Kingsville Highland Games - Where Scottish Tradition Meets the Shores of Lake Erie! On July 27th, 2026, Colasanti’s Tropical Gardens will host the games, which is the only one of its kind in both the Windsor-Essex and Chatham-Kent regions. Over the years, it has become a well-known cultural event celebrating the power, pride, and tradition of the Highlands. Kingsville is the 4th competition on the PPBSO’s schedule and is proud to offer sanctioned competitions in solo piping,

For the past 62 years, the Northumberland Scottish Festival and Highland Games have been celebrating Scottish traditions, and once again, the Port Hope Agricultural Park will come alive with Highland music, competition, and community spirit. Saturday, June 20th, will feature a full day of piping and drumming, with solo competitions beginning at 8:30 a.m., featuring competitors from across Ontario. View the Order of Play here. The Opening Ceremonies and Massed Bands will begin

2026 Ontario Highland Games Season Here we are on the brink of a new Summer season with the Hamilton Gathering only days away - followed by a string of competitions in succession. PPBSO Membership and competition entries are up again this year so we’re looking forward to a busy season. Solo entries at Hamilton are double from last year and Georgetown solo entries are up over 50% from one of their best years last year. Encouragingly, most of the increase in entries are in low

For generations, the Georgetown Highland Games has marked the unofficial start of summer! On Saturday, June 13th, 2026, the Georgetown Fairgrounds will once again transform into a celebration of Scottish culture, community, and tradition as the Georgetown Highland Games celebrates its 51st Anniversary. Established in 1975, the games have become one of Halton Hills most anticipated annual events. At the heart of the day is the unforgettable sound of pipes and drums, creating a

Get ready to celebrate the spirit of Scottish music and culture at the PPBSO Hamilton Highland Gathering OPEN Stage, presented in partnership with YOUR HEALTH Wellness Centre! This exciting mid-day showcase invites musicians of all ages and levels to take the stage and perform in the rich tradition of Scottish heritage. Whether you play the bagpipes, drums, fiddle, or bring your own unique twist! EVENT DETAILS Performances: 3–5 minutes Group Size: 1 to 3 performers Style: Sco

- Report by Brad Davidson, Vice President PPBSO A piobaireachd workshop was held in the Sergeants’ Mess of the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders in Hamilton, Ontario on Sunday May 10, the day after The Livingstone Memorial Invitational Piping Competition. As someone who has received piobaireachd instruction over many years starting with P/M Donald MacLeod and his protégé, Garth Neel, to Colin Maclellan, Ed Neigh, Willie Connell, and finally John Cairns, I can attest to the valu

The Hamilton Highland Gathering is a unique inner-city Piping & Drumming competition featuring both solo and band contests. This event is also the official kick-off to the PPBSO’s competition season, taking place on the first Saturday in June. The event takes place at the Scottish Rite Club, located on Queen Street South, and is one of Hamilton’s most recognizable historic landmarks. Beyond its stunning architecture and rich history, the property is also home to beautifully m

A great day of piping was had on Saturday at the 48th Livingstone Invitational held at the iconic officers mess of the Argyle & Sutherland Highlanders Canada in Hamilton, Ontario. 2026 Overall winner Sean McKeown being presented his trophy and banner by Robert Wallace, President of the Piobaireachd Society, Malkie Bow, President of the PPBSO and Brittany Wright, President of the Niagara-Hamilton Branch of the PPBSO. The day was a roaring success with the morning seeing the co

In the world of pipe bands, there’s one group of people who rarely ask for recognition, yet somehow keep everything running smoothly from the sidelines… the Pipe Band Moms. They’re the ones standing at the edge of the competition circle or quietly off to the side during solos. They’re often seen pulling a wagon overflowing with pipes or drums as well as lawn chairs, and enough snacks to feed half the band, just in case someone forgot to pack a lunch. Pipe Band Moms are expert

With an all-star line up of players and a cracking panel of judges this coming Saturday's Livingstone promises to be a great day of piping. This years MC is our very own Bob Worrall. The days schedule, order of play and online tickets available HERE. (last chance to get online tickets for $20 is Wednesday. Tickets are $25 at the door.) With thanks to our major sponsors: Lillian Livingstone The Piobaireachd Society PPBSO PPBSO Niagara-Hamilton Branch

