New Zealand Scottish Events Calendar - Scots in Spirit
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New Zealand Scottish Events Calendar

CURRENT PROGRAMME -
SUMMER SEASON

Oct 2025 - April 2026





Scottish Ceilidh Club.
Regular Club nights, 7:30pm start, dance to live music!

31 Oct, 28 Nov St David’s in the Field, Hillsborough Rd, Auckland

More information - contact Anne-Marie.  learnScotsfiddle@gmail.com

Auckland Scottish Fiddle Club.
Regular Club nights, 7.30pm start, play Scottish music with a group.

Oct 3 & 10; Nov 7 & 14. St Luke’s Church, Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland. More information - contact Anne-Marie.  learnScotsfiddle@gmail.com

Tartan Up The Green
11-4pm. bagpipe competition and Highland dancing, family day out.

4 October 2025 Brewtown 27 Blenheim Street, Upper Hutt, Wellington, Details here

Pipe Works - The Sounds Of The Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band
Two shows,  2-3.30pm and 7-8.30pm

18 October 2025 Southwell Performing Arts Centre, 200 Peachgrove Rd, Claudlands, Hamilton Details here

Hororata Highland Games
Highland Dance, Piping & Drumming, all the heavyweight competitions (Tossing the Caber etc), vendors and more. Great family fun.

8 November 2025 Hororata Domain, 102

Hororata Road Hororata

Details here

Kids Christmas Ceilidh.
Free fun for the kids - dancing and Christmas party, 1.30-4.30pm

Thanks to Clan Donald and Clan McLeod Auckland for support.

16 November 2025

Early registration much appreciated for catering numbers!

Auckland Irish Club, Rock Nook Ave, Fowlds Park, Mt Albert, Auckland TO REGISTER - text "DANCE" to Jeanette on 021 024 98576  - see poster details here

Pipes and Brass Christmas Concert - NorthCal Pipe Band

Sadly cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances

23 November 2025

CANCELLED

 

 

St Andrew's Day 30 November every 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.

Jenny Mair Square Day
Competitions for Pipe Bands, solo piping & drumming, Highland Dance, Scottish vendor stalls too!

13 December 2025 The Square, Palmerston North

Brief details here 


Helen McGregor Memorial Medley Trophy (solo piping)
Helen’s dying wish was a piping competition where the best of NZ's pipers can “flair their fingers” & play music of their own choice.
5:30pm start, tickets at the door, supper is served, bar sales available.

30 December 2025 Foyer of the Celtic Barn -  Caledonian Park, Waipu. Details here

Waipu Highland Games
The most entertaining way to END the year!
All-day family fun 9am-5pm - piping, dancing, stalls, kids races, and traditional Highland sports from 9 to 5. Then take a short break and ring in the New Year with a Ceilidh starting at 8pm in the stunning Caledonian Barn (see next entry for details).

31 December 2025-  Scottish Hogmanay!

(Note change of date- now New Year's EVE  (NOT 1st January). This is the second year of this date change! 

Caledonian Park,, Waipu. Details here

Waipu New Year's Eve Ceilidh
See in the New Year with a traditional Scottish Social Gathering - Gaelic folk music, song, dance and convivial company, held at the end of the Waipu Games Day  Enjoy the bagpipes and Celtic music from “Twisty Willow”, the fabulous folk music group.
$25 a head8pm start, finish at 1 am on New Years Day.

31 December through to 1am on 1 January.

Celtic Barn, Caledonian Park,, Waipu. Details here

NZ Gàidhealtachd
2026 Theme: The Sea Kingdoms – Travel and Trade

NZ has a deep Celtic heritage; immerse yourself in Celtic knowledge & skills, arts, language, history, music, dance, values & traditions. 


1 - 7 January 2026

Camp onsite for all (or part) of the week

Maungaturoto Country Club

84 Bickerstaffe Road, Maungaturoto

Details and registration here

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.

7-11 January 2026

Registrations open now

St Andrews College, Christchurch More details and link for registration here
Burns Night
Anniversary of Robert Burns' birth in 1759
25 January every year (but can be on any suitable date around this time)

There may be a Burns night near you - check your local events news. 

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!
Turakina Highland Games
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 
31 January 2026

Turakina Domain, Cameron Road, Turakina

(20 km south of Whanganui on SH3)

Details to come

Paeroa Highland Games& Tattoo
Piping & drumming, Highland dance, Clans, heavyweight Scottish field events, Scottish vendors, Steam Punk, variety acts, and an evening tattoo.

