The annual event promises to be an afternoon of wonderful Celtic music, Scottish dancing and bush poetry with more than 10 performers gracing the stage from 11am to 4pm.

Pipe master Richard Harris said the Ceilidh (pronounced kay-lee) is a celebration of music and community. It's also a chance for people to become exposed to a different, most positive side to the much maligned bagpipe.

The set list will feature an array of songs to reflect the complexity and depth of the bagpipes, Mr Harris said.

"It's my personal mission to get rid of the bad perception out there. There are a lot of bad bagpipers out there giving us a bad name," he said.

"A badly tuned bagpipe and badly played bagpipe is terrible. We want to show what the bagpipes can do. It's a very interesting instrument.

"The sound it makes - the drones and chanter combine to be quite harmonic. The music can be quite stirring and really sad but also quite happy."

Joining the Queanbeyan Pipes and Drums will be performers including the Canberra Celtic Pipe Band, Canberra Highland Dancers and Queanbeyan Sing Australia.

In its sixth year, Mr Harris said the Ceilidh has become an annual event the community looks out for.

"We had 400 to 600 people through the door last year and we expect as many this year," he said.

"It's a chance for the community see a pipe band up nice and close."

Mr Harris hoped the band might even be able to inspire others to take up the bagpipes.

"We have band members aged from 12-years-old right up to one who is into their 80s," he said.

"Age is no barrier, I guess we'd really like to see some young kids pick it up. Most people have the ability to play, you just need a love of music and enough fingers.

"There are no real restrictions."

The Scottish Ceilidh is a free event and will be held at the Queanbeyan Bicentennial Centre on Sunday, March 15 from 11am to 4pm.