Winter festivals happening in Inverness Right Now

Winter is upon us, and the summer festivals in Inverness are over. So, our thoughts turn to twinkling lights, crisp evenings, and the top events and winter festivals in Scotland. In this guide, we’ll focus on Inverness events 2025 and early 2026, so you can plan a stay that combines culture, food, and Highland atmosphere.

Let’s dive in!

Inverness Christmas events

November 2025 – early January 2026

Inverness Christmas events begin in November and run right through to the start of January. And Eden Court Theatre and Cinema, beside the River Ness, is at the heart of many Inverness, Scotland events. For example, its 2025 family pantomime, Snow White, runs from 3 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. Here, you’ll find classic panto fun with music, dancing, and plenty of festive cheer.

Inverness city centre also comes alive with markets and live performances during the festive period. At the Victorian Market, for example, you can enjoy Christmas shopping in the refurbished Food & Drink Hall. You’ll also find seasonal events such as children’s choirs and musical performances during December. These cosy indoor spaces are ideal when you want to experience Inverness in winter without spending all your time outdoors.

Back at The Kingsmills Hotel, you can make the most of the festive season with our own festive dining and parties. These offer an easy way to combine Christmas events in Inverness with relaxed, high-quality festive dining. Best of all, we’re within walking distance or a short taxi ride of Inverness city centre.

Festive markets and winter festivals in Scotland near Inverness

The Kingsmills offers the perfect base to enjoy Christmas events. Why? Because some of the most memorable winter festivals in Scotland take place in historic Highland settings within easy reach of Inverness. These are perfect for those exploring beyond the city while still wanting a comfortable, four-star base.

One highlight is the Cawdor Castle Christmas Market, usually held over a weekend in mid-December. Here, you can browse stalls from local makers, sample seasonal food, and soak up the atmosphere of a castle estate dressed for winter. It’s an excellent choice if you are looking for authentic Christmas events in Inverness and nearby villages.

At Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre, you’ll find seasonal workshops such as Christmas wreath-making and “choose your own tree” experiences. These combine Highland scenery with traditional crafts, giving you a taste of Scotland’s winter festivals.

Together, these markets and workshops show why winter festivals Scotland-wide are so appealing. You can move from castle gardens to battlefield woods in a single weekend, discovering different sides of the Highlands as you go.

Family days out: Alpacas and Santa on Loch Ness

Winter in Inverness is also a great time for family-friendly adventures. A short drive from our hotel, Festive Jingle Alpaca Treks and Christmas meet-and-greets with Loch Ness Alpacas run on various dates between late November and 22 December 2025. These guided walks near Dores on Loch Ness offer a fun and unusual way to enjoy the frosty Highland air. And yes, they come complete with hot drinks and photo opportunities.

On the water, Jacobite’s Cruise with Santa operates from Dochgarroch between 6 and 21 December 2025. This free family event includes a Loch Ness cruise, festive entertainment, and, of course, a visit from Santa. It’s one of the most popular events near Inverness for families visiting during the run-up to Christmas.

Combining these trips with a stay in Inverness means you can spend the day exploring and return to a warm room. Courtesy of our fantastic restaurants, you’ll also enjoy a relaxed dinner and even a nightcap.

Winter festivals in Scotland: Hogmanay and New Year celebrations

31 December 2025

Hogmanay remains one of the most important winter festivals in Scotland. And though the large-scale Red Hot Highland Fling event in Inverness city centre is no longer running, there’s still plenty happening. Many venues host ceilidhs, live music, and more to welcome in the New Year.

And at The Kingsmills Hotel, our Hogmanay Gala Dinner combines a three-course meal with entertainment and dancing. It’s a comfortable, all-under-one-roof way to celebrate Hogmanay in Inverness, Scotland. It also means there’s no need to worry about the weather or transport past midnight!

And if you stay a little longer or plan a winter break, you can enjoy Strathpuffer 24. This legendary 24-hour mountain bike race, held on 10–11 January 2026 near Contin, is known as one of Britain’s toughest winter events. And for spectators and participants, it shows another side to winter in Inverness and the wider Highlands. Here, you’ll find thrill-seeking endurance sports replacing fireworks and ceilidhs.

Theatre, film and dance in Inverness

And for the art lovers, winter festivals in Scotland also mean full theatre and cinema schedules. Eden Court’s winter programme includes festive film screenings, live music, and more. So, it’s not just panto, and you can enjoy events by the river in a striking modern venue.

And later in the season, Scottish Ballet brings its production of The Snow Queen to Eden Court at the end of January 2026. This once again adds to the choice of Inverness, Scotland events as winter continues past Christmas.

These evenings pair perfectly with pre-theatre dining in Inverness, with relaxed dining at The Conservatory available before or after the show.

Burns Night and late-winter traditions

25 January 2026

Scotland’s winter festivals continue into late January with Burns Night. Celebrated across the country on or around 25 January, this evening marks the life and work of poet Robert Burns. And in Inverness, you can expect Burns Suppers that feature haggis, neeps and tatties, whisky, speeches, and verse.

The Inverness Burns Club usually holds its anniversary supper close to Burns Night, often at venues within easy reach of The Kingsmills. This makes it simple to pair an authentic Burns Night with a comfortable stay and perhaps a relaxing visit to our spa the following day.

Why visit Inverness in winter?

Inverness, Scotland in winter offers a different pace from the busy summer months. Streets are quieter, the hills often carry a dusting of snow, and the River Ness feels calm and atmospheric. Best of all, you can dip in and out of events in Inverness, from theatre and live music to markets and family activities.

And staying at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness lets you balance this activity with rest. After a day at a winter festival in Scotland or an evening at Eden Court, you can return to The Kingsmills for a swim, a spa treatment, or a leisurely dinner. Whatever you choose, we offer an easy way to enjoy Inverness winter events while still feeling looked after.

Enjoy winter festivals in Scotland with the Kingsmills Hotel

So, if you are planning a break to experience winter festivals Scotland-wide, consider using Inverness and, particularly, the Kingsmills, as your base. From here, you can explore Christmas events in Inverness, venture out to markets at Cawdor or activities at Loch Ness, then come back to a warm Highland welcome.

Take a look at our latest special offers and start planning your winter in Inverness today.