Perth 2022
Christmas Events

Magical Christmas Weekend

3rd and 4th December 

The magic starts on Saturday 3rd December with the Mill Street Stage welcoming some of the finest magicians in the country. Magic shows and workshops will keep you entertained throughout the day and are sure to raise a smile with young and old.    

As evening falls, Perth’s annual Christmas Lantern & Nativity Parade lights up the streets. Starting from St Ninian’s Cathedral on North Methven Street, the parade weaves through the city centre, finishing at St John’s Kirk where the Nativity Scene will be displayed outside.  Remember to bring your lantern or a torch, wrap up warm and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas in Perth.  

For the more energetic among you, join in all the fun of the Santa Run! This 5k for all the family starts at Mill Street at 12 noon on Saturday 3rd -and heads over both bridges before finishing at the North Inch.

Register here > 

Festive Cabins

  

Weekends from 20th November to 4th December

New for 2022, a procession of festive cabins offering gifts and goodies from a host of your favourite local traders.  

A trail of gorgeous wooden cabins will be situated throughout the city centre, in King Edward Street and the High Street, showcasing some of the best of Perth’s independent retailers and local, quality artisans. 

Running Saturdays and Sundays from 20th November to 4th December, you can expect to find plenty of inspiration for gifts, treats for yourself and a warm, Perth city welcome. 

After all that christmas shopping, why not stop for dinner at one of Perth's City Centre restaurants.

Weekends from 20th November to 4th December. 

Get your festive groove on at St Paul’s with our fabulous Silent Discos!  

You know you’re at a great party when there’s dancing in the streets and this year, you can do exactly that in Perth City Centre. 

Silent Discos at St Pauls return bringing hits from throughout the decades to Perth’s newest and most fun entertainment space. Grab a set of earphones, tune in to your favourite song and let your moves run wild.  

Free for all to attend, but pre booking is essential. Our silent Discos will be managed via Event Brite.

Running 3rd and 4th December. 

Why not grab a cocktail while you're visiting?

Silent Discos

As well as the main events from Perth & Kinross Council, there are also a huge number of markets, shows and festive celebrations across Perth city and towns.

From panto to Art exhibitions, The Christmas Yard Market and A Winter Festival at the Castle, the wider area is bursting with music, culture and plenty to do this winter.  

Other Events and Festivals

What's Been and Gone This Festive Season

Take a look at what has been happening in and around Perth at this year's Winter Festival.

Christmas Lights Switch On

Saturday 19th November

The festive jewel in the crown of Scotland’s Christmas event’s calendar is here and after a two year break it returns bigger, brighter and more spectacular than ever before.  

Free for all to attend, Perth is where you’ll find the best in live music, dancing, street entertainment, fun fairs, ice carving and oh so much more!  

The Christmas Parade will leave Thimblerow Car Park at 5.30pm and will weave through the city centre to the main stage on Tay Street. As always, Perth Theatre’s panto dame will lead the way, with all of your favourite local dance schools, community groups, and festive characters joining in the fun.  

The highlight of our Christmas Lights Switch On is always our Main Stage entertainment – and this year promises to bring another star-studded line-up of acts.  Keep an eye on our social media for announcements as they’re made.  

Sunday 20th November 

Everyone loves a festive feast and this year Perth is inviting you to join in the fun with two delicious events that are free to attend – did we mention there are tasters for all!  

Cakefest’s head baker, Simon, is busy preparing his sweet tasting stage which will showcase some of Perthshire’s most beloved landmarks-all made entirely from cake! Join in the Parade of the Bakers, and watch on in wonder as local people add their showstoppers to the giant map. Be sure to grab a pic or two before Simon cuts it all up to be handed out to the crowd. 

If you prefer your treats more savoury, then Soupfest is the one for you! A true winter warmer, our judging panel will be sampling and pondering the recipes submitted by the finalists from this year’s Soupfest competition. All five soups on the shortlist will be available to sample – big thanks to the team from Giraffe! Which one would you choose? 

There’s also entertainment across two stages, with live music, dancing and street entertainers galore! 

City of Perth Christmas Feast

Santa's Grotto 

Weekends from 18th November to 27th November

Calling all the good boys and girls!  

If you’ve been extra well behaved this year then you can ask your grown-ups-nicely of course!- to bring you along to visit Santa in Perth City Centre.  

He flies in on Friday 18th November and will be with us every Saturday and Sunday until 4th December. There’s a free gift for all boys and girls under 12 years old but remember, his elves are busy helping and they like to tell Santa how well you behaved in the queue so this is a little reminder to everyone to queue patiently and to be kind to others around you.   

Santa’s Grotto opens on Friday 18th November and runs on Saturdays and Sundays until 27th November at Horsecross Plaza. One free gift per child under 12. 

26th and 27th November 

Celebrate the patron saint of Scotland and join in on a very special weekend full of festive fun.  

Kicking off on Saturday 26th November, you’ll find Perth’s Jazz & Swing Christmas on the Horsecross Plaza Stage, strumming the tunes that are sure to get you in the Christmas mood.  There’s also a special Perthshire Mela Market at St Paul's bringing an international feel to the festivities.  

On Sunday 27th  November we’re all about Scotland, with our Horsecross Plaza Stage geared up to deliver fantastic live performances from The Mad Ferret Band, Dougie MacLean, Hue & Cry, and the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.   

The day finishes with a pipe band parade from St John Street to Mill Street (16.50 hrs) with the Provost of Perth escorted by the Perth Pipe Band to deliver the St Andrews Day message at the Mill Street Stage. 

St Andrew's Day Weekend