Celebrate Alexandria’s Scottish heritage as bagpipes and drums provide the soundtrack!
Upcoming Events
St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church
College Park, MD
Sunday, Nov. 15, 2026 - 9:30 a.m.
An annual November tradition, the band is honored to perform during the 10:30 a.m. worship service at St. Andrew's Episcopal Church. Located at 4512 College Avenue in College Park, Maryland, St. Andrew's welcomes all to join in worship and enjoy this special musical tradition.
Christ Church
La Plata, MD
Sunday, Nov. 22, 2026 - 11:00 a.m.
Christ Church, 112 Charles St., La Plata, MD, invites you to its annual festive worship service featuring the traditional blessing of family tartans, with music provided by the City of Alexandria Pipes & Drums.
The Kirking of the Tartans is said to date back to the days when the English forbade members of Scottish clans from wearing their tartans and playing the bagpipes. Today, the tradition celebrates the freedom to “show the colors” of Scottish clans and their heritage.
Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk Parade
Saturday, Dec.5, 2026
11:00 a.m. -1:00 p.m.
The City of Alexandria Pipes & Drums is proud to have participated in the annual Scottish Christmas Walk Parade for more than 50 years. This beloved holiday tradition celebrates Alexandria's rich Scottish heritage and features pipe and drum bands, Scottish clans proudly wearing their tartans, terriers and hounds, and a variety of community organizations.
Join us as we help kick off the Christmas season in the heart of Old Town Alexandria. The parade begins at 11:00 a.m. and concludes at 1:00 p.m. with the spectacular Massed Bands performance, bringing together all participating pipe and drum bands for a memorable musical finale.
The American University 2026
Fall Commencement Ceremony
Sunday, December 20, 2026
The band has been a staple of the American University experience since 1984, when the president surprised students on campus by replacing the usual “Pomp and Circumstance” with a Scottish procession at commencement. Since then, bagpipes have been a memorable part of all academic ceremonies on campus, including commencement, convocation, and inaugurations. (Ticketed event)
