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New Zealand Scottish Events Calendar 2022/2023

Girls Highland Dancing

 What Scottish Events are happening near me? 

Hats off to all the organisers who are starting to plan for events from now on - lets all make sure we support them as fully as possible by getting out and participating!

Remember - if you want to look the part but don't have your own kilt etc, we can help! Check out our hire section, or contact us about buying items.

If you are organising an event, or know of one that you think we could list here, please let us know  - email graham@scotsinspirit.com 

Events Calendar -
* indicates Scots in Spirit will be there with our stand - lots of items for sale, and we can take orders for kilts, jackets etc.

 

Events from May 2023 to Dec 2023
Clan Donald Auckland & Districts Annual Formal Dinner 24 June 2023 The Parnell, Gladstone Road, Parnell, Auckland Full details here
International Tartan Day (celebrated on this date in NZ & Australia) 1 July  Anniversary of the repeal of the 1747 Act of Proscription Anniversary of the repeal of the 1747 Act of Proscription
Anniversary of Robert Burns' death 21 July Scotland's great poet died in 1796. We celebrate his birth, we may also like to commemorate his death
St Andrews Day 30 November Scotland's National Day, a public holiday there n NZ, many organisations & individuals with Scottish connections hold a celebration around this date - if there isn't one near you, why not arrange your own St Andrew's "do"?

Events from
June 2022 to April 2023

Event Date Location Contact/website
Auckland Scottish Fiddle Club Night - Trad Scottish music club with fiddles, cellos, keyboard, accordion, flutes, guitars, harps etc. All welcome. 2nd Friday of each month in 2022 - i.e. Jun 10, Jul 8, Aug 12, Sep 9, Oct 14, Nov 11 etc) St Luke's Church, 130 Remuera Rd, Auckland 7.30 - 10pm.

Info: 

learnScotsfiddle@gmail.com

Facebook page

*Matariki Solo Piping Competition (same piping programme as the cancelled Easter 2022 event - but no dancing) 24-26 June 2022 Lindisfarne College, Pakowhai Rd, Hastings Details here
International Tartan Day (celebrated on this date in NZ & Australia) 1 July every year Anniversary of the repeal of the 1747 Act of Proscription Wear a touch of tartan today to celebrate your Scottish heritage. See here  for more details
Anniversary of Robert Burns' death 21 July every year Scotland's great poet died in 1796. We celebrate his birth, we may also like to commemorate his death
Midwinter Cèilidh - wonderful opportunity to catch up for music, dancing and laughter! 6 August 2022 St Leo’s Parish Hall, Devonport, Auckland Details here
Scottish Clans Association, Auckland & Districts Annual Dinner, Auckland

17 September 2022

SORRY, POSTPONED,

New date tbc

The Parnell Hotel10-20 Gladstone Road, Parnell, Auckland.

Details here

SORRY, POSTPONED

New date tba

Hororata Highland Games 5 November 2022 Hororata, Canterbury Website

Auckland Highland Games

Cancelled for 2022

26 November 2022 - now cancelled Lloyd Elsmere Park, Pakuranga, Auckland

 

Cancelled for 2022

St Andrews Day 30 November every year Scotland's National Day, a public holiday there In NZ, many organisations & individuals with Scottish connections hold a celebration around this date - if there isn't one near you, why not arrange your own St Andrew's "do"?
St Andrew's Day -  Piping Recital by Finlay Cameron. Organised by Clan Cameron Auckland 3 December 2022 Parnell Cricket Club, Shore Rd, Remuera, Auckland

Recital details here

Details on First Light here

Jenny Mair Highland Square Day 
Pipe Band Competitions start 11am, stalls open around 9am

 

10 December 2022

Note: Scots in Spirit attendance depends on the weather!

