What's on in and around Inverness and Loch Ness
On top of so many attractions, activities, and things to see and do in and around Inverness and Loch Ness, there are also a great number of events happening year-round to give you the perfect reason to visit! Below you will find a guide to what's on throughout the year, there is so much that you may need to visit more than once!
Eden Court Theatre
In the heart of Inverness is Eden Court, the Highland's largest theatre, cinema and arts venue situated close to the banks of the River Ness. It has an incredible lineup of shows throughout the year including touring west end musicals, Scottish Ballet, Opera, comedians, musicians and much more.
To check out what's on during your visit CLICK HERE
What's on Monthly
Below you will find events happening in Inverness and Loch Ness listed by month order.
To skip to the month you wish to look at you can simply click the month you need below and it will take you straight there!
January 2025
You'd think January is a quiet month, but there is always something going on!
The Strathpuffer - 11th & 12th January 2025 - 24 hour mountain bike endurance event that is ALWAYS a sell out!
25th January - Burns Night - Want to hold your own Burns Night celebration, find out how on our Burns Night Blog!
Writing and Photography Retreat - Ness Walk - Inverness
Friday 24th January to Monday 27th January 2025
Unlock your creativity on this incredible three day exclusive package exploring what it takes to bring together the written word and images to create compelling personal stories from a luxury 5 star hotel setting on the majestic banks of the River Ness.
February 2025
Meet the expert at Loch Ness Centre - Saturday 8th February 2025- Join expert Alan McKenna as he guides you through expeditions of the Loch, offering you the chance to delve into the unknown and forge connections. An opportunity to learn more about his research and views first-hand, immersing yourself in the mysteries of the legendary waters.
Food and Drink Festival 2025
22nd February - 8th March 2025
Starting on the 22nd February 2025 The Food and Drink Festival fortnight Kicks off with the 2025 Shortbread Showdown Shortlisting event and ends with the Grand final on the 8th March. More information coming soon, watch this space.
Food and Drink Fortnight - During Inverness and Loch Ness Food and Drink Fortnight, restaurants, pubs, cafes and food businesses offering special deals and exclusive menus giving you something to look forward to in early 2024. More information coming soon! Watch this space.
Valentines - 14th February - Want ideas for a romantic get away in the Scottish Highlands? Look no further!
March 2025
Inverness Half Marathon - Sunday 9th March 2025
Highland Shortbread Showdown 2025 - Saturday 8th March 2025 - More info soon!
Market on the Green Drumnadrochit - 2025 dates to be confirmed.
April 2025
Etape Loch Ness - Sunday 27th April 2025 - Entries already open for this incredibly popular 66 mile cycle around the iconic Loch Ness on traffic free roads and tackling 900m of ascent.
Market on the Green Drumnadrochit - April 2025 to be confirmed - A fantastic community craft market for local and Highland makers and producers on Drumnadrochit Green.
May 2025
Loch Ness Quest - 22nd - 25th May 2025 - Four captivating days, uniting individuals and organisations in a collective exploration to solve the mystery of Loch Ness and its elusive monster. Through a series of engaging events, you’ll search, debate, and delve into the mysteries that shroud this legendary loch.
The Gathering - Saturday 24th May 2025 - Northern Meeting Park, Inverness - The gathering of Amazing trad bands in a day of Live music heaven!
Ultra X ultra marathons - Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th May 2025 - Loch Ness - Entries open for 2024 for the 50 & 100km races around the mighty Loch Ness.
Beauly Buzz - 16th & 17th May - Beauly Holiday Park - A two day music festival held in Beauly.
Inverness Car Show - Dores - Awaiting 2025 dates - Expect to see 1000 Performance, modified, street, classic, retro & race cars on display, along with a Live stunt show taking place 3 times across the day
Inverness Classic Vehicle Show - Awaiting 2025 dates - Inverness City Centre - The annual Inverness Classic Vehicle Show takes over the city centre with loads for the family to do! At 3pm the Parade Finale takes place through Inverness High Street with the procession of vehicles led by the City of Inverness Youth Pipe Band.
Inverness Walking and Wheeling Festival - Awaiting 2025 dates - Showcasing Inverness as the perfect city for walking, cycling and active travel.
Market on the Green Drumnadrochit - Awaiting 2025 - A fantastic community craft market for local and Highland makers and producers on Drumnadrochit Green.
June 2025
Beauly Distilled - 7th June 2025 - Beauly Holiday Park - Local gins and local artists, it'll be gin-tastic!
Bluesy Beauly - 28th June 2025 - Beauly Holiday Park - A blues themed festival in beautiful Beauly!
Ardersier Gala Classic Car Show and Parade - Awaiting dates for 2025 -Ardersier - A wide range of classics, retros and interesting vehicles with a host of entertainment for all ages on the day.
StrathPetal - Strathpeffer Open Gardens Awaiting dates for 2025- Over 20 gardens opening in the picturesque and historic village.
Whisky Gig at the Malt Room - Awaitign dates for 2025 - A fun evening of whisky tasting, Scottish music and plenty of craic with the team at The Malt Room and folk singer Davy Holt. Booking required.
Highland Pride - Awaiting 2025 dates to be confirmed
Market on the Green Drumnadrochit - awaiting dates for 2025 - A fantastic community craft market for local and Highland makers and producers on Drumnadrochit Green.
