Winter Festival Programme

01/01/2024

What a night! Thank you to all who made it along to the Red Hot Highland Fling! Special thanks to the musicians, vendors and organisers who worked so hard to make it all come together! Happy New Year 🥳

Inverness held the World's Largest Ceilidh at the Northern Meeting Park.

01/01/2024

Happy New Year, everybody!

Thank you to everyone who came and celebrated with us last night.

We all had a blast and hope you did too 😊

We have really enjoyed all the events the Winter Festival Programme has hosted!

Wishing you all the best in 2024 🥳

31/12/2023

2 hours to go!

Don’t forget your tickets!

Here’s a few words from Norrie 🥂

31/12/2023

4 hours to go! 🤩

31/12/2023

Today's the day! 📅

We can't wait to see you all this evening! 🥳

Make sure to wrap up warm and wear your dancing shoes! 🧣👟

If you haven't got your ticket yet, you can do so here 👇
https://www.tickettailor.com/events/highlandcouncil/1053285

Inverness is set to stage the largest Hogmanay ceilidh on the planet!

30/12/2023

Less than 36 hours to go until the Red Hot Highland Fling 🤩

Stage construction is well under way!

Don’t forget to purchase your tickets via:

https://highlandwinterfestival.co.uk

28/12/2023

Have you still not decided what to do for New Year's Eve? 🥂

Come and join us for a night full of entertainment and ceilidh dancing! 🎶💃

Tickets can be purchased here: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/highlandcouncil/1053285

25/12/2023

Merry Christmas!

Wishing everyone a fantastic day full of love and joy. 🎅🎄

24/12/2023

1 week to go!

Can't wait to see you all soon 🥳

Let's make this an unforgettable night!

If you haven't purchased your tickets yet make sure to click the link below 👇

https://highlandwinterfestival.co.uk/

09/12/2023

Have you got your dancing shoes ready for the Inverness Red Hot Highland Fling? 🕺💃

06/12/2023

We're only 25 days away from the Red Hot Highland Fling!

Stay tuned for more updates 🥰🥳

30/11/2023

𝐇𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐲 𝐒𝐭. 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐰'𝐬 𝐃𝐚𝐲 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲! 🥳

Did you know?

St. Andrew is not just the patron saint of Scotland?

He is also the patron saint of Romania, Russia, Poland, Ukraine, and Barbados. Each of these countries celebrates St. Andrew's Day in their own unique way, honoring their patron saint for different reasons.

26/11/2023

It's only a couple of hours until the Inverness Christmas Light Switch On!

We can't wait to see everyone and fill the city with Christmas joy 🎄

Make sure to wrap up warm 🥰

23/11/2023

Not long now until Inverness is lit up with festive magic 🎄

Don't miss out on the fun; get the whole family together and join us to make unforgettable memories 🥰🎄🎅

21/11/2023

The city of Inverness is set to host the world's largest Hogmanay Ceilidh 🥳💃🕺

The event features top traditional musicians and singers for a night full of dancing and fun! The celebration reflects Hogmanay's traditions and togetherness. The event centres around a traditional ceilidh with musical performances from guest singers and musicians.

We’ve got one of Scotland’s finest ceilidh bands, Highland Fire who include local lads Calum MacPhail and Sean Cousins from the band Horo, to keep the dancers moving. Then in those moments when a rest is required, we have the absolute best from Scotland’s traditional music scene.

We are excited to announce that Skipinnish very own Norrie MacIverwill be joining us to perform some songs in both English and Gaelic.

Additionally, Siobhan Miller, a three-time winner of the Scots Trad Music Award and BBC Radio 2 Folk Award winner, will lead us up to the bells.

Our instrumental fireworks will be provided by the multi-award winning duo Ali Hutton and Ross Ainslie, who were the driving force behind The Treacherous Orchestra. They will be joined by Ewan Robertson, who is from the current winners of the "Scots Folk Band of the Year" Breabach.

You can purchase your tickets via the link below 👇

https://highlandwinterfestival.co.uk/red-hot-highland-fling/

17/11/2023

This year the Christmas Light Switch On is set to take place on the 26th of November 🥳🎄

The city centre is all set to welcome the festive season with open arms.