The Square, Palmerston North Details here
Helen McGregor Memorial Trophy Night (open medley solo piping contest) -  start your Hogmanay here! 31 December 2022 The Celtic Barn, Caledonian Park, Waipu, Northland

Tickets $10 at the door

Details here

*Waipu Highland Games - 150 Years celebration, a real landmark! 1 January 2023 Caledonian Park, Waipu, Northland Website
Burns Night - anniversary of Robert Burns' birth 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.
* Turakina Highland Games (158th year) 28 January 2023 Turakina Domain, Cameron Road Website
Harp Fest New Zealand - featuring New Zealand and international tutors, performers, and participants 3-6 February 2023 The harp is an international instrument, but well known for its Celtic links (Scotland, Ireland, Wales). Website
* Paeroa Highland Games & Tattoo (30th year) 11 February 2023 Paeroa Domain, Paeroa

Website 

Canterbury Centre Annual Pipe Band Contest 

NOTE: To be held at Lansdowne Park in BLENHEIM - supporting Marlborough/Nelson bands as the Nationals are in Chch 2 weeks later!

25-26 February 2023

Lansdowne Park, Blenheim.

Street March from the CBD 9am Sat, piping at the park both Sat & Sun 10am on. Free event.

Contact: 

kim.robertson@outlook.co.nz

NZ & South Pacific Pipe Band Contest (The Nationals) 10-11 March 2023 North Hagley Park Special Events area, Christchurch

 Details

*Easter Hawkes Bay Highland Games (contests for solo Piping & Highland dancing) 8-9 April 2023 Lindisfarne College, Hastings Details to come
PAST SEASON
2021/2022 Summer Season to May 2022
Event Date Location Contact/website
Hororata Highland Games Nov 2021 -  Cancelled for 2021 Hororata, Canterbury
Auckland Highland Games Dec 2021 -  Cancelled for 2021 Auckland
Scottish Clans Association, Auckland & Districts Annual Dinner, Auckland 27 November 2021 (now cancelled) Auckland
St Andrew's Day 30 November every year Scotland's National Day, a public holiday there In NZ, many organisations & individuals with Scottish connections hold a celebration around this time - if there's nothing on near you, why not arrange your own St Andrew's "do"?
Christchurch Casino Victoria Square Day (pipe bands, Highland dancing) 4 December 2021 (to be confirmed) Victoria Square, Christchurch (run by Canterbury Caledonian Soc. Pipe Band) Contact Courtney Williamson for updates: courtneywilliamson92@gmail.com
*Jenny Mair Highland Square Day (42nd year)

 

11 Dec 2021 - NOW CANCELLED 

The Square, Palmerston North Contact: jennymair@xtra.co.nz
Helen McGregor Memorial Trophy Night (open medley solo piping contest)  31 December 2021 The Celtic Barn, Caledonian Park, Waipu, Northland Web page

Waipu Highland Games - 150 Years celebration

1 January 2022 - NOW CANCELLED Caledonian Park, Waipu, Northland Website

Auckland Scottish Fiddle Club Night. Trad Scottish music club - fiddles, cellos, keyboard, accordion, flutes, guitars, harps etc. All welcome.

Second Friday of each month, starting 14 January 2022 St Luke's Church, 130 Remuera Rd, Auckland 7.30 - 10pm.

Info: 

learnScotsfiddle@gmail.com

Facebook page

Burns Night - anniversary of Robert Burns' birth 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.
* Turakina Highland Games (158th year) 29 January 2022 - NOW CANCELLED Turakina Domain, Cameron Rd, Turakina Contact: turakinahighlandgames@gmail.com
* Paeroa Highland Games & Tattoo (29th year) 12 February 2022 - NOW CANCELLED Paeroa Domain, Paeroa Cancellation announced on their Facebook page 2.11.21
Ashburton's Festival of Pipe Band Music  13 February 2022 (to be confirmed) Street March on Elizabeth St.,12:30pm; Sets and Medleys in the Domain, 1:30pm Contact: Peter MacLean petermaclean@xtra.co.nz
Octagonal Day (Otago Centre pipe band contest)  19 February 2022 (to be confirmed) Street March, Set and Medley in the Octagon, Dunedin.

