Be Inspired: Events and Festivals

Events and Festivals in Perthshire 

Step into Perth, Perthshire and Kinross-shire this year, and discover big events, a great choice of quality, independent shops and a whole area brimming with fun for all the family!

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Perth Christmas Lights Switch On

Perth City Centre, Sat 23rd Nov

Get ready for a magical weekend as Perth’s Christmas Lights Switch-On returns! On 23rd November, the city will come alive with festive fun for all the family.

Enjoy a free weekend packed with entertainment, including live performances from local and national artists, dazzling street entertainers, festive music, Santa's Grotto, and of course, the spectacular Christmas parade led by Santa himself! 

Head for the Highlights of Perth's Christmas Lights Switch On Event

• Christmas Parade - Starting at Thimblerow and weaving its way through the streets of Perth, this annual treat is a must-join event!
• Tay Street - Join compere Lionel Vinyl, dance music legends Cascada, Massaoke, The Crom, The Owls, Cool Britannia, and more.
• Horsecross Plaza Christmas Stage - Get ready to welcome a host of family favourites to the Christmas Stage at Mill Street - your little ones will be enthralled!
• Horsecross Plaza - Our family zone welcomes Santa's Grotto
• George Street - Photo opportunities and festive fun with ice artists and the Cairngorm Reindeer.
• Horizon Car Park, Mill Street - Horne's Pleasure Fairs will deliver a bright, carnival atmosphere.
• Throughout the City Centre - Walkabout characters, stilt walkers and street entertainment, pipe bands and plenty of Christmas spirit!

Remember, our festive activities are free of charge* meaning those who are finding things tough right now can let their hair down for a few hours and enjoy a day of fun (*excluding the funfair).

Find out more including acts and timings >

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Perth's Musical Lantern Parade

Perth City Centre, Sun 24th Nov

This fun Sunday event includes a Christmas Stage with live acts and our beautiful, atmospheric Christmas Lantern and Nativity Parade – complete with craft workshops, carols, mince pies and hot tea at the end! 

Expect an afternoon of live music from local acts and famous names, outdoor dancing, street entertainment, Santa's Grotto, and oh so much more. 

Head for the Highlights 

• Horsecross Plaza Christmas Stage - From Last Order to ELO Beatles Beyond, this is one not to be missed! 
• Horsecross Plaza - Our family zone welcomes Santa's Grotto.
• George Street - Photo opportunities, festive fun and the Cairngorm Reindeer.
• King Edward Street and St John's Place - Visit the Christmas Cabin Trail with creatives and producers from across the area.
• Throughout the City Centre - Walkabout characters, small funfair rides, stilt walkers and street entertainment.

Remember, our festive activities are free of charge* meaning those who are finding things tough right now can let their hair down for a few hours and enjoy a day of fun (excluding the small funfair rides).

Find out more including acts and timings >

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Santa's Grotto and Cairngorm Reindeer

Perth City Centre, Fri 22nd to Sun 24th Nov

Santa can't wait to meet all of the lovely children from Perth and to hear your Christmas wish list. Make sure to come with a big smile and happy heart. 

He'll be flying in for three days:

• Friday 22nd November - 3pm to 7pm
• Saturday 23rd November - Midday to 8pm
• Sunday 24th November - Midday to 6pm

There's one free gift per child under 12. You do not need to book to see Santa, however please do expect to queue.

if you visit on the 23rd or 24th, you will also enjoy the Cairngorm Reindeers who will be setting up home on George Street. 

 

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The Sound of Music

Pitlochry Festival Theatre, 15 Nov to 22 Dec

This wonderful Christmas Show is recieving rave reviews.

it follows the story of a young novice nun Maria, whose free spirit has trouble fitting in with the regulations of the convent.

She leaves to be a governess to seven motherless children, while contemplating whether to commit to life as a nun.

Maria transforms the von Trapp family home from a place of strict rules to one filled with joy, laughter, and music.

In the process, she falls in love with the children, capturing their hearts and finding herself drawn to their widower father, Captain von Trapp. 

Everyone's favourite sing along story.

Accessible Performances - Audio Described: 14 Dec 2pm, BSL: 15 Dec 2pm, Captioned: 11 Dec 2pm, Relaxed and Dementia Friendly: 12 Dec 2pm.

