 2024 |
New Plymouth Club, Gill St. New Plymouth |
Tickets from Vinyl Countdown, New Plymouth Club or on the door on the night. $30pp ($10 for under 18s)
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