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TARTAN DAY EVENTS

2001_TartanDayFestival.jpg

2001 National Tartan Day Festival on the National Mall, with the Pipes & Drums of the St. Andrew's Society of Washington, D.C. Photo by B.R. Forbes

National Tartan Day celebrates the influence of Scotland and its people on Canada and the United States. The day is celebrated on April 6, the anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Arbroath in 1320. Here are some of the events commemorating this day in North America.

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CANADA

 

April 9

Tartan Day Pub Night, Toronto, Ontario. An evening of Scottish-Canadian hospitality with a night of Celtic music, culture and fun at Noonan's Pub. Sponsored by the St. Andrew's Society of Toronto.

 

April 23

National Tartan Day Celebration, Ottawa, Ontario. A celebration of heritage and tradition for everyone, including a parade from the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa to Parliament Hill. Sponsored by the Sons of Scotland Pipe Band.

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CALIFORNIA

 

April 1 - 9

Tartan Film Festival, Los Angeles, California. A celebration of Scottish film presented by the St. Andrew's Society Los Angeles.

 

COLORADA

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April 8 – 9

Colorado Tartan Day Festival, Longmont, Colorado. Admission is Free to the Public. Celebrate Celtic Heritage with us, meet the Clans honoring our ancestors. Sponsored by St. Andrew Society of Colorado.

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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

 

April 6

National Tartan Day Symposium, Washington, DC. Speakers will include Chris Thomson, Scottish Government Counsellor USA, Scottish Affairs Office USA; Rt. Hon. Andrew Morrison, Viscount Dunrossil; Donal MacLaren of MacLaren, Chief of Clan Laurin and Convenor, Standing Council of Scottish Chiefs; Prof. Duncan Sim, University of the West of Scotland; Keith MacGregor, North American Board Member, Clan Gregor Society, Scotland; Ian Houston, President, Scottish Business Network; John Bleed, Director, Confederation of British Industry (CBI Washington DC); Peter Wilson, President, Great Scot International; James P. Ambuske, PhD— Historian & Senior Producer, Roy Rosenzweig Center for History & New Media (RRCHNM), George Mason University, Fairfax, VA; Alexandra Duncan, Board Member, Scottish American Women’s Society (SAWS) and Virginia Scottish Games (VSGA). Sponsored by the National Capital Tartan Day Committee.

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April 6

National Tartan Day Reception, Washington, DC. Scottish entertainers will include City of Alexandria Pipe band; Peter Walker, fiddler; Scottish country dancers. Refreshments will be beer, wine and soft drinks; light hors d’ouvres and desserts. Scotch tasting. Sponsored by the National Capital Tartan Day Committee.

 

April 6

Annual National Tartan Day Award, Washington, DC. Presentation to The Honorable John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN ret.) and The Honorable Mike McIntyre (D-NC ret.) Sponsored by the Scottish Coalition USA: American-Scottish Foundation (ASF), Scottish Heritage, USA (SHUSA), The Association of Scottish Games and Festivals (ASGF), Scottish American Military Society (SAMS), and Council of Scottish Clans and Association (COSCA).

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INDIANA

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MINNESOTA

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April 6

Kilt Krash: Tartan Day, Minneapolis, Minnesota. From 4:00 PM to 11:00 PM, everyone is welcome. Hosted by the Twin Cities Scottish Club.

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NEW HAMPSHIRE

 

April 2

Tartan Day Celebration, Peterborough, New Hampshire. Entertainment will include the Scottish Music Orchestra, interspersed with informative and entertaining narrative. Sponsored by the New Hampshire Scottish Music Club.

 

NEW YORK

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April 6 - 24, 2023

The Story of Tartan Day at the Ellis Island National Museum of Immigration from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM every day. Sponsored by Clan Currie Society, the non-profit wing of the Learned Kindred of Currie.

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April 8

Tartan Day Dinner, Rochester, New York. A spirited, buffet dinner with live music, raffles and games to celebrate the anniversary of the Scottish Declaration of Independence. Sponsored by the Scottish Heritage Society of the Rochester NY Area.

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April 15

New York City Tartan Day Parade, New York City, New York.  New York Tartan Day Parade will step off at 2:00 PM at 44th and Sixth Avenue. Sponsored by: American-Scottish Foundation, St Andrews Society of New York, New York Caledonian Club, and Clan Campbell Society.

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April 13

ASF Scottish Supper Club, New York City, New York. Preview od "Scots" a new production from the award winning team of Claire Mackenzie and Scott Gilmore of Noisemaker. Sponsored b: American-Scottish Foundation.

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April 14 – 16

Free Performances at Fountain Terrace at Bryant Park, New York City, New York. April 14 performances will include: Craig Weir, Sydney Scots College Pipe Band, St Columba's School Pipe Band and Scottish Police Community Choir. April 15 performances will include: Scottish Police Community Choir, Morrison Academy Pipe Band, Oban Pipe Band, Shot of Scotch. April 16 Performances will include Whisky Kiss, Alan Frew and Hunter and McMustard. Sponsored b: American-Scottish Foundation.

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April 14

Dr. Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon, King of Arms, New York City, New York, and via Zoom

This talk will feature "Arms for the Bard" and is sponsored by the NY Genealogical & Biographical Society & American Scottish Foundation. The Lord Lyon will be joined by Alan Beck of the Robert Burns World Federation. Sponsored b: American-Scottish Foundation.

 

PENNSYLVANIA

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April 15

Pittsburgh Tartan Day, Bethel Park, Pennsylvania. Celebration with vendors, food, clans, workshops, entertainers, and raffles. Sponsored by the St. Andrew’s Society of Pittsburgh.

 

SOUTH CAROLINA

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March 30 – April 2

Tartan Day South Highland Games & Celtic Festival, Cayce, SC.

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April 14

Charleston National Tartan Day Dinner, Daniel Island, South Carolina. Pipes and Drums, Cocktails and Scottish Harps, Haggis Ceremony, Plated Dinner. Black-Tie, Mess dress, Highland Evening dress; Miniatures. Sponsored by The Robert Burns Society of Charleston.

 

TEXAS

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March 31

Tartan Day at the Alamo, San Antonio, Texas. Clans may place floral bouquets at the Alamo. Sponsored by the Scottish Society of San Antonio  and the San Antonio Highland Games Association.

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April 6

BABC Texas Annual Tartan Day Celebration, Houston, Texas. In person panel, refreshments and light bites. Sponsored by the British-American Business Council Texas.

 

VIRGINIA

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April 5

Tartan Day 2023 Celebration, Norfolk, Virginia. Come join for a catered event at the Norfolk Masonic Temple. Sponsored by Scottish Society of Tidewater.

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April 6

2023 Tartan Day Concert, Virginia Beach. With the Tidewater Pipes & Drums at the Trashmore Park. Sponsored by the Tidewater Pipes & Drums.

 

WASHINGTON

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April 1

National Tartan Day Educational Observance, Spokane, Washington. Discussion of Scottish history, piping and drumming, Highland dance, poetry reading, genealogy, storytelling and slide show on Scotland. Sponsored by the St. Andrew’s Society of the Inland Northwest.

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If you have an event that is not listed, please send the information to Bart Forbes at COSCA@bforbes.com.

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