9am-9pm

14 February 2026 Paeroa Domain, Paeroa Details to come

Auckland Centre Band Contest
Pipe Bands from Northland, all parts of Auckland, and as far south as Franklin

22 February 2026 Waikaraka Park 175-243 Neilson St, Onehunga, Auckland Brief details here

Wellington-Hawkes Bay Centre Pipe Band Contest
Hear some great piping and drumming as bands from this region practice for the Nationals in March

28 February 2026 Marist Sports Grounds, 19 Pascal Street, Palmerston North

Contact: nancymartin49@gmail.com

Pipes in the Park
Highland Gathering 10am-5pm with food, fun for the children, Clan and Craft markets contests and performances - piping, drumming and dance!


7 March 2026 Avalon Park, Taita Drive, Avalon, Lower Hutt (Wellington region)

Details here

 

New Zealand Pipe Band Championships ("The Nationals"
Street parade and performances from NZ Bands & even some from Australia and Canada). Competing across grades 1-3 - who will be the best this year?

20-21 March 2026

9am-5pm each day

TET Stadium & Events Centre, 1 Elliot St,Inglewood, Taranaki (16 km southeast of New Plymouth on StateHighway 3).

Details here and here

Easter Hawkes Bay Highland Gathering
Contests for solo Piping & Highland dancing.
4-5 April 2026 Lindisfarne College, Pakowhai Rd,  Hastings Details to come
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) Wear a touch of tartan today to celebrate your Scottish heritage

Unicorn Day
(In Scotland and elsewhere)

Fun fact:The Unicorn is Scotland's national animal & even appears on their Royal Coat of Arms.

9 April every year

Your place? the local park?

Get creative and have some fun!

For more background and ideas, check here and here



NOTE : All events below this point are IN THE PAST.

KEPT HERE FOR HISTORICAL INTEREST



2025 PAST EVENTS 


May - September 2025






Event Date(s) Venue Contact/details
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,  St David’s in the Field, Hillsborough Rd Hillsborough, Auckland

For more information contact Anne-Marie on

learnScotsfiddle@gmail.com

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;  St Luke’s Church, Remuera Road, Remuera, Auckland.

For more information contact Anne-Marie on

learnScotsfiddle@gmail.com

 

Luncheon to celebrate Scottish culture.
Facilitated by Clan Donald, all Clans & others interested in Scottish culture  welcome - wear kilts and tartan!
17 May 2025

Goode Brothers, Botany Town Centre, Auckland.

11:15am start

Text 027 2799176 by 9 May to confirm numbers and get payment details.

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)

1 June 2025

9am-12 noon

(Kings B'Day weekend)

Cambridge (Waikato) 

More details here
 (scroll down) and when you register at kbwe.waibopscd.org.nz

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.

1 June 2025

 7pm start.

(Kings B'Day weekend)

Cambridge Town Hall, Victoria Street, Cambridge 3434

Details here

Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band Centennial Highland Ball
$40pp, limited tickets, get in quick!

14 June 2025

7pm till late

Cambridge Town Hall, Victoria Street, Cambridge 3434

 

More details here

Contact:
info@hamiltoncaledonianpipeband.org.nz

 

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. 

28 June 2025

7-9pm

Celtic Barn, 39 The Centre, Waipu 0510

 

Full details, ticket prices etc here

To book online - TryBooking

Tickets also available at Harcourts Waipu; cash door sales.

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!

28 June 2025

7-10pm

New Plymouth Club, 55 Gill Street, New Plymouth Central

Full details and booking here
Facebook entry here

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.

29 June

Meet at 9:30 for the 10am service

St Andrew's Church, 2 Symonds Street, Auckland 

Want to know the background to the Kirkin' o' the Tartan ceremony? See our blog on the 2019 ceremony here

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

Sweepstake OPEN  -  WIN 2 Tickets to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Eden Park on Fri 20 Feb 2026

Raffle open from 2 July to 10 August 2025. Drawn on 11 Aug 2025 - be in to win!

Sweepstake Tickets available 2 July to 10 August 2025.

Sponsored by Scots in Spirit and Clan Cameron

Tattoo venue is Eden Park, Auckland Full details here

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.

Last day to buy raffle tickets to the Edinburgh Military Tattoo at Eden Park on Fri 20 Feb 2026

Drawn tomorrow (11 Aug).

