Your guide to a sparkling Christmas season in Ayr awaits! Whether you're deeply connected to Ayr or just making connections, this guide enhances your holiday experience.
One of the standout events is the Castle of Light, where stunning illuminations transform the castle into a dazzling spectacle set against a historic backdrop. Moreover, Christmas at the Botanics showcases a stunning light trail that weaves through the gardens, creating a magical atmosphere for all visitors. And the iconic Edinburgh's Hogmanay is something you definitely don't want to miss, featuring a vibrant celebration to welcome in the New Year. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Ayr
- Edinburgh's Hogmanay (Edinburgh)
- Castle of Light (Edinburgh)
- Christmas at the Botanics (Edinburgh)
- Aberdeen Christmas Village (Aberdeen)
- Dundee Christmas Market WinterFest (Dundee)
- Oban Winter Festival (Oban)
- Christmas at Crathes (Aberdeenshire)
- Brodie Illuminated (Forres)
- Beecraigs Festive Forest (Linlithgow)
- Ayrshire Hospice Winter Fair
See these and even more events listed below!
Ayr Holiday Light Displays
Christmas at the Botanics
What to Expect:
Award-winning light trail with festive lights and seasonal treats.
Description:
Explore the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh's illuminated trail featuring flickering candles, colour-changing lights, and festive sounds. Enjoy seasonal snacks and drinks while strolling through the gardens, which are designed to delight visitors of all ages.
Where: Edinburgh | More Info: Christmas at the Botanics
Christmas at Crathes
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail through the walled garden with festive lighting and attractions.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Crathes Castle, where the beautiful grounds and garden are transformed into a vibrant display of lights and festive attractions, perfect for all the family.
Where: Aberdeenshire | More Info: Christmas at Crathes
Beecraigs Festive Forest
What to Expect:
Illuminated forest trail with Santa's Grotto and storytelling experience.
Description:
Beecraigs Festive Forest is a spectacular, atmospheric event set in the beauty of Beecraigs Country Park near Linlithgow. It features an illuminated trail, Santa's Grotto, and Mrs. Claus Storytelling Experience, along with festive street food and drink.
Where: Linlithgow | More Info: Beecraigs Festive Forest
Starry Nights
What to Expect:
Immersive festive light and sound experience with interactive installations.
Description:
Starry Nights at Beecraigs Country Park and Dean Castle offers an immersive festive experience with stunning light displays, interactive installations, live performers, and festive food and drink.
Where: Dean Castle Country Park | More Info: Starry Nights
Carluke Christmas Lights Switch On
What to Expect:
Traditional brass band and festive walkabout characters.
Description:
Carluke's annual Christmas Lights Switch On event features free festive entertainment, a Christmas Market, and fairground rides. The event includes a traditional brass band, Christmas walkabout characters, and live music. Santa will make an appearance, and there will be giveaways and games for the family.
Where: Carluke | More Info: Carluke Christmas Lights Switch On
Ayr Holiday Markets and Shopping
Aberdeen Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Unique market with local artisans and gourmet food.
Description:
The Aberdeen Christmas Village is a festive event featuring a unique market, an ice rink, fairground rides, live music, and community entertainment. It offers a variety of gifts, gourmet food, and drink options, with a portion of the proceeds supporting Charlie House.
Where: Aberdeen | More Info: Aberdeen Christmas Village
Dundee Christmas Market WinterFest
What to Expect:
Full-scale ice rink and vintage funfair.
Description:
Dundee's WinterFest at Slessor Gardens offers a vibrant Christmas experience with a vintage funfair, traditional Bavarian bar, and a full-scale ice rink. Enjoy rides, over 20 Christmas stalls, and festive activities for all ages.
Where: Dundee | More Info: Dundee Christmas Market WinterFest
Lanark Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Traditional Christmas Market with seasonal goodies and free entertainment.
Description:
The Lanark Christmas Market offers a traditional shopping experience with scores of stalls filled with seasonal goodies, providing a warm welcome and plenty of fantastic free entertainment for all ages.
Where: Lanark | More Info: Lanark Christmas Market
Ayrshire Hospice Winter Fair
What to Expect:
Extensive range of festive stalls and fundraising activities.
Description:
The Ayrshire Hospice Winter Fair offers a day of festive shopping and entertainment with over 100 stalls, live music, and Santa visits. Enjoy a variety of gift ideas, festive cards, and sweet treats while supporting a great cause.
Where: Ayr | More Info: Ayrshire Hospice Winter Fair
Crosshouse Children's Fund Christmas Fair
What to Expect:
Family-friendly shopping and entertainment with Santa and local performers.