Contact:
Maureen Hurrell 

hurrellm@xtra.co.nz

Otago/Southland Provincial Contest  20 February 2022 (to be confirmed) Dunedin: Street March in George St., then to Alhambra Rugby Grounds (North Ground)

Contact: Maureen Hurrell

hurrellm@xtra.co.nz

Canterbury Centre Contest  26-27 February 2022 (to be confirmed) Innovation Park, 185 Kirk Road, Templeton, Christchurch Contact Kim Robertson. 0272227330 kim.robertson@outlook.co.nz
Pipes in the Park (piping, dancing. Clans etc) 26 February 2022  Waitangi Park, Wellington

Facebook page

Contact: Catherine MacKenzie pipesinthepark@gmail.co

CNI Contest (Central North Island Pipe Band contest) 26 February 2022 (to be confirmed) To be advised

Heather Lyttle, Secretary: lyttleham@xtra.co.nz

Whisky Galore’s DramFest - 
whisky education and tasting festival

26-27 February 2022 Te Pae Christchurch Convention and Exhibition Centre  1pm-6pm Website
NZ Pipe Band Championships 11-12 March 2022 (NOW CANCELLED) Onewa Domain,  North Shore, Auckland

Contact: info@rnzpba.com

More details here

Melbourne Highland Games & Celtic Festival

Looks like you have to go to Australia for Highland Games this year!

20 March 2022 Eastfield Park, Croydon VIC Website
Tartan Day - celebrated on this date in USA & Canada 6 April each year (Note: International Tartan Day on July 1 is celebrated in NZ & Australia) Anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320) Wear a touch of tartan today to celebrate your Scottish heritage.
Easter Hawkes Bay Highland Games (contests for solo Piping & Highland dancing)

16-17 April 2022 (Easter)

NOW CANCELLED

Lindisfarne College. Hastings

Te Anau Tartan Festival - celebrate the south's Scottish roots. Includes Piping & Dancing, & Highland Games for the whole family.

16-17 April 2022 (Easter)

NOW CANCELLED

Real Journeys Fiordland Community Event Centre (20-22 Luxmore Drive,
Te Anau) & adjacent Memorial Park
Website
Previous Season (2020-2021)
 Event Date Location Contact/Website

Celtic Harmony - an evening of Celtic music with NorthCal Pipe Band  and guests

7 November 2020 Waipu Celtic Barn, 47 The Centre, Waipu

For more details, ticket sales etc here

Note: Scots in Spirit will be in the foyer with a selection of Scottish goods for sale and able to take kilt orders etc.

Hororata Highland

 Games

7 November 2020 Hororata Domain, Hororata, Canterbury Website
Hamilton Gardens Pipe Band Contest 7 November 2020 Rhododendron Lawn, Hamilton Gardens, Cobham Drive Hamilton

Solo Piping in the morning, Pipe Bands start 12:30pm.

Contact: ian.anthony@xtra.co.nz

 

An Evening of Scottish Song & Music - family event 14 November 2020

Harmony Hall, 4 Wynyard St, Devonport, Auckland

Bring a plate. BYO. Tea/Coffee available.  $5.00 koha towards the performers. Starts 7:30pm

"Tartan Takeover" at Hopaholics Brewery taproom. 27 November 2020

Hopaholics Brewery, 25 Boundary Street
Greymouth

More details here
Scottish Clans Association, Auckland & Districts Annual Dinner, Auckland 28 November 2020 The Parnell Hotel ,
10-20 Gladstone Road, Parnell, Auckland.

Everyone with an interest in things Scottish is welcome. More details, ticket sales etc here

St Andrew's Day 30 November every year Scotland's National Day, a public holiday there In NZ, many organisations & individuals with Scottish connections hold a celebration around this time - if there's nothing on near you, why not arrange your own St Andrew's "do"?
Auckland Highland Games Cancelled for December 2020
Summer Ceilidh, live music from Fingal (fundraiser for City of New Plymouth Caledonian Pipe Band) 4 December 2020 (Fri) 7.30pm start New Plymouth Club, New Plymouth Tickets $30, more details here

Christchurch Casino Highland Day (pipe bands, Highland dancing)

