Be Inspired: Events and Festivals

Loch Tay, 14th to 30th Dec

Celebrate Midwinter together, when we look back on the year with kindness and move forward with hope. With daily crafts, delicious food, hot spiced apple juice on arrival and a puppet show pantomime every day! Open 10am with last admission 3pm. Dog friendly and Café Open daily.

Programme of Events

Dec 18th to 20th - Winter in the Wild Wood. Three days of winter crafts, making decorations for your home from natural materials.

Dec 18th and 19th - Wreath and Garland Workshops 

Dec 20th - Ukrainian Cross Stitch Workshop 

Dec 21st to 23rd - Meet the Green Woman. Visit our druids grove, and meet figures from Celtic Folklore, as well as puppet pantos, songs, stories, pine cone decorations and more.

Dec 27th to 30th - Hogmanay Feasting Days. Welcome the New Year with festive foods, Celtic rituals, meet the Lord of Misrule and do the first footing on our new site. 

Find out more and book

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Last Mince Pie Run

North Inch Perth, Thurs 2nd Jan

Ready to make 2025 your year? Kick start your New Year resolutions with a fun run or walk through the North Inch park. Every participant will receive a medal, a New Year Resolution Certificate, and of course, a special LAST mince pie as a reward.

Everyone is welcome to join in - simply choose a distance from 1k to 5k, and decide whether to run or walk.

Rolling Start from 11am to 1pm, 2 January 2025 | North Inch, Perth | £10 Entry Fee £7.50 Concession

Find out more and book >

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Chinese New Year

Perth City Centre, Sat 25th Jan

Join us in Perth for our annual celebration of Chinese New Year, organised by Perth's Chinese Community.

This big, bold and colourful event brings all of the wonder of the Year of the Snake to the city centre where you will find:

• Dancing Lions,
• Live music
• Chinese Dancers
• The Chinese New Year Parade
• And so much more. 

Full details, including timings will follow shortly. Please check back for more information. 

 

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Robert Burns Day at The Castle

The Black Watch Castle, 25th Jan

 From 10am to 3pm, £10 per child and one accompanying adult, £5 per additional adult.

Join us for a fun-filled Robert Burns Family Day at The Black Watch Castle and Museum, where kids can enjoy a variety of engaging activities inspired by the works of Robert Burns.

Kids can experience Scots storytelling with a special reading of The Highway Rat in Scots and they can take part in crafts inspired by Robert Burns ’To a Louse’ poem. There will also be thistle-themed crafts and a ‘To a Louse’ themed trail in the museum.

Your ticket includes all-day entry to the museum, allowing you to explore the rich history of The Black Watch Regiment. It's a fantastic way to spend the day with the whole family.

Find out more and book >

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Robert Burns and The Black Watch by Captain (Retired) Alan McEwen MBE

The Black Watch Castle, 25th Jan

From 12:30pm to 2:30pm, £25 per person

Join us for a fascinating talk on Robert Burns and The Black Watch by Captain (Retired) Alan McEwen MBE, a former member of the 1st Battalion The Black Watch (Royal Highland Regiment).

Alan, who served Queen, King, and Country for 46 years in both The Black Watch and The Royal Regiment of Scotland, will share his unique insights into the connection between Scotland’s iconic poet and Scotland’s Oldest Highland Regiment.

Enjoy a two-course lunch with coffee before learning about this intriguing part of Scottish history.

This event promises a memorable afternoon combining great food, captivating stories, and rich heritage.

More details to follow.

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Perth Museum

Perth City Centre, Various Events and Dates

The Stone of Destiny, Ongoing

One of Scotland and the UK's most significant historical objects returns to Perthshire in over 700 years.

Visitors will be taken on a 10-minute immersive journey through the Stone's long and mysterious history before being provided with an up-close encounter with the impressive object itself.

Tickets are free and can be acquired from the Box Office. 

Find Out More and Book >

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Scottish Crannog Centre Spring Events

Loch Tay, various dates

Visit the Scottish Crannog centre this spring and enjoy hands on crafts, explore ancient history and immerse yourself in an Iron Age Village on the shores of Loch Tay.