Description:
The Crosshouse Children's Fund Christmas Fair at The Park Hotel in Kilmarnock offers a family-friendly day out with over 50 stalls selling homeware, clothing, jewellery, and sweet treats. Local performers entertain with Christmas favourites, and children can visit Santa, post letters to the North Pole, and meet Olaf. The event also features friendly alpacas and a Kilmarnock Fire Station fire engine.
Where: Kilmarnock | More Info: Crosshouse Children's Fund Christmas Fair
Stirling Castle Christmas Shopping Fayre
What to Expect:
Local Scottish brands and crafts in a historic setting.
Description:
The Stirling Castle Christmas Shopping Fayre is a popular event showcasing local Scottish brands, crafts, and fine foods in the Great Hall. Enjoy wonderful music from a brass band and indulge in delicious mince pies and mulled wine.
Where: Stirling | More Info: Stirling Castle Christmas Shopping Fayre
Erskine Salvation Army Christmas Fayre
What to Expect:
Local handmade gifts and crafts.
Description:
The Erskine Salvation Army Christmas Fayre is a fun-packed event featuring local handmade gifts and crafts, musical entertainment, and the best refreshments. Stall holders are all local people selling their unique items, making it a great way to start your Christmas festivities.
Where: Paisley | More Info: Erskine Salvation Army Christmas Fayre
Rutherglen Town Hall Christmas Market
What to Expect:
Unique shopping experience with local artisans.
Description:
The Rutherglen Town Hall Christmas Market offers a variety of handcrafted gifts and local goods, creating a vibrant atmosphere perfect for holiday shopping.
Where: Rutherglen | More Info: Rutherglen Town Hall Christmas Market
Deborah Cameron Creative Artist Studio Christmas Event
What to Expect:
Hands-on gift wrapping workshop with eco-friendly materials.
Description:
At Deborah Cameron Creative Artist Studio, elevate your gift wrapping skills with eco-friendly ideas and creative techniques. Learn to make matching paper, gift tags, and cards using handmade stamps and everyday objects in a relaxing crafty atmosphere.
Where: Glenrothes | More Info: Deborah Cameron Creative Artist Studio Christmas Event
Crail Community Hall's Christmas Fayre
What to Expect:
Local gift stalls and family-friendly activities.
Description:
Crail Community Hall's Christmas Fayre offers a delightful weekend of family-friendly activities and local gift stalls, creating a vibrant atmosphere perfect for the holiday season.
Where: Crail | More Info: Crail Community Hall's Christmas Fayre
Ayr Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Castle of Light
What to Expect:
Interactive light and sound show on Edinburgh Castle's walls and buildings.
Description:
Castle of Light is an immersive after-dark event at Edinburgh Castle, featuring state-of-the-art light installations and storytelling projections that bring Edinburgh's history to life. Meet Rex the loveable lion and explore the castle's mythical creatures and forgotten tales.
Where: Edinburgh | More Info: Castle of Light
Oban Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Traditional music finale concert with local talent.
Description:
Oban Winter Festival is a ten-day celebration in Oban, Scotland, featuring markets, music, reindeer parades, and dazzling light displays. The event includes the Winter Woods Event, showcasing unique light installations, and the Oban Winter Festival Finale Concert, which brings together renowned traditional musicians.
Where: Oban | More Info: Oban Winter Festival
JJ Gilmour's Jinky Bells
What to Expect:
Heartfelt songs and banter by a former Silencers frontman.
Description:
Internationally acclaimed Scottish singer-songwriter JJ Gilmour returns to Airdrie Town Hall for his annual festive show, Jinky Bells. The event features heartfelt songs from his lengthy solo career, mixed with his usual banter and a few Christmas-themed songs. It promises to be a great evening of entertainment.
Where: Airdrie | More Info: JJ Gilmour's Jinky Bells
Phil Cunningham and Friends
What to Expect:
Traditional and modern Christmas carols performed by a renowned ensemble.
Description:
Phil Cunningham and Friends present a delightful Christmas concert featuring traditional and modern carols, performed by a talented ensemble including Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson, and Kris Drever. The event promises a heartwarming and musically rich experience with jovial anecdotes and festive spirit.
Where: Stirling | More Info: Phil Cunningham and Friends
Fairytale of New York
What to Expect:
World-class Irish-inspired Christmas concert with talented singers, musicians, and dancers.
Description:
Immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Irish culture with Fairytale of New York, featuring festive favourites like 'Driving Home for Christmas' and 'The Fairytale of New York', alongside iconic Irish sing-along songs.