10 August 2025. Tattoo venue is Eden Park, Auckland Full details here

Ceilidh - Scottish Clans Association, Auckland
Dancing, with live music from the Auckland Scottish Fiddle Club. $15 prepaid, $20 at the door, students free. Family friendly,  4-7pm.

13 September 2025 Harmony Hall, 4 Wynyard Street, Devonport, Auckland More details, book tickets etc here 








PAST EVENTS:  - - - - - -  See below

 November 2024 to April 2025
Event Date Venue Contact/details
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

Details here
Kids Ceilidh - Free!
Dancing and Christmas Party especially for kids. 1:30-4:30pm
10 November 2024 Auckland Irish Club, Rocky Nook Ave, Fowlds Park, Morningside, Auckland. Please register - text "dance" to Jeanette on
021 024 98576 
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.
30 November 2024

John Kinder House, 2 Ayr St, Parnell,  Auckland. 

Hosts:
Scottish Clans Association (Auckland).

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!

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!

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).

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.

30 December 2024 - 
new date.

This event was held on 31 Dec in previous years)

Foyer of the Celtic Barn -  Caledonian Park, Waipu. More details here

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).

New Date!

31 December 2024 -  Scottish Hogmanay.

Caledonian Park, Waipu.

See the Programme and other details on the Games website

Buy tickets online. or at the gate on the 31st.

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”.

1-7 January 2025

Camp onsite for all (or part) of the week

 

 

Maungaturoto Country Club

84 Bickerstaffe Road, Maungaturoto.

 

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

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 

25 January 2025

Turakina Domain, Cameron Road, Turakina

(20 km south of Whanganui on SH3)

Full details of tickets and all activities here

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.

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!

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

8 February 2025 Paeroa Domain, Paeroa Ticket info and full event details on the Games website

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

22 February 2025 Soper Reserve, 95 Newton Street, Mt Maunganui. Contact: cni.centre22@gmail.com

Alistair Brown - House Concert.
Well-known folk singer, raconteur & concertina player, Scottish, Irish and other folk music.

Arranged by the Titirangi Folk Club.

22 February 2025

Glen Eden, Auckland.

Admission
$20 pp

Please call 021 207 7289 for exact location and more details.

Canterbury Centre Pipe Band  contest 
18 bands, includes a market on Saturday am, ensemble judging.
Bring a deck chair, picnic lunch and the family!

22-23 February 2025

Riccarton Bush, 16 Kahu Road, Christchurch

Free Entry!

Contact: kim.robertson@outlook.co.nz

Auckland Centre Pipe Band Contest

Pipe Bands from Northland, all parts of Auckland, and as far south as Franklin. 8am-5pm

 

23 February 2025 Waikaraka Park, Captain Springs Road, Onehunga, Auckland

Brief details here

Contact: auckland.centre@rnzpba.com

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!

1 March 2025 Waitangi Park, 107 Cable St, Wellington Waterfront, Wellington CBD.

Details here 

Contact: pipesinthepark@gmail.com

Queenstown Pipe Band Championships

Last chance for bands to check the competition before the Nationals next weekend! 8am-5pm (approx.) each day

1 - 2 March 2025 Queenstown Recreational Ground,1 Memorial St, Queenstown. Contact: otago.centre@rnzpba.com

NZ Pipe Band Championships ("The Nationals")

7-8 March, 2025 Queens Park, Invercargill Details here

Talisk - a Scottish Folk Rockstar Band
Wildly popular both online and live at festivals in Europe, North America and Asia, now coming to NZ.

18 March 2025 Spiegeltent, Aotea Square, Auckland
9:30pm
Details here
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) Wear a touch of tartan today to celebrate your Scottish heritage

Unicorn Day
(In Scotland and elsewhere)

Fun fact:The Unicorn is Scotland's national animal & even appears on their Royal Coat of Arms.

9 April every year

Your place? the local park?

Get creative and have some fun!

For more background and ideas, check here and here

Ceilidh 
All welcome.
Held in association with the ScotStringNZ annual music school, so there will be great live music!

19 April 2025

Waiatarua Community Hall, 
911 West Coast Road, Waiatarua, Auckland 0604

7.30pm start. $5 unwaged, $10 waged, $15 per family. 

Easter Hawkes Bay Highland Gathering - contests for solo Piping & Highland dancing.

19-20 April 2025 Lindisfarne College, Pakowhai Rd,  Hastings Details here

Concert
Performances by teachers and students of the annual ScotStringsNZ Music School.