All of the events below will run from 10am with last entry at 3pm, and the Crannog's delicious café will be open serving hot and cold drinks and homemade food. All are welcome, including the family pet.

Imbolg, 1st Feb - Celebrate the coming of Spring with a Celtic Festival of Light. Enjoy candle making, snowdrop crafts and Spring stories

Valentine’s Day, 14th Feb - A celebration of connection and affection with all our loved ones. Bring your favourite people for a special time to show how much you care.

Spring Equinox, 21st Mar - Welcome in the brighter days to come!  Join us in the season of the Mad March Hare for Spring nonsense!

Find out more and book >

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February Crafts at the Castle

The Black Watch Castle,12th to14th Feb

From 11am to 3pm,  £5 per child and one accompanying adult.

Join us for a creative and fun-filled February Crafts at The Black Watch Castle and Museum during the In-Service days. Over three days, children can explore their artistic side with different craft activities while learning about the rich heritage of The Black Watch.

Children will have the opportunity to make their own unique crafts, including creating personalised maps, designing sweetheart pins inspired by The Black Watch, and making love letters to celebrate Valentines Day.

Each session includes all materials needed, and accompanying adults can join the fun for free.

A perfect way to celebrate creativity and Scottish heritage with the whole family!

More details to follow >

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Afternoon Tea with the Archive

The Black Watch Castle, 14th Feb

From 2pm to 4pm, £25 per person

Enjoy a delightful afternoon at The Black Watch Castle and Museum with our Afternoon Tea with the Archive.

Join our museum team as they share poignant stories, heartfelt letters, and moving poetry from the museum's archive, showcasing personal messages from soldiers to their loved ones.

This unique event offers a fascinating glimpse into Scotland's military history while you indulge in a delicious afternoon tea. It’s a perfect way to celebrate love and heritage, surrounded by the rich history of The Black Watch.

Treat yourself to a memorable afternoon filled with stories, history, and great food.

More details to follow >

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Winter Words Festival 2025

Pitlochry Festival Theatre, 21st to 23rd Feb 

Curated by new Artistic Director Alan Cumming, this fantastic event offers two fully-packed days of author talks, theatre, literary lunches, morning yoga and foodie delights. Visit Pitlochry Festival Theatre's website for full details on each, and booking. 

The programme of authors includes Booker Prize winner Douglas Stuart, celebrated crime writer Val McDermid, Mayflies and Caledonian Road author Andrew O’Hagan and broadcaster and journalist Kirsty Wark, who will all be in conversation with Alan Cumming about their work. 

Former Scots Makar Liz Lochhead, the current Edinburgh Makar Michael Pedersen; Scottish Indian writer Arun Sood; Scotland’s Geographer Royal Jo Sharp; author James Jauncey in conversation with First Minister of Scotland John Swinney; the Highland Hutter Peter MacQueen as well as Fierce Salvage: Contemporary Scottish Publishing, with the award-winning independent publishing house 404 Ink and author Titilayo Farukuoye chaired by Heather Parry.

For food lovers, there are literary lunches with cuisine write and restaurateur Carina Contini, MasterChef 2022 finalist and food writer Sarah Rankin and chef and Café Canna owner Gareth Cole. Food Tourism Ambassador Ghillie Bașan will talk about food, whisky and life accompanied by whisky tastings.

Join Finlay Wilson, the author of Kilted Yoga, for a morning yoga session, or to join the runner and author Chris Carse Wilson on a 5km run with readings from his book Fray.

For theatre lovers, there is A Room of One’s Own, dramatised by Firebrand Theatres from the writings of Virginia Woolf and performed by Ellie Zeegen. The rehearsed reading The Race to 1984 by Richard Baron celebrates author George Orwell’s battle to complete his masterpiece in a Scottish hospital.

Find out more and book >

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Scone Palace Snowdrop day

Scone Palace, 22nd Feb

From 10am to 3pm, Scone Palace will be hosting a day to celebrate the snowdrop display that grows in the gardens and grounds of this historic site.

A waymarked 'Snowdrop Walk ' will guide you through the Friars Den, Victorian Pinetum and down the old drive lined with an avenue of lime trees.