Where: Dunfermline | More Info: Fairytale of New York
Christmas Concert by Dunfermline Choral Union
What to Expect:
Unique blend of traditional and contemporary Christmas music.
Description:
Over one hundred singers led by renowned Musical Director Mandy Miller will perform a selection of Christmas music, accompanied by a string quartet and resident musicians, featuring traditional carols and contemporary favourites.
Where: Dunfermline | More Info: Christmas Concert by Dunfermline Choral Union
Christmas with Anton Du Beke
What to Expect:
Christmas concert with Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke.
Description:
Join Anton Du Beke for a spectacular Christmas show featuring his dynamic live band, Lance Ellington, and a troupe of extraordinary dancers. Expect a spellbinding performance of cherished Christmas songs and captivating dances.
Where: Dunfermline | More Info: Christmas with Anton Du Beke
Nardone’s Academy’s pantomime, “Dick Whittington”
What to Expect:
Classic rags-to-riches story with special effects.
Description:
Nardone’s Academy presents "Dick Whittington," a classic rags-to-riches pantomime following Dick and his dancing cat as they seek fortune in London, filled with challenges and special effects.
Where: Kirkcaldy | More Info: Nardone’s Academy’s pantomime, “Dick Whittington”
Ya Wee Dickie McWhittington
What to Expect:
Family-friendly panto with legendary adult-only nights.
Description:
Join Wee Dickie on his thrilling adventures to save Langtoun from the evil King Rat and his minions. Featuring marvellous music, fun, laughter, tears, and happiness, this panto is perfect for the whole family, including legendary adult-only nights.
Where: Kirkcaldy | More Info: Ya Wee Dickie McWhittington
Carly Imrie Performing Arts Christmas Spectacular
What to Expect:
Inaugural Christmas Spectacular featuring students of various ages.
Description:
Carly Imrie Performing Arts presents their inaugural Christmas Spectacular, a musical theatre and dance show featuring students aged 3-18 years old. The event showcases the talents of all students through dancing, singing, and acting.
Where: Kirkcaldy | More Info: Carly Imrie Performing Arts Christmas Spectacular
Ayr Other Holiday Activities
Edinburgh's Hogmanay
What to Expect:
World-class New Year's Eve festivities with live music and fireworks.
Description:
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a four-day celebration featuring live music, street theatre, and fireworks, culminating in the world-famous Street Party and Concert in the Gardens with headliners Texas and special guest Callum Beattie.
Where: Edinburgh | More Info: Edinburgh's Hogmanay
Brodie Illuminated
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail through historic estate with projection and light effects.
Description:
Explore Brodie Estate after dark with an illuminated trail through the Playful Garden, Shrubbery, and Woodland. The 16th-century castle comes alive with projection, light, and sound, featuring whimsical characters. Enjoy street food and hot drinks, including vegan and gluten-free options, while wrapping up cozy for a colourful and captivating evening.
Where: Forres | More Info: Brodie Illuminated
Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Dunfermline
What to Expect:
Interactive train-themed journey with Santa.
Description:
At Dobbies Dunfermline, Santa's Grotto offers a Little Seedlings train-themed journey for children and families. After a warm welcome from the elves, kids experience snowy scenes, spot woodland characters, and find hidden nutcrackers before meeting Santa. Each child receives a wrapped gift from Santa, selected at the point of ticket purchase.
Where: Dunfermline | More Info: Santa's Grotto at Dobbies Dunfermline
Pratis Barns Christmas Experience
What to Expect:
Interactive family festive experience with Santa and his elves.
Description:
Pratis Barns offers a delightful Christmas experience with rustic barns, beautiful grounds, and exquisite views. Enjoy festive activities, songs, and good food in a charming Scottish setting.
Where: Pratis Barns | More Info: Pratis Barns Christmas Experience
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Irvine (11 miles)
- Kilmarnock (12 miles)
- Newton Mearns (24 miles)
- Paisley (27 miles)
- East Kilbride (27 miles)
- Renfrew (30 miles)
- Rutherglen (30 miles)
- Cambuslang (30 miles)
- Meikle Earnock (31 miles)
- Glasgow (31 miles)
- Hamilton (31 miles)
- Clydebank (32 miles)
- Bearsden (33 miles)
- Motherwell (34 miles)
- Greenock (34 miles)
- Bellshill (34 miles)
- Bishopbriggs (35 miles)
- Wishaw (35 miles)
- Vale of Leven (35 miles)
- Coatbridge (36 miles)
- Airdrie (38 miles)
- Cumbernauld (42 miles)