Find out more and book >

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Christmas Markets in Perthshire and Kinross

Various dates and locations

We all love a Christmas Market and a festive shopping event, which is why we've pulled together some of the area's best events.

From the city wide four week Christmas Cabin Trail, to the truly wonderful village events taking place around the area, there are plenty of opportunites to shop, eat, drink and be merry! 

Some of our highlights:

• Perth Festive Cabins, 22nd Nov to 19th Dec
• Kinross Festive Market, 23rd Nov
• Crieff Fair and Market, 30th Nov
• The Handmade Show, 1st Dec
• Perth Creative Exchange Winter Market, 30th Nov to 1st Dec
• Aberfeldy Christmas Market and Craft Fair, 30th Nov
• Christmas in the Tattie Barn, 7th and 8th Dec

Discover them all >

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Innerpeffray Library Festive Events

Various Events and Dates

Wreath Making Workshop, Sat 23rd Nov

Make A Christmas Wreath with Gwyneth Hardy on Saturday 23rd November, 2.30-5pm.

The perfect way to get in the festive spirit with this creative session and come home with one (or two) woodland wreaths made with materials from the garden and local countryside.

Tickets are £35 including all materials and refreshments – tea, coffee or mulled punch and cake! 

Book your place > 

Carols in the Library, Sat 30th Nov

The Friends of Innerpeffray Library are delighted to present the Innerpeffray Singers, bringing cheer to the beginning of the festive season with two performances of carols and readings in the Library on Saturday 30th November at 3pm and 6pm.

Complete with a Scottish twist for St Andrew’s Day! Tickets are £15.

Book your place > 

Carols in the Chapel, Sun 1st Dec

Celebrate the beginning of Advent with a traditional carol concert led by the Innerpeffray Singers in the special atmosphere of the 16th-century Innerpeffray Chapel. Wrap up warmly! Tickets £15, under-16s £5, under-5s free.

Book your tickets here >

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Kinross Winter Blues Blowout

King George V Rugby Club, Sat 23 Nov

Blow away those winter Blues with three great local acts playing a selection of Blues and Soul and Rock 'n Roll.  

Burleigh Blues Band - smoothest sounds for miles around

Tich Frier - life and soul of any party

Dirt Road Collective - standing at the crossroads

Tickets £8 available from Light Up My Heart in Milnathort or Morgans Estate Agent's in Kinross or online. 

Book tickets here>

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Author Talk from Alex Gray

Loch Leven Community Library, Sun 24 Nov 

KLEO (Kinross-shire Local Events Organisation) and Loch Leven Community Library are delighted that award winning crime author Alex Gray is coming to Kinross as part of the Kinross-shire Winter Festival. 

Alex Gray is the Sunday Times bestselling author of the Detective William Lorimer series.

Born and raised in Glasgow, she has been awarded the Scottish Association of Writers' Constable and Pitlochry trophies for her crime writing and is the co-founder of the international Bloody Scotland Crime Writing Festival.

A chance to meet this bestselling author and have your books signed. Tickets £6 available at Loch Leven Community Library or online.

Book online here > 

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Kinross Kacophony Orchestra and Tullis Russell Community Band Concert

Loch Leven Community Campus, Wed 27 Nov at 8pm

A joint concert with the Kacophony Orchestra led by Dougie Flower, and the Tullis Russell Community Band from Glenrothes led by Denise Ward.

This promises to be a fun evening with a great variety of music. Tickets £6 at door or book online.

Book online here > 

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Mother Goose

Perth Theatre, Fri 29 Nov to Tue 31 Dec

Price: £16 - £33
Location: Main House, Perth Theatre

Everyone’s favourite Christmas night out, the 2024 Panto at Perth Theatre is the wonderful tale of Mother Goose.

This year’s colourful characters include Mother Gabi Goose, Greta Garbage, and Grayson, Mother Goose's bird-daft, Springwatch obsessed son.  You can expect lots of panto themed nonsense, a vibrant and colourful show, and a whole heap of Christmas spirit to carry you through the season… OH YES YOU CAN! 

