Sam Heughan to lead New York's Tartan Day Parade for second time as Outlander comes to an end

The Outlander star said that he was “honoured” to be selected as Grand Marshal for the 2026 parade, following his previous turn in the role back in 2016.

He is the third person in the event’s history to act as Grand Marshal twice, following in the footsteps of last year’s representative Alan Cumming, as well as Brian Cox, who led the parade in 2012 and again in 2020.

Speaking about this year’s event, Heughan said: “There is so much to celebrate this year! A decade ago, I was fortunate enough to lead the parade at the beginning of my journey on the hit tv show Outlander.

“This year is a full circle moment as we celebrate our 8th and final season and what better way to celebrate?! This event brings the local and international Scottish community together in such a powerful way, and I’m looking forward to marching up Sixth Avenue, representing my beloved home-land and nation.”

READ MORE: Tartan Day Parade Grand Marshals: Here are all 21 famous faces to have led the New York celebrations

Each April, members of the Scottish diaspora from around the United States descend upon New York for the final day of the city’s Tartan Week, which celebrates the heritage and culture of Scotland.

Held on the Saturday closest to Tartan Day on April 6, the annual parade was first held in 1999 when a small, but enthusiastic, group of Scottish Americans, two pipe bands and a Academy Award-winning actor Cliff Robertson marched from the British Consulate to the UN to mark the occasion.

When is the NY Tartan Day Parade 2026?

This year the New York Tartan Day Parade will take place from 2pm local time on Saturday, April 11. That’s around 7pm in the UK, with the event due to last two hours.

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What is Tartan Day?

Tartan Day celebrates Scottish heritage and the cultural contributions of those from Scotland, as well as members of the Scottish diaspora.

Tartan Day was first recognised in Canada in the 1980s, quickly spreading to other Scottish communities in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and the United States.

What does the Declaration of Arbroath have to do with Tartan Day?

Tartan Day is on April 6 each year. This is significant as it is timed to take place on the same day that the Declaration of Arbroath was signed in 1320.

The United States Senate instituted National Tartan Day on April 6, 1998.