Winter festivals happening in Inverness in 2026

Winter has arrived, and the summer festivals in Inverness are now over. So, our thoughts turn to twinkling lights, crisp evenings, and the best winter festivals in Scotland. This guide, therefore, covers Inverness events for winter 2026 and early 2027. And we invite you to plan a stay that blends culture, food, and Highland atmosphere. Whether you want events in Inverness or events near Inverness, this guide has you covered.

So, let’s dive in!

Inverness Christmas events

Late November 2026 – early January 2027

Christmas events in Inverness begin in late November, and they then run right through to early January. Eden Court Theatre and Cinema sits beside the River Ness, and it forms the heart of many Inverness, Scotland winter events. This year’s family pantomime is Cinderella, which runs from Wednesday, 2 December 2026 to Sunday, 3 January 2027. Expect side-splitting slapstick, dazzling musical numbers, and plenty of audience participation.

Inverness city centre also fills with shoppers during the festive period. At the Victorian Market, for example, you can browse independent traders and the Food & Drink Hall. Seasonal stalls and entertainment also add to the atmosphere throughout December. These indoor spaces work perfectly when you want to enjoy Inverness in winter without battling the weather.

And back at The Kingsmills Hotel, you can make the most of the season, too. Our own festive dining and parties combine Christmas events in Inverness with relaxed, high-quality dining. And best of all, the hotel is within walking distance of Inverness city centre. So, a short taxi ride gets you here easily.

Festive markets and winter festivals in Scotland near Inverness

Cawdor Castle usually hosts a two-day Christmas market in its gardens, and this has run in mid-December for several years now. However, the castle has not yet confirmed dates for the 2026 market. It’s worth checking the castle’s own listings before you travel.

Culloden Battlefield Visitor Centre also runs seasonal workshops, and Christmas wreath-making has become something of an annual tradition there. Foliage gathered straight from the battlefield goes into each wreath. These sessions combine Highland scenery with hands-on craft, giving you a real taste of Scotland’s winter festivals.

Together, these markets and workshops show why winter festivals Scotland-wide appeal so widely. You can move from castle gardens to battlefield woods in a single weekend. Annd each stop reveals a different side of the Highlands.

The Kingsmills Hotel also offers the perfect base for winter festivals in Scotland. Why? Because the Highlands’ most memorable festive markets sit in historic settings near Inverness. You can therefore explore at your own pace, then return to a comfortable four-star base each night.

Family days out: Alpacas and Santa on Loch Ness

Winter in Inverness suits family-friendly adventures perfectly. A short drive from our hotel, Loch Ness Alpacas runs festive treks each November and December, taking place near Dores on Loch Ness. Christmas meet-and-greets run alongside the treks, too. Together, they offer a fun way to enjoy the frosty Highland air. Hot drinks and plenty of photo opportunities come as standard. However, Loch Ness Alpacas have not yet published the exact 2026 dates at the time of writing.

Meanwhile, on the water, Jacobite’s Loch Ness Cruise with Santa has become an annual fixture. It departs from Dochgarroch each December, and this free family event combines a Loch Ness cruise with festive entertainment. A visit from Santa rounds off the day. As a result, it ranks among the most popular events near Inverness for families.

Combining these trips with a stay at the Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness, makes good sense. You can spend the day exploring, then return to a warm room. Afterwards, our restaurants offer a relaxed dinner. A nightcap rounds things off nicely.

Winter festivals in Scotland: Hogmanay and New Year celebrations

31 December 2026

Hogmanay remains one of Scotland’s biggest winter festivals. Sadly, the large-scale Red Hot Highland Fling in Inverness city centre no longer runs. However, plenty still happens locally, and many venues host ceilidhs and live music to welcome in the new year.

And at The Kingsmills Hotel, our Hogmanay Fling brings together a three-course dinner in the Conservatory Restaurant. Accordionist Sandy Brechin provides traditional entertainment, and dancing continues into the early hours from a 7.30pm welcome. This costs £127 per guest.

