Every spring, the streets of Manhattan come alive with the sound of bagpipes, colorful tartans, and a celebration of Scottish heritage. The NYC Tartan Day Parade brings together pipers, pipe bands, Highland dancers, Scottish clans, and visitors from around the world for one of New York City’s biggest celebrations of Scottish culture.
The 29th annual parade takes place on Saturday, April 10, 2027, marching up Sixth Avenue in Manhattan. As part of NYC Tartan Week, the event celebrates the enduring connections between Scotland and the United States. For pipers and drummers, it is an exciting opportunity to share their musical traditions with thousands of spectators.
Marching through Manhattan alongside fellow musicians is an unforgettable experience. Established pipe bands can represent their organizations on an international stage, while individual pipers and drummers can join other musicians to help fill the streets with the unmistakable sound of Scottish music. Whether you’re traveling with a band or attending NYC Tartan Week on your own, there’s a way to participate.
The NYC Tartan Day Parade began in 1999, when two pipe bands and a small group of Scottish Americans, led by Grand Marshal and Academy Award-winning actor Cliff Robertson, marched from the British Consulate to the United Nations. What started as a modest gathering has grown into a major celebration of Scottish heritage, bringing thousands of marchers and spectators to Manhattan each year. The parade celebrates National Tartan Day on April 6, recognized by the U.S. Senate in 1998 to honor the contributions of Scottish Americans to the United States.
Today, the parade is the highlight of NYC Tartan Week, a wider program of Scottish cultural events, performances, and gatherings.
The event is organized by the National Tartan Day New York Committee, a nonprofit organization formed to celebrate Scottish heritage, strengthen connections between Scotland and the United States, and create opportunities for people to share their culture. Its member organizations include the Saint Andrew’s Society of the State of New York, the New York Caledonian Club, the American Scottish Foundation, and the Clan Campbell Society of North America.
For pipers and drummers, participating means more than marching in a parade. It is a chance to keep Scottish musical traditions alive, connect with musicians from around the world, and introduce new generations to pipe band culture. Every participant helps make this celebration of heritage and music possible.
Registration is FREE and closes March 23, 2027, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
https://nyctartanweek.org/participate
