NYC Tartan Day Parade Registration FAQ’S 

When is the 2024 NYC Tartan Day Parade? 

The 2024 NYC Tartan Day Parade will be Saturday, April 6, 2024.  The parade steps off at 2:00 p.m. at West 44th Street and marches up 6th Avenue to 55th Street.  The parade line up will be announced one week prior to the parade. 

Where do we line up the day of the parade? 

Line up for the parade will begin at 1:00 p.m. and will be on the side streets near 6th Avenue and West 44th Street.  The official line of march will be posted on the www.nyctartanweek.org website one week in advance of the parade with detailed instructions on where you will line up.  You will also receive an email from our registration team with reminders and instructions in advance on where to check in prior to line up. 

How do I register? 

Click on the registration link on our website or find us on Eventbrite and fill out the simple questions and hit submit.   Be sure to save and/or print your ticket.  You will know that you have successfully registered when you get a confirmation email from Eventbrite (if you do not get an email check your spam or junk folder).  If you are having trouble, email registration@nyctartanweek.org and one of our registration team members will be happy to help! 

What is the deadline to register? 

Registration will close on March 15, 2023.  We cannot accept any registration after the deadline in order to adequately prepare the line of march for distribution one week prior to the parade. 

I registered for the parade but did not receive a confirmation email.  Am I registered? 

You will receive confirmation from Eventbrite that confirms your registration and gives you the option to print out your registration ticket.  If you did not receive an email from Eventbrite, please check your spam/junk folder in your email.  If you still do not find your confirmation, email registration@nyctartanweek.org for assistance. 

What categories are accepted for parade registrations? 

Pipe and Drum Bands 

Scottish Clans or Clan Organizations 

Canines – individuals with a Celtic breed of dog or dog groups such as rescue organizations for Celtic dog breeds (See FAQ about canine registration for acceptable dog breeds). 

Clubs, Businesses and Organizations – Girl or boy scout troupes, Scottish game organizations, book or movie fan clubs, companies that promote or sell Scottish wares or cultural experiences, etc. 

Dance/Theatre/Entertainment – Scottish dance companies, theatre groups, bands (not pipes and drums), festivals, etc.7) 

Friends of Scotland – any individual or group with less than seven (7) participants. 

Jock Nisbet Memorial Band – any individual or group of less than seven (7) participants that play bagpipes or drums. 

University/College – Schools, alumni associations, or groups affiliated with a Scottish University or College. 

How many people do I need in order to register as a group? 

To register as a group in the parade, you must have seven (7) or more participants.  You will be required to carry a banner that displays the name of your group or organization in the parade. Only one registration is required per group.  Please do not have each member of your group register individually.   Please have one member of your group register everyone and be the point of contact for your group. If you have less than seven (7) participants, we invite you to register as a Friend of Scotland individual.  If you are a lone piper or drummer that would like to participate, we invite you to register with our Jock Nisbet Memorial Band.  Links to the required music are on our website. 

I am a member of a clan or organization that would like to register to march in the parade.  Does each member of my organization need to register? 

To avoid confusion and to have an accurate count of the size of each parade entry, the registration team requests each organization designate ONE lead point person. That person should be the sole person responsible for registering the entire group.  Please do not have each member of your group register individually. 

Do I need to be a part of an organization, clan, or business to register as a group? 

You can create a group of seven (7) or more participants to march as a group in the parade.  You will be required to carry a banner that displays your group’s name. Please do not have each member of your group register individually.   Please have one member of your group register everyone and be the point of contact for your group. If you have less than seven (7) participants, we invite you to register as a Friend of Scotland individual.  If you are a lone piper or drummer that would like to participate, we invite you to register with our Jock Nisbet Memorial Band.  Links to the required music is on our website. 

I am a member of a registered clan or organization, but what if I don’t know if anyone will be marching in the parade from that clan/organization? 

We love helping people connect with each other and their clans or organizations!  Go to our website at www.nyctartanweek.org and download our official Tartan Week App (powered by WADEX) to see the latest listing of groups and organizations that have registered for the parade.  Email the registration team at registration@nyctartanweek.org and we will help you connect with the point person for your clan or organization!  If there is not a group already registered, you can create a group of seven (7) or more individuals together to march with you or register as an individual and we will put you with our “Friends of Scotland” group. 

Do I have to know the exact number of people in my group at the time of registration? 

The parade organizers will need to have the exact number of people in your group before the close of registration March 15, 2023 (or sooner if possible).  Our registration team will send out reminders to make sure you have your final count in.   You need to have at least seven (7) individuals in order to qualify as a group and carry a banner that displays your group’s name. 

I am just a lad or lass that loves all things Scottish that will be in town and would like to march in the parade.  Am I allowed to register? 

If you have less than seven (7) participants, we invite you to register as a Friend of Scotland individual.  If you are a lone piper or drummer that would like to participate, we invite you to register with our Jock Nisbet Memorial Band.  Links to the required music are on our website.  We welcome all and want everyone that would like to celebrate Scotland and Scottish heritage to experience the excitement of marching in our parade. 

I am a human that has a four-legged Celtic dog that runs my life.  Are we allowed to participate in the parade together? 

Absolutely!  We love to have our fur babies join us in the parade!  Simply register as a Celtic Canine in the parade.  The same rules apply for groups of seven (7) or more humans marching as a group.  Only Celtic breeds are allowed to march.  Breeds that are being accepted are: 

Terriers: West Highland, Scottish, Cairn, Dandie Dinmont, Border, or Skye 

Herders/Collies: Bearded, Border, Smooth, Rough, Shetland Sheepdog 

Hunting Hounds: Scottish Deerhound, Wolfhound, Gordon Setter, Golden Retriever 

In addition, due to sanitation concerns, all dogs must march in the designated dog section of the parade.  Mascots or dogs marching with other groups is strictly prohibited. 

I am a piper or drummer that is not affiliated with a band at this time.  Can I still march in the parade? 

If you are a lone piper or drummer that would like to participate, we invite you to register with our Jock Nisbet Memorial Band.  Links to the required music are on our website.  We welcome all and want everyone that would like to celebrate Scotland and Scottish heritage to experience the excitement of marching in our parade. 

Are there any dress requirements for the parade? 

There is no theme or dress requirement for the parade.  Kilts, Tartan and anything that shows off your Scottish pride is obviously encouraged! 

What are the rules for marching in the parade? 

Line up in the designated spot given to you in the line of march.  Changes in the line of march cannot be made without prior approval of the parade committee.  The line of march will be distributed one week prior to the parade. 

Walk in an organized fashion such as rows or a choreographed formation. The designated point person must ensure that participants stay organized and maintain 10-15 feet between you and the group directly in front of you.     

You must have permission to distribute any literature or material to spectators along the parade route (this is typically designated for our parade sponsors).  Please contact president@nyctartanweek.org if you are interested in becoming a 2023 sponsor).   

Parade participants are prohibited from throwing or launching anything into the crowd.   

Firearms or any type of discharge that includes a fire or explosions are strictly prohibited.  

Motor vehicles are not permitted to be in the parade.  Prams or small individual motorized scooters for individuals with disabilities must be pre-approved by the registration team by emailing registration@nyctartanweek.org.