Glasgow prepares for global takeover as Piping Live! and the World Pipe Band Championships return for 2026
Glasgow is set to become the global beating heart of traditional music this August as the city welcomes the return of Piping Live! and the World Pipe Band Championships.
From 9 to 15 August, thousands of musicians and spectators from across the globe will descend upon the city for a week-long celebration of piping, drumming, and culture.
Piping Live! 2026 kicks off a week of high-energy performances featuring everything from intimate solo recitals to experimental folk-fusion.
This year’s highlights include the newly-added Drum Corps Series, where four of the world’s leading Grade 1 drum corps take to the festival’s Centre Stage to perform their full competition sets ahead of the World Pipe Band Championships.
Also returning are fan-favourites such as the R.G. Hardie & Co. Masters Solo Piping Competition, which kickstarts the week, and the Lunchtime Recital Series featuring a rare performance from world-renowned New Zealand piper Murray Henderson.
The festival’s programming at the Centre Stage showcases a selection of the finest talent in the traditional music scene today. The first headliner performing is the Ailís Sutherland Band. Led by the award-winning piper and whistle player, the group is celebrated for their fresh, contemporary arrangements and Sutherland’s soulful, virtuosic playing. Joining the headline bill are Gary Innes and Ewen Henderson, bringing a masterclass in West Coast energy and melodic brilliance to the Glasgow stage, and 'Gaelic Supergroup' Dàimh, known for blending intricate piping with driving rhythms.
Other stand-out highlights of the jam-packed programme take place in event area The Bothy, with everything from Ceilidh Tots for wee ones, to book launches, performances and more. Throughout the week the festivities carry on into evening concerts, including fusion bands MAL and The Nexus Project at The Glasgow School of Art, as well as Ceol Nua, a concept which celebrates the bagpipe as a versatile tool for modern sound design.
Flagship events such as the Alasdair Gillies Memorial Recital Challenge and the G1 Reeds International Quartet Competition also make their return to the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall's Strathclyde Suite for this year's festival.
The week reaches a sensational close with the 2026 World Pipe Band Championships on Friday 14 and Saturday 15 August at Glasgow Green.
Each year, this iconic spectacle attracts thousands of visitors to the city to experience the powerful sights, sounds and atmosphere of the occasion.
Organised by The Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association and delivered by Glasgow Life, the prestigious annual contest brings together more than 8,000 of the world’s finest pipers and drummers to go head-to-head as they compete to be crowned World Champions.
As the standout event in the international competitive pipe band calendar, the 2025 'Worlds' saw 15 countries represented by 207 bands, including 53 from overseas, with competitors travelling from as far afield as Australia, Oman and Zimbabwe.
Glasgow City Council Convenor for Culture, Sport and International Relations, and Chair of Glasgow Life, Bailie Annette Christie, said: “As a UNESCO City of Music, Glasgow is proud to host the world’s biggest week of piping each August. With both Piping Live! and The World Pipe Band Championships taking place here, there is no better place on earth to enjoy the sights, sounds and spectacle of world-class piping.
“These landmark events are highlights of Glasgow’s cultural calendar, attracting thousands of participants and spectators from across the globe, while showcasing the city on an international stage and supporting our visitor economy.
“Renowned as the worldwide home of piping, it’s an honour for Glasgow to host this much-loved festival and hugely prestigious championships. We cannot wait to welcome audiences from across Scotland and around the world to celebrate our culture, heritage, and music this summer.”
Rob Dickson, VisitScotland Director of Industry and Events, added: “Piping Live! is an unmissable week in Scotland’s events calendar. It is fantastic to be supporting the festival once again as it continues to go from strength to strength, bringing together performers and visitors from across the country and the globe, and demonstrating why Scotland is a world-leading tourism and events destination.
“This year has another exciting line up, culminating in the must-see World Pipe Band Championships. We look forward to hearing the city come alive in August, connecting communities and our visitors with Scotland’s musical heritage."
Further details on Piping Live! – which is organised by The National Piping Centre and supported by Glasgow Life – and the 2026 World Pipe Band Championships can be found here. Both events are made possible by support from EventScotland, part of VisitScotland.