Special Master Class Piobaireachd Workshop May 10 in Hamilton The Pipers’ & Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) is pleased to announce a special Master Class Piobaireachd Workshop to be held on Sunday, May 10, 2026, from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the historic John Foote Armouries in Hamilton, Ontario. This unique educational event will take place in the storied band room of the Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders Pipes and Drums, offering participants a rare opportunity to l

On April 11th, the prestigious Agnew-Harrison Invitational Drumming Competition returned to the John Weir Foote Armoury in Hamilton, hosted by the PPBSO Niagara-Hamilton Branch. The event once again brought together some of the finest drumming talent for a full day of exceptional competition. Founded in 1984 by Jim Stewart and Jimmy Agnew, the Agnew-Harrison Invitational was created to establish a premier snare drumming contest in Ontario. Originally named in honour of George

The Agnew-Harrison Drumming Invitational is all set for what promises to be a sensational contest this coming weekend! The day will consist of an amateur contest (Grades 1-5) in the morning and afternoon, followed by the professional contest in the evening. We hope to see you this Saturday at John Weir Foote VC Armoury, 200 James Street North, Hamilton, Ontario. ​ Judges Reid Maxwell Chris Bell Craig Stewart Amateur contests start at 10:10 am and the professionals at 5:50

Based on comments from competitors about the lack of detailed feedback on scoresheets, the music committee was asked to consider if there was a better, more detailed way of giving feedback to competitors. Often the only feedback given was the ticking of a box. It should also be noted that the judges score sheets in use today have not changed much in over twenty years. In reviewing the current PPBSO solo score sheets, the music committee opted to remove the quadrant tick box

Ten sanctioned highland games competitions are scheduled for the Ontario 2026 Summer season, kicking off with the Hamilton Highland Gathering on Saturday June 6th. Hamilton is a unique urban backdrop and allows bands and soloists to get the early cobwebs out under a more relaxed setting. This competition is limited to ten grade 3, 4 & 5 bands. Georgetown promises to be another great day of competition and we are again expecting high solo and band entries this year. Kingsville

Any pipers and drummers looking for something to do at the March break? - look no further! Here's an opportunity to sharpen your skills and kick off March Break by joining the one-day youth piping and drumming workshop on Saturday, March 14, 2026 . The workshop, which is being sponsored by the Niagara-Hamilton Branch of the Pipers and Pipe Band Society of Ontario (PPBSO) in partnership with the Ontario Youth Pipe Band, will take place at the Scottish Rite, located at 4 Queen

Isn’t the Winter supposed to be piping & drumming’s quiet season? Not in Ontario - our branches are currently bustling with indoor activities and with further plans to keep us busy right through until the Spring. Meanwhile, bands are busy getting their repertoire ready for a new season that will be upon us before you know it. Board & Committee Activity Let’s start this update with what’s going on behind the scenes with your Board of Directors and the various committees. At o

Any PPBSO solo competitor or band wishing to apply for re-grading must use the designated form. Requests must be submitted by the following deadlines: April 13th for solo competitors March 31st for bands For more details check out the forms page HERE .

Remember to renew your membership by January 15th and avoid the surcharge. MEMBERSHIP DUES FOR 2026 Adults (16 years and over) Your membership fee for 2026 is due, starting January 1st. This can be paid online (renewing members only), money order, cheque, or credit card (Visa/MasterCard). This year, dues have been set at $65.00 (+$8.45 HST). Please observe that a monthly late-payment surcharge of $5.65 (.65¢ HST included) will be assessed. The following schedule details the

Please consider coming out to support your branch by competing or coming out to listen. Round 3 of the Ottawa branch knockouts is coming up on January 10th at the Junior Ranks Mess, 4 Queen Elizabeth Driveway, Ottawa. Registration is open until January 7th. For more details go HERE Round two of the Toronto Branch knockouts is coming up on January 10th at the great new venue of the Peel Police Centre, 7150 Mississauga Road in Mississauga. Registration is open until January 7t