Relaxed performances: Sun 15 Dec: 13:00 + Fri 27 Dec: 14:00

Find out more information here >

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Aberfeldy Santa Day and Fair

Aberfeldy Town Centre, Sat 30th Nov

Head along and join the fun in Aberfeldy on Saturday 30th November. Santa and his reindeer are coming to town for a reindeer parade at 12 noon, led by the Pipe Band followed by Santa and his sleigh pulled by his cutest reindeer.

Why not join Santa’s Fancy Dress Parade? There are prizes up for grabs, meet up at 11.40am at Aberfeldy business park to participate.

Then gather in the Square by Santa’s Grotto – there will be market stalls, children’s entertainment, a festive arts & crafts fair in the Birks Cinema mezzanine, carol singing with the Gaelic choir & Ukulele band, plus much more ...

then at dusk, the official switching on of Aberfeldy’s Christmas lights. 

Follow the Aberfeldy Festivities page on Facebook for full details >

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Perthshire Artisans Winter Exhibition

Birnam Arts, Dunkeld, Sat 30th Nov to Sun 12th Jan 

The Perthshire Artisans Winter Exhibition features work from many local creatives and artists.

With a selection of original and beautifully made work from glass and mosaic artists, jewellers, painters, illustrators, textile artists, ceramicists and more, here you will find inspiring ideas for gifts, special occasions or even a treat for yourself. 

From original framed paintings to mounted prints, centrepiece ceramics for everyday use and enjoyment, eye-catching glass art and mosaics, and unusual and unique jewellery pieces, you can enjoy the diversity of the region’s creative talent all under one roof.

Find Out More about Perthshire Artisans Winter Exhibition 2024 >

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Candlelit Tours of the Palace

Scone Palace, 1st to 20th Dec

Join Scone Palace for theirCandlelit Tours and experience the stunning staterooms decorated for Christmas. Guided Christmas Tours will run twice a day at 11.30am and 1.30pm on selected dates throughout December. Tour tickets are cost £22 per person.

See the grand State Rooms adorned with magical decorations, sparkling candles, shiny baubles, and magnificent Christmas trees.

You can also pick up some unique Christmas gifts and treats from the Palace shop before relaxing in The Coffee Shop with a hot drink and home-baked festive treats.

More information and book here >

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The Black Watch Castle and Museum Christmas Events

Various Events and Dates

The Black Watch Castle and Museum run a varied and exciting calendar of events for adults, children and families throughout the Christmas period. Our advice is to book early! 

Dec 5th - Carols with Perth Choral Society, featuring an festive afternoon tea paired with carol singing from the Perth Choral Society.

Dec 7th - Winter Festival complete with a Santa Tour, storytelling, elf training workshops, and much more.

Dec 12th - Christmas at the Castle including a festive evening of songs and carols by the Police Community Choir, cooking demonstrations, welcome drink and a two-course Christmas dinner.

Dec 15th - Breakfast with Santa featuring a festive breakfast and a special visit from Santa.

Dec 20th  - Afternoon Tea with Santa where families can enjoy a festive afternoon tea and meet Santa.

Dec 21st - Christmas Sing-Along and Xmas Lunch with Michael Ellacott with a sing-along and 2 course festive lunch.

More information and book here >

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Perth Santa Run

Horsecross Plaza, Sat 7th Dec

For the energetic revellers, all the fun of the Santa Run returns to Perth city once again.

After a good warm up, and a lot of ho-ho-ho-ing, this 5k for all the family starts at Horsecross Plaza on Mill Street before heading over both bridges to finish at the North Inch.

This race is both family and dog friendly.

Entry price includes Santa suit, goodie bag and finishers medal.

Even if running isn't for you, pop along to appreciate the spectacle that is hundreds of Santas pounding the pavements of Perth!

 

Find out more and register >

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Christmas Lights Switch On in Kenmore

Kenmore, Sat 7th Dec

Come along and enjoy all things Christmassy in the beautiful Village of Kenmore between 2pm and 6pm. With market stalls, a bouncy castle, a magical walk, Pipers and a Mr and Mrs Claus Grotto, there reallyis something for the whole family. 

The Christmas Lights switch on is at 4.30pm and live music and performances by Aberfeldy Gaelic Choir and Kenmore Primary School will take place throughout the day.