Join the Palace gardens team as they plant up a wooded area of the grounds for a new snowdrop display.

Here you will learn to increase your own snowdrop display at home where lifting, splitting and transplanting will be demonstrated.

A small selection of specialised snowdrops will be for sale from our gift shop and our coffee shop will be open so you can warm up with a selection of tasty refreshments.

Admission to Gardens ticket required.

For more information and to book >

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Easter at The Castle

The Black Watch Castle, 19th April

From 10am to 2pm, £10 per child and one accompanying adult, £5 per additional adult.

Hop into spring with our fun-filled Easter Event at The Black Watch Castle and Museum!

Enjoy a day of exciting activities for all ages, including an easter trail outside in the gardens, an easter trail in the museum where the Black Watch Bunny is getting ready for Easter and needs help finding his troops, and kids can enjoy some easter themed cookie decorating.

Children can get creative with Easter-themed crafts, making paper plate rabbits and suncatcher eggs.

They can also enjoy classic games outside like bowling, tin can alley, and more. It’s a  perfect day out for families, combining adventure, creativity, and the rich history of The Black Watch.

More details to follow >

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Perth Racecourse 2025 Season

Perth Racecourse, 23rd April to 21st October

There's nothing quite like a day at the races, and the award-winning team behind Perth Racecourse, prides themselves on hosting some of Scotland and the UK's most thrilling horseracing events.

Whether you're watching the action unfold as horses race past the finishing post or feeling the anticipation build among the crowd, you'll experience an electrifying atmosphere enjoyed by people from all walks of life. 

There are 13 thrilling fixtures over the 2025 season, kicking off with the three day Perth Festival on 23rd to 25th April. Renowned for highly competitive jump racing this fantastic day - or days! - out also includes live music entertainment.

Other events include: 

• Ladies Day - 15th May
• Gold Cup Day - 8th June
• Family Raceday - 13th July
• Glorious Finale

Our advice is to be quick - these fantastic events sell out fast. Book your tickets now and enjoy top-class racing, a thrilling atmosphere, beautiful surroundings, and the very best in Scottish hospitality. 

Find Out More and Book >

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Perth Festival of the Arts

22-31 May 2025

Each May, Perth Festival of the Arts becomes the gem in Scotland’s cultural calendar. From 22-31 May 2025, the 10-day arts-packed Festival is set to bring world-class artists to cultural and historic venues across the city, while promoting the best up-and-coming local and Scottish talent.

Featuring big names like Sir Lenny Henry and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, 2025’s programme celebrates a wide range of arts including classical music and opera, jazz and rock music, children’s shows, the visual arts, literature, and comedy.

Tickets are now on sale for the Festival’s first three major shows, with the rest of the programme launching in March.

Find out more and book >

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Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Perth Concert Hall as part of the Perth Festival of the Arts, 24th May

Join Perth Festival of the Arts for a glorious evening of classical music’s best-loved repertoire with one of the top orchestras in the Asia-Pacific region.

The orchestra will perform two of the most popular works from the operatic and ballet repertoire including Bizet’s scintillating Carmen Suite and music from perhaps the greatest of all ballets: Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake. Consistently chart-topping Classic FM’s Hall of Fame,

Vaughan Williams nostalgic masterpiece The Lark Ascending continues the popular programme.

One of the most versatile cellists of the present day Wen-Sinn Yang performs Tchaikovsky’s magnificent Rococo Variations before  Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 brings the concert to an energetic close.

 Find out more and book >

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An Evening with Sir Lenny Henry
Hosted by Fred MacAulay

Perth Concert Hall as part of the Perth Festival of the Arts, 30th May 

Renowned comedian, actor, writer and Comic Relief co-founder, Sir Lenny Henry has had a vibrant career for over 50 years covering every inch of entertainment.

Rising as a cult star on children’s television to becoming one of Britain’s best known performers, Lenny has transformed from a Shakespearean Othello to a harfoot in Amazon's Lord of the Rings, a druid in The Witcher, a grocer in his acclaimed Bush Theatre play and many more.

Offstage, Lenny has become a diversity champion, successful children's author, philanthropist and knight.

