Piping Live! Is an annual week-long celebration of bagpipes from across the world, embracing Scotland’s heritage and that of piping cultures from around the globe. Based in Glasgow city centre, it is now celebrating its 22nd edition, having been delivered in-person and online continuously since August 2004.
The festival coincides with the World Pipe Band Championships, held annually on Glasgow Green and run by the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and Glasgow Life.
In 2004, Piping Live! came to the streets of Glasgow, with around 50 events, including sessions in Glasgow bars, recitals and a small number of concerts. From this beginning, the festival has refined its offering to become one of the city's key events in the year. Initially using George Square, then moving to an extended footprint at The National Piping Centre, it had developed a programme of over 150 events in multiple locations across the city to watch free and ticketed performances.
In 2025, Piping Live! will see its biggest change since its 2018 move, with the development of a brand new Festival Site at The National Piping Centre. This will include the Centre Stage, which will host performances by emerging talent, international artists, pipe bands and a headline act each day. The Bothy tent will be an acoustic space, with more live music, ceilidh tots each morning, book launches, talks and more through out the day. We also have a new sponsor for our bar, with Belhaven becoming our partner and supporting us to bring in this fantastic new site. This all means and expanded event at McPhater Street, with more music, more to enjoy across the day and real festival feel!
Find our more and get your tickets at our events page
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