“Ceud mìle fàilte” — a hundred thousand welcomes — and Paeroa is ready to deliver them all.
The unmistakable sound of bagpipes will once again echo across the Hauraki Plains as Paeroa hosts this year’s Highland Games & Tattoo, returning on Saturday, 14 February 2026 for a full day and night celebration of Scottish heritage, strength, music and spectacle.
Now in its 33rd year, the Paeroa Highland Games has grown into one of the region’s most iconic annual events, drawing competitors, performers and visitors from across New Zealand for a festival that blends tradition with family-friendly fun.
Big days, strong arms and stirring music
From early morning, the Paeroa Domain will be alive with action, including Round One of the New Zealand Highland Heavyweight Games, where elite athletes toss the caber and hurl massive weights in the main arena.
Pipe bands, solo pipers and drummers, Highland dancers, woodchoppers, and junior Highland Games for kids ensure there’s always something happening — whether you’re watching world-class competition or letting the kids have a go themselves.
New this year is an expanded Clan Village, featuring a large Scottish-themed market, genealogy displays, a variety stage, and a mouth-watering selection of food and drink. Scottish treats, local products, and family entertainment — including stilt walkers — run throughout the day.
A packed programme
Highlights across the day include:
- Solo piping and drumming competitions from 9am
- Highland dancing and axemen’s chopping carnival
- Junior (Kids) Highland Games
- Clans March and Opening Ceremony, complete with the singing of Flower of Scotland
- Pipe Band contests showcasing top bands performing sets and medleys
- Live entertainment on the expanded Variety Stage, including crowd favourites Boom Boom Deluxe
- SteamPunk Tartan performance late afternoon
- A reimagined Street March, with bands parading back into the Domain and through the castle and into the main arena.
Evening Tattoo: a must-see spectacle
As the sun sets, the focus turns to the Evening Tattoo, a spectacular three-hour family show inspired by the world-famous Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
This year’s Evening Tattoo features:
- Boom Boom Deluxe
- Te Puna o Te Pito Mata (Thames High School)
- Hamilton Caledonian Pipe Band
- 13 pipe bands performing together under lights
- Heavyweight events including the Caber Toss and Farmers Walk
It’s loud, dramatic, and uniquely Paeroa — a true highlight of the summer events calendar.
Make a day (and night) of it
With a Highland Bar overlooking the main arena, markets bursting with local and Scottish goods, continuous entertainment, and something for every age, the Paeroa Highland Games & Tattoo is the kind of event you don’t rush.
Whether you come for the pipes, the power, the pageantry or just a great family day out, Paeroa is ready to welcome you — a hundred thousand times over.
Mark the date: Saturday, 14 February. Paeroa Domain. Don’t miss it. 🏴
TICKETS CAN BE PURCHASED HERE
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