In this eclectic evening, Sir Lenny Henry will triumphantly return to stand up and then dive into the details with Fred MacAulay, closing with an audience Q&A.

Over a decade since Lenny's last stand up tour, don't miss this rare chance to see Sir Lenny Henry live! 

Find out more and book >

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Brass Hits Hollywood – Mike Lovatt’s Brass Pack

Perth Concert Hall as part of the Perth Festival of the Arts, 31st May 

Join Mike Lovatt's Brass Pack and special guest singer Anna-Jane Casey for a spectacular Perth Festival concert of big band swing, featuring iconic songs from much-loved MGM Musicals and Hollywood's biggest movies.

This extraordinary, hand-picked Brass Orchestra, formed by virtuoso trumpeter Mike Lovatt, explodes with fresh new arrangements and exciting compositions by Colin Skinner.

Packed with orchestral colour, the group features highly acclaimed vocalists, swinging French horns, jazz rhythms section, an array of Latin percussion, timpani, harp, and tubas.

Find out more and book >

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Scone Palace Garden Fair

Scone Palace, 30th to 31st May

Mark your calendars because the Scone Palace Garden Fair is back for its fourth year, and it’s set to be bigger and better than ever!

Join us on the stunning lawns of historic Scone Palace to celebrate the very best of Scottish gardening. Discover a fantastic selection of top nurseries, garden centres, makers, and societies, all showcasing their expertise and passion for plants.

Be inspired by expert talks and demonstrations, including appearances by the beloved Beechgrove Garden team, and marvel at the creativity of the Scottish Garden Design Competition, returning once again to wow visitors.

New for 2025: We want to inspire the next generation of gardeners, with a range of exciting activities designed to spark curiosity and nurture a love for nature. Plus, children under 16 enjoy free entry, making it a perfect family day out!

Find out more and book >

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Potfest at Scone Palace

Scone Palace, 6th to 8th June

Celebrating it's 28th year in Scotland and Potfest's 13th year at Scone – the Crowning Place of Scottish kings.

Under large marquees across the Palace lawns, meet the 90 studio ceramics artists takingpart. Wander Scone’s grounds, gardens and pinetum. Talk to the makers, discover what fuels their passion for clay and buy direct. Make a full day of your visit and soak up all things clay at this Scottish celebration of ceramics.

Potfest ticket includes access to Scone Palace grounds and gardens. Top up tickets for access into the Palace are available at the ticket kiosk.

Find out more and book >

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Patter at the Palace

Scone Palace, 27th to 29th June 

This summer, the stunning grounds of Scone Palace will transform into Scotland’s comedy hotspot as Patter at the Palace takes over from June 27th to 29th, 2025.

Set against the backdrop of one of the country’s most iconic landmarks, this three-day comedy extravaganza promises non-stop laughter, mouth-watering street food, and an unforgettable festival atmosphere.

Bringing together an unbeatable line-up of some of the biggest names in comedy, Patter at the Palace will be headlined by the hilarious Milton Jones, quick-witted Russell Kane, Scottish farming funny man Jim Smith, beloved stand-up veteran Ed Byrne, and the razor- sharp, absurdist genius Dylan Moran.

Whether you're a fan of observational comedy, dry wit, or belly-laugh-inducing absurdity, this festival has something for every sense of humour.

Find out more and book >

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Cultural Event Venues in Perthshire

The following venues offer a year round selection of events, shows, and days and nights out.

• Perth Theatre
• Perth Concert Hall
• Scone Palace
• The Black Watch Castle & Museum
• Pitlochry Festival Theatre
• Birnam Arts

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Accommodation Ideas in Perthshire

If you're travelling from further afield, why not make a short break or holiday of it and book into one of our fantastic hotels, guest houses or glamping pods! 

Check out more ideas for a fantastic Perthshire break here:

- Quirky Accommodation in Perthshire >
- Spa Breaks and Hot Tub Hideaways >
- City Centre Restaurants >
- Think Big Perthshire Activities >

Keep an eye on our Facebook page for full updates on all of the events and festivals listed below, and the new ones yet to come.