This prestigious event honors Scottish heritage, culture, and contributions to America, bringing together Scots and Scottish-Americans from across the country.
Program details will be announced early in 2026. 2025 performers included The Force – championship drum major demonstration team; the Shot of Scotch Highland Dancers; pipers and drummers from the St. Columcille United Gaelic Pipe Band, Scottish juggler John Grimaldi and members of the Fling Together dancers and the McAngus School of Highland Dance.
The Tartan Day on Ellis Island exhibit is hosted in the Special Exhibits area on the 3rd floor of the Ellis Island Museum. Admission to the Museum and the Tartan Day exhibit is free; however, you will need to purchase a ferry ticket. Advance booking is highly recommended!
Hosted as part of the global celebration of Tartan Week, Tartan Day on Ellis Island is one of the United States’ major annual Scottish heritage events. Each year is highlighted by an exhibit exploring a specific aspect of Scottish-American history and culture. The celebration also features performances by a host of Scottish artists, including pipers and drummers, Highland dancers, fiddlers, jugglers and harpists.
The event is produced by the Learned Kindred of Currie, a leading Scottish-American cultural and educational non-profit dedicated to preserving and promoting Scottish and Highland heritage and the arts through a wide variety of programs.
The Learned Kindred of Currie is dedicated to working hand-in-hand with cultural and heritage organizations worldwide to further the reach and impact of Scottish culture. By collaborating together, we amplify our efforts to educate, entertain, and connect our community and support the arts.
If your organization shares a passion for cultural heritage and has a vision for how we could work together, we invite you to reach out.
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