The festive season is upon us and there’s plenty of Christmas fun to be had across the north.
With visits from Santa, fairs, ice rinks and carol singing, here’s 11 festive dates to mark in your diary.
Aberdeen
Monday December 1
There will be a nativity scene at St Nicholas Kirkyard from December 1 – January 2.
Thursday December 20
Aberdeen’s Christmas Carol concert will be held Thursday December 20 at Duthie Park. If brass bands are your thing, this is the one for you.
Aberdeenshire
Friday November 28
Friday night will see the kick-off of the Ballater Winter Festival which includes a skating rink, market stalls Santa and a sing-along of Disney’s Frozen.
Saturday 29 November
Stonehaven’s Christmas lights will be switched on at 6.30pm following a torchlight parade of fairytale characters in town at 5.30pm.
In Inverurie the Festival of Unique Crafts to Scotland will be held in the town hall where visitors can admire jewellery, tartan goods, candles and get started on the Christmas shopping.
Fyvie Castle near Turriff will have it’s Christmas fare during the last weekend in November.
Highlights are set to include Fyvie community Choir, craft and gifts stands and an appearance form Santa.
Saturday December 6
Santa’s Grotto will make a pit-stop at Banff Castle where children can visit from 10.00-3.30pm.
Special rains from Alford Station will be running to Haughton Park on the Saturday and Sunday where Santa will be waiting with refreshments on your return.
Saturday December 13
Westhill shopping centre will turn on its Christmas lights on Saturday December 13 – hot chocolate will be available!
Castle Fraser will be showcasing Christmas through the ages where a choir will be singing Christmas Carols with an appearance from Santa and his horse-drawn carriage.
Moray
Thursday November 27
Buckie will see an ice rink grace the town for the first time and will stay for residents’ skating leisure until Sunday.
Christmas lights will be switched on at 4pm.
Saturday November 29
Lossiemouth will welcome the festive season from 4pm with a star-studded Christmas light switch on accompanied by fireworks, stalls and a funfair.
Elgin Winter Festival also kicks off on Saturday from 10am-5,30pm in the town centre and St Giles.
Entertainment in Forres will get underway from 3pm with a fancy dress parade in Andersons playground at 4.30pm and a torchlit parade at 5.15pm.
Sunday December 14
There’s a ‘Christingle’ service in Inchberry Church Hall at 6.30pm.
Highlands
Friday December 12
Winter Wonderland kicks off at Whin Park in Inverness with fun for all the family over the weekend.
Saturday December 13
There will be a Christmas at Cantray park from 11am, giving the perfect opportunity to have fun and take of the Christmas shopping.
Season’s greetings!