On the 3^rd-5^th July 2026 the International Guild of Town Pipers will be providing free entertainment around the city of York. Bands of musicians from England and Europe, wearing colourful medieval livery and playing lively tunes on authentic instruments, will perform at various locations.

The bands taking part are: – The York Waits, The Leeds Waits, The Gloucester Waits, The Worcester Waits, The Doncaster Waites, The Colchester Waits, de Mowbrays music, and The Stadspijpers van ‘s-Hertogenbosch

On Friday the 3^rd of July from 3.30 approx, there will be a grand procession via Goodramgate, Low Petergate, Stonegate and St Helens Square to the Mansion House arriving at 4.30pm

On Saturday the 4^th of July from 11am, there will be performances at St Anthonys Gardens (off Peasholme Green), Barley Hall, Holy Trinity Goodramgate, the pocket park by All Saints church on High Ousegate and St Sampsons Square. These will culminate with the Great Noise in St Sampsons Square at 4pm, when all the bands will come together to play.

On Sunday the 5^th of July starting at 10.30, the bands of the International Guild of Town Pipers will accompany the Mystery Plays as they perform around the city. The plays will finish at 5.30pm approximately. Locations include Refectory Gardens off Deangate, Kings Square, St Sampsons Square and Deans Park behind the Minster.

The International Guild of Town Pipers would like to acknowledge the support of the following organisations.

The Scops Arts Trust

York Festival Trust

Bedern Hall Foundation

The National Centre for Early Music

York Conservation Trust (St Anthony’s Gardens)

Make it York

York Archaeological Trust (BarleyHall)

The City of York Council

The Churches Conservation Trust (Holy Trinity Goodramgate)

All Saints Pavement