Carols & Kilts 2025 at Shongweni Market
Sat Nov 29, 15:00 - Sat Nov 29, 17:00
Shongweni Farmer's Market
ABOUT
Presenting the thirteenth annual production of Carols & Kilts with Durban Caledonian Society Pipe Band and Friends - an opportunity to kick off the festive season with a blend of highland music and Christmas carols.
- Saturday 29 November 2025 - 15:00 to 17:00 - Shongweni Farmers' and Craft Market
- Sunday 30 November 2025 - 14:00 to 16:00 - D.L.I. Hall (tickets at https://www.quicket.co.za/events/340364-carols-kilts-2025-at-dli-hall/)
Featuring:
- A medley of well-known Christmas carols arranged for the highland bagpipe
- An array of talented supporting vocalists and maestros on electric, acoustic and bass guitar, keyboard, drum-kit, saxophone, and the noble cowbell
- Old bagpipe favourites
- A few more contemporary sets requiring fancy fingerwork and dextrous drumming
- Displays of skill and agility from the dancers of Celtic Heartbeat
This year the show returns to the Shongweni Farmer's Market for a relaxing musical Saturday evening overlooking the top of the Shongweni valley. A range of food and beverages will be available there.
- Adults: R120
- Pensioners & Under 12: R100
- Under 3: Free
- No BYO food & drink - please support the venue.
POSTER
PIPE BAND
The Durban Caledonian Society Pipe Band, or "Durban Callies PB" for short, consists entirely of volunteers who do it for the love of music and camaraderie. The band competes in the premier grade at the South African Pipe Band Championships, consisting of 3 Highland Gatherings held throughout the year - one in KZN and the other two in Gauteng. Traveling, uniforms, and instruments are not cheap to obtain and maintain, and the band is not sponsored or externally funded, so our annual concerts are a way to raise funds on top of having a great time playing good music and entertaining you, our beloved fans.
Pipe Major Rohann Ludick has been our fearless leader for almost as long as we've been putting on Carols & Kilts. He learned to play the bagpipes serving in the South African Military Health Services Pipe Band, and has competition experience with successful bands in the UK, as well as extensive life experience, giving him the wisdom and patience to deal with the rest of us.
Aka "Jimmy the Stick", "Jimbo", or "the other Penberthy", James took over the reigns as Drum Sergeant (or colloquially "Lead Tip") this year, leading our drum corps from strength to strength. With his siblings, and fellow side-drummer Trevor, James helps bring the average age of the band down to a more reasonable level.