For something grander, choose our Hogmanay Gala Dinner in the Kingsmills Suite instead. A five-course Highland menu sets the scene, a midnight toast follows, then entertainment from The Big Shoogle runs until 3am. Haggis, neeps, and tatties arrive at 1am to keep the celebrations going. This costs £175 per guest.

If you want the festivities to last longer, book our 4-Night Hogmanay Package. 29 December 2026 – 2 January 2027. It includes accommodation, breakfast, and dinner each day. An itinerary of activities runs throughout, too.

Still need some ideas? You can browse our full range of seasonal celebrations in our festive brochure.

Christmas at the Kingsmills Hotel

As well as Hogmanay, the Kingsmills Hotel hosts a full programme of Christmas dining. Our festive lunches run 1st to 24th December 2026, for example, and you can expect a three-course menu starting from £35 per person, or £14 per child served midweek from noon, and at weekends from 12.30pm.

And for larger groups, our retro disco lunches run 1st December 2026 to 11th January 2027. Within which, a three-course festive menu comes paired with a lively retro disco. This costs £48 per adult, based on a minimum of 50 guests.

Prefer something calmer? Our festive afternoon tea runs 1st to 24th December 2026 instead. Priced at £25 per adult, we serve it in our newly refurbished lounge. Sittings run between 2pm and 4.30pm.

Families can also join Santa Sunday Lunch on 6th, 13th, and 20th December 2026. Games, a carvery lunch, and a present from Santa all feature. Adults pay £32, children pay £27, and infants pay £10.

On the day itself, 25th December 2026, you have two options. Choose a traditional four-course lunch in our Conservatory, Inglis and Burns restaurants for £125 per adult. Alternatively, the Kingsmills Hotel Christmas Day Grand Buffet costs £110 per adult. Both include a glass of bubbly or sparkling elderflower on arrival.

Theatre, film and dance in Inverness

Art lovers find plenty to enjoy, too, since winter festivals in Scotland mean full theatre and cinema schedules. Eden Court’s winter programme, for example, includes festive film screenings and live music throughout the season. This runs alongside the main pantomime, which this year is Cinderella.

Later on, Scottish Ballet brings its production of Cinders! to Eden Court. Wednesday 27 – Saturday 30 January 2027. This forms part of the company’s wider winter tour across Scotland. As a result, it adds to the choice of Inverness Scotland winter events well into late January.

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

Burns Night and late-winter traditions

25 January 2027

Scotland’s winter festivals continue into late January with Burns Night. Communities across the country celebrate this every 25 January. In Inverness, expect Burns Suppers featuring haggis, neeps and tatties, whisky, speeches and verse. Burns Night 2027 falls on a Monday.

The Inverness Burns Club usually holds its anniversary supper close to this date. Venues within easy reach of The Kingsmills tend to host it, making it simple to pair an authentic Burns Night with a comfortable stay. A relaxing spa visit the next day rounds things off nicely.

Why visit Inverness in winter?

Inverness in winter offers a different pace from the busy summer months. Streets are quieter, and the hills often carry a dusting of snow. Meanwhile, the River Ness feels calm and atmospheric. Best of all, you can dip in and out of events in Inverness as you please. Theatre, live music, markets, and family activities all sit within easy reach, too.

Staying at the Kingsmills Hotel lets you balance activity with rest. And after a day at a winter festival in Scotland, or an evening at Eden Court, you can unwind back in 4-star comfort. A swim, a spa treatment, or a leisurely dinner awaits, but whatever you choose, Inverness winter events become easy to enjoy while you still feel looked after.

Enjoy winter festivals in Scotland with the Kingsmills Hotel

So, if you’re planning a break around winter festivals Scotland-wide, The Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness makes a particularly good base. From here, you can explore Christmas events in Inverness with ease, and markets and wildlife experiences near Loch Ness sit within easy reach. And afterwards, you can come back to a warm Highland welcome each evening.

Take a look at our festive brochure and latest special offers. You can also browse our various 4-star rooms here to start planning your winter in Inverness for 2026.