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 |
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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 |
*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
|
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 | |
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: |
NZ & South Pacific Pipe Band Contest (The Nationals) | 10-11 March 2023 | North Hagley Park Special Events area, Christchurch | |
*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 |
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: 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 |
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 - |
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 |
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 Domain, Hororata Road, Hororata, Selwyn | Details here |