 

26 April 2025 Harmony Hall, 4 Wynyard St, Devonport, Auckland 0624  2pm start. $20 at the door.
Past Events, 2024 -  See below

 

Last year

Waipu Highland Games (151st)

1 January 2024 Caledonian Park, Waipu, Northland Details here

Last year

Burns Night - anniversary of Robert Burns' birth in 1759

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.

Last year

Turakina Highland Games (159th)

27 January 2024 Turakina Domain, Cameron Rd, Turakina Details here

Last year

Paeroa Highland Games & Tattoo 

10 February 2024 Paeroa Domain, Paeroa Details here 

Last year

RNZPBA Central North Island Centre Pipe Band contest. Free 1-day event

2 March 2024

Soper Reserve,  Newton Rd, Mt Maunganui.
10.30am on

Sorry no other details.

Last year

RNZPBA Canterbury Centre pipe band contest.
Free 2-day event

2-3 March 2024 Riccarton House/Bush, 16 Kahu Road, Christchurch

See details here

 

Last year

NZ Pipe Band Championships ("The Nationals")

15-16 March 2024 Onewa Domain
Northcote, Auckland’
Details here 

Last year

Easter Hawkes Bay Highland Games (contests for solo Piping & Highland dancing)

30-31 March 2024 Lindisfarne College, Hastings Details to come

Last year

Tartan Day - celebrated today in USA & Canada (NZ & Oz celebrate International Tartan Day on Jul 1)

6 April each year  Anniversary of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320) Wear a touch of tartan today to celebrate your Scottish heritage

Last year

Ceilidh - All ages, all abilities. 
In association with the Auckland Scottish Fiddle Club and ScotsStringNZ annual music school.

20 April 2024 Oratia Bowling Club, 515 West Coast Road, Oratia, Auckland

Last year

Details, tickets etc here

Last year

Traditional Scottish Music Concert.
Musicians from Scotland & Australia with students of ScotsStringNZ's traditional Scottish music school.

27 April 2024 Harmony Hall, 4 Wynyard Street, Devonport, Auckland. Details, tickets etc here

Last year

Clan Cameron NZ Annual Dinner.
Note: All Clans and their members are invited to attend!

4 May 2024

Hawkes Bay Club, 53a Marine Parade, Bluff Hill, Napier.

See images here of this gracious and historic venue

Full details, tickets etc here

Last year

Te Kuiti Pipe Band 75th Jubilee 
Celebration Ceilidh

25 May 2024 Les Munro Civic Centre, Te Kuiti

More details, tickets etc here

For  a brief history of the Band, click here

Last year

Ceilidh in Te Uku
Family fun hosted by Waikato and BOP Scottish Country Dancers

2 June (Sunday) 2024 Te Uku Memorial Hall, 38 Matakotea Road, Raglan 3295

7-9 pm
See full details here

Last year

Hamilton Caledonian Society's Pipe Band Concert "PipeWorks 2024".
Fundraiser, two performances (2pm & 7pm), great music, raffles, half-time refreshments

8 June 2024 Southwell School Performing Arts Centre, 200 Peachgrove Rd, Claudelands, Hamilton See details, buy tickets etc here

Last year

Taranaki Caledonian Pipe Band - Ceilidh 2024 Music & Dance Social.
Annual fundraiser

22 June 2024 New Plymouth Club 7pm start. More details on their Facebook page here

Last year

Kirking of the Tartan
The Scottish Clans Association - Auckland invites you to this annual event.

30 June 2024 (Sunday)

 

St Andrew's Church,
2 Symonds St, Auckland.

Meet at 9:30am for the 10am service, cup of tea & haggis after

Its roots go back to  the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden - see details of this historical ceremony here

Last year

International Tartan Day - celebrated today in NZ and Australia

1 July each year Anniversary of the  repeal of the 1747 Act of Proscription Another chance to wear tartan and celebrate your heritage

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

6 July 2024

‘The Parnell’, 10-20 Gladstone Road, Parnell, Auckland.

6pm for 6.30 pm

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.

Last year

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.

 

Last year

Clan McKenzie "get together"
10am - morning tea and guest speaker.
11am - free tour of the Wigram Airforce Museum.

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

Last year

Friday Night Ceilidh -  7-9pm. Easy dancing called by Noel Armstrong with two touring Scottish musicians playing.
Adults $15, Families $30. 

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.

Last year

Taranaki Pipe Band - Scottish dance (Ceilidh)

Fundraiser for the band. 7pm start; live music from Wilkie Mac.

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)