Many businesses in the area will be extending their opening hours, and you can expect to see the Rotary Club Santa and his Elves touring the city centre. Additionally, reindeer will be located in Falcon Square from 12pm to 3pm.

For some festive entertainment, head to the Victorian Market between 1pm and 3pm. If you're looking for something to do later in the day, starting from 4pm, there will be performances in Falcon Square around the Highland Hospice Christmas Tree.

The event will be hosted by Nicola McInally, and there will be a short dedication at the tree by the Highland Hospice Chaplain before the lights turn on at 4.30pm by Miss Scotland.

At 5.30pm, don't miss the St. Andrews service at the Inverness Cathedral, followed by tea/coffee and mince pies. The event concludes with the bells ringing at approximately 6.30pm.

13/11/2023

We are thrilled to announce the following events! 🎄

🎄Christmas Light Switch On

🗓️ 26th November 2023

🎫 Free Event (tickets not required)

💃 The Red Hot Highland Fling

🗓️31st December 2023

🎫 £12 per person (tickets available via our website)

For more information on both events, check out our website 👇

https://highlandwinterfestival.co.uk

We hope to see everyone there 🥰

10/11/2023

Keep an eye on our page for some exciting news coming next week! 👀

06/11/2023

We want to say a huge thank you to everyone who came and celebrated bonfire night with us!

What an amazing turnout it was 🎇🥳

Also thank you to Ewen Weatherspoon Photographer for the outstanding pictures 📷

05/11/2023

It is just hours until Guy Fawkes night!

We hope everyone is looking forward to tonight because we certainly are.

Make sure you wrap up warm 🎇❤️

04/11/2023

Get ready because Bonfire Night is almost here!

We are looking forward to seeing everyone! 🎇🔥🥳

01/11/2023

Are you ready for an incredible evening with food & fire?! 🔥🍴

The Catering Village is all set to showcase an amazing selection of mouth-watering bites from some of the best small businesses in the area 🤤

You will not be disappointed! 🎇🥳

Who will be attending?

Ness Highland Catering

Empanadas Bravas

Heilan Brew Coffee Co.

With The Highland Food and Drink Trail:

Ollie’s Pops

Oregano Mobile Catering

Popseys

Highland Hogroast

The Redshank

The Angry Seagull Fish + Chips

29/10/2023

Wow! Just like that, there is only one week to go.

Looking forward to seeing everyone there!🎇🥳

27/10/2023

We are excited to announce that Horne's Funfair will be joining us once again for Bonfire Night this year, making it an even more spectacular event!

26/10/2023

We are so pleased that the famous Fly Agaric Performing Arts will be joining us on Bonfire Night! 🎇

They will be performing a custom fire show routine! 🔥

The countdown is on 🥳📆

25/10/2023

Will you be joining us for our Bonfire & Fireworks Spectacular? 🎆🥳

The event starts at 5pm with Hornes Funfair and an exciting catering village. This is followed by a performance by Fly Agaric Fire Display Team at 5:30pm. The bonfire will then be lit at 6pm with a 20-minute fireworks display at 7pm.

📌 Bught Park, Inverness
📆 Sunday 5th November 2023
⏰ Starting at 5pm

This is a free event, supported by the Inverness Common Good Fund.

Let us know if you'll be attending here 👇
https://fb.me/e/6hwRGmL6p

Keep your eyes peeled for information on other events that will be taking place in the Highlands this winter! 👀

Access details for Bonfire Night:

Pedestrians are asked to note that, for public safety, the Infirmary footbridge will be closed on bonfire night (Sunday, 5 November) before and after the event.

Drivers are reminded that parking restrictions will be in place around the Bught area on Sunday night (5 November), with priority access maintained for the emergency services, disabled drivers, and local residents throughout the night. A disabled parking area for Blue Badge holders will be located at the city centre end of the grandstand at Bught Park and drivers are asked to enter by the entrance close to the junction of Torvean Avenue and Dunachton Road. All other drivers are asked to use the 2,800 plus car parking spaces available in the city centre and to park considerately if choosing to leave their vehicle elsewhere.

11/10/2023

Keep your eyes peeled👀...