About
The annual celebration of Scottish heritage marches up Sixth Avenue — hundreds of pipers and drummers, clan societies, Highland dancers and Scottish terriers, capping NYC Tartan Week around National Tartan Day.
Where else do hundreds of bagpipers and drummers take over a Midtown avenue at the same time? It's one of the city's most charming smaller heritage parades — compact, welcoming and easy to see up close without the ten-deep crush of the giant Fifth Avenue marches. And the week around it brings whisky tastings, ceilidhs and Scottish cultural events to venues all across the city.
What to expect
A compact, family-friendly parade of an hour or two on a Saturday afternoon, light enough crowds to walk alongside your favorite pipe band, and plenty of kilts, flags and dogs in tartan coats. Grand Marshal and lineup are announced in the lead-up on the Tartan Week site.
Good to know
- Date not yet announced — based on the annual pattern of a Saturday around National Tartan Day (April 6); check nyctartanweek.org
- Route runs up Sixth Avenue from about 44th to 55th Street, typically starting 2pm
- One of the few big-avenue parades where front-row viewing is easy
- Tartan Week events (concerts, tastings, ceilidhs) run citywide in the surrounding days
- B/D/F/M along Sixth Avenue drop you right on the route
Going? Keep it.
Common questions
When will the 2027 date be confirmed?
The National Tartan Day New York Committee typically announces the date and Grand Marshal in winter — watch nyctartanweek.org.
Do I need Scottish roots to join in?
Not at all — spectating is open to everyone, and the organizers even let the public register to march with some contingents.