5 December 2020 Victoria Square, Christchurch More details here 
Jenny Mair Highland Square Day (Pipe Band contest, organised by Manawatu Scottish Society) 12 December 2020 The Square, Palmerston North  More details here  and here
Northcote Invitational (solo pipers contest) 30 December 2020 Northcote Tavern, Auckland Enquiries: andpipeband@gmail.com
Helen McGregor Memorial Trophy (open medley solo piping contest) 31 December 2020 Waipu Celtic Barn, 47 The Centre, Waipu, Northland 7pm start. Part of the Waipu 2021 Community Festival solo piping competition, ticket sales here
Waipu Highland Games 1 January 2021 - CANCELLED The Games have been cancelled for 2021 BUT there is a Community Festival - see  next entry!
Waipu Community Festival (contests for solo piping; dancing) 1 January 2021 Caledonian Park, Waipu, Northland Details for piping here;  other details not yet available
Burns Night, Devonport 23 January 2021 Harmony Hall, 4 Wynyard St, Devonport, Auckland Entry fee to support musicians on the night & the Auckland Scottish Fiddle Club - more details here
Otago Taieri A&P Society Annual Show (some Highland events and Clan tents alongside A&P events) 23 January 2021 Otago Taieri A&P Society's Showgrounds, Five Roads, Mosgiel More details here
Brighton Gala Day (some Clan tents usually present) 24 January 2021 Brighton Domain More details here

Turakina Highland Games 

30 January 2021 Turakina Domain Cameron Rd, Turakina

More details here.  Full programme here.

Contact: turakinahighlandgames@gmail.com

* Paeroa Highland Games & Tattoo

13 February 2021 Paeroa Domain, Paeroa More details here
Ashburton's Festival of Pipe Band Music  14 February 2021 Street March on Elizabeth St.,12:30pm; Sets and Medleys in the Domain, 1:30pm Contact: Peter MacLean, petermaclean@xtra.co.nz
Octagonal Day (Otago Centre pipe band contest) 20 February, 2021 The Octagon, Dunedin Contact: Maureen Hurrell, hurrellm@xtra.co.nz
Otago/Southland Centre Pipe Bands 21 February 2021 Street March, George St., then to Alhambra Rugby Grounds Contact: Maureen Hurrell, hurrellm@xtra.co.nz
Pipes in the Park (piping, dancing. Clans etc) 27 February 2021 Waitangi Park, Wellington

More details here

Contact: Catherine MacKenzie, pipesinthepark@gmail.com

Auckland Centre Pipe Bands’ Championship - hosted by the City of Sails Pipe Band 28 February 2021 Waikaraka Park, Onehunga, Auckland Good details here
WHBPB Centre Contest (Wellington Hawkes Bay, pipe bands) 6 March 2021 Marton Park, Oxford Street, Marton Contact: Sandra Harry, sfharry13@gmail.com
CNI (Central North Island) Contest (pipe bands)

CANCELLED due to Covid Level change

(was on 6 March 2021)

Rex Morpeth Park, Whakatane Contact: Paul Fuller, fullerwhanau@icloud.com
Canterbury Centre Contest (pipe bands) 6-7 March 2021 Innovation Park, 185 Kirk Rd, Templeton, Christchurch.  Contact: Kim Robertson, kim.robertson@outlook.co.nz
* NZ Pipe Band Championships (national pipe band competition) 19-20 March 2021 Hastings and Napier  (Hawkes Bay) Website
* Easter Hawkes Bay Highland Games (contests for solo Piping & Highland dancing) 3-4 April 2021 Lindisfarne College, Hastings Some details here
WhiskyGalore/WildEstate Solo Piping Competition 24 July 2021 Wild Estate, Waiheke Island Details here
 Meal and screening of  movie "Robert the Bruce" - brought to you by the Scottish Clans Association - Auckland. 19 August 2021 Ryder’s Cinema & Restaurant,
177 Riverdale Rd, Avondale

Full details here

Note: Classified M, no children under 12

Hororata Highland Games

6 November 2021

9am-5pm

Hororata DomainHororata Road, Hororata, Selwyn Details here