July 2025
Belladrum Festival - 31st July - 2nd August - Tickets on sale NOW! - The Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is a sell out music and arts festival, held on the Belladrum Estate in Kiltarlity near Inverness.
Inverness Highland Games - Saturday 12th July 2025 - Bught Park, Inverness - Come and be part of a traditional Scottish Highland Games.
Cawdor Castle Outdoor Theatre - Awaiting dates for 2025
Under Canvas - Awaiting dates for 2025 - Eden Court - Daily family-friendly events, the line-up features Scottish traditional music, performance and DJ sets, a pop-up bar with local beers, gins and whisky and you can enjoy food from the outdoor shacks.
Cawdor Castle Outdoor Theatre - Awaiting dates for 2025
Whisky Gig at the Malt Room - Awaiting dates for 2025 - A fun evening of whisky tasting, Scottish music and plenty of craic with the team at The Malt Room and folk singer Davy Holt. Booking required.
Market on the Green Drumnadrochit -Awaiting dates for 2025- A fantastic community craft market for local and Highland makers and producers on Drumnadrochit Green.
August 2025
Blackisle Show - 7th August 2025 - The largest agricultural show in the north draws entries from all over Scotland.
Moy Fair - 8th & 9th August 2025 - Moy - Moy Fair offers a wide range of entertainment and activities for all of the family! The emphasis is on field sports activities with competitions in fly casting, gun dog handling and clay pigeon shooting.
Celebration of the Centuries - Awaiting Dates for 2025 - Fort George are once again hosting a celebration of the centuries event, their largest re-enactment event.
Under Canvas - Awaiting dates for 2025 - Eden Court - Daily family-friendly events, the line-up features Scottish traditional music, performance and DJ sets, a pop-up bar with local beers, gins and whisky and you can enjoy food from the outdoor shacks.
Deepscan Loch Ness Cruise with researcher Alan Mckenna - Awaiting dates for 2025 - Loch Ness Centre, Drumnadrochit - This intimate cruise takes up to 12 guests on a journey through the past 40 years of scientific research into the mysteries of Loch Ness.
Market on the Green Drumnadrochit - Awaiting dates for 2025 - A fantastic community craft market for local and Highland makers and producers on Drumnadrochit Green.
Gin Fest - awaiting dates for 2025 - Inverness Ice Centre - the best independent Gin distillers, with your chance to meet the folk behind some of Scotland’s best Gins and to sample the flavours.
Glen Urquhart Highland Games - awaiting dates for 2025 - Drumnadrochit - Experience a traditional Highland games
Cawdor Castle Outdoor Theatre - Awaiting dates for 2025
Whisky Gig at the Malt Room - Awaiting dates for 2025- A fun evening of whisky tasting, Scottish music and plenty of craic with the team at The Malt Room and folk singer Davy Holt. Booking required.
Kessock Ferry Swim - awaiting dates for 2025 1200m swim across the iconic tidal narrows of the old ferry route between South & North Kessock.
Loch Ness 24 - awaiting dates for 2025- Dores, Loch Ness - Take part in the second year of this 24 hour running race on the shores of Loch Ness.
Northern Meeting Park Piping Competition - awaiting dates for 2025 - Eden Court Theatre - The Northern Meeting Piping Competition is one of the most prestigious piping competitions in the world.
September 2025
Loch Ness Marathon - Sunday 28th September 2025 - Loch Ness/Inverness - Come and run along side the world famous Loch in this award winning and incredibly scenic marathon.
Beauly and the Beast - 20th September 2025 - A night of monstrously great music from local bands and all to a monster theme.
Deepscan Loch Ness Cruise with researcher Alan Mckenna - Awaiting dates for 2025 - Loch Ness Centre, Drumnadrochit - This intimate cruise takes up to 12 guests on a journey through the past 40 years of scientific research into the mysteries of Loch Ness.
Whisky Gig at the Malt Room - - A fun evening of whisky tasting, Scottish music and plenty of craic with the team at The Malt Room and folk singer Davy Holt. Booking required.
Market on the Green Drumnadrochit -Awaiting dates for 2025 - A fantastic community craft market for local and Highland makers and producers on Drumnadrochit Green.
October 2025
The Loch and Land Festival - Awaiting dates for 2025 - A packed programme of outdoor activities and events for everyone to enjoy! From kayaking, cycling tours, axe throwing and gorge walking to Highland coo tours, archery and sunrise skinny dipping... yes you read right! Autumn adventures galore, book ahead so you don't miss out!
Whisky & Chocolate Tasting At The Whitebridge Hotel - Saturday 19th October
A night of Whisky & Chocolate Tasting in the comfort of the Victorian dining room. Join host Paul from Ghillie Mór Tours & Tastings for an evening of decadence and indulgence where we will explore that unique classic pairing, whisky and chocolate. You’ll hear about the origins of whisky and how three simple ingredients have led to the incredible array of styles, that, when paired with chocolate from Chocolatier Joanna from Jojo’s in the northwest highlands, will introduce you to new taste experiences.
Fancy Dress Party - Whitebridge Hotel - Saturday 12th October - Team Whitebridge are getting ready to host this family friendly party and it is set to be a fantastic night for all the family – old and young. There will be traditional party games to keep you on your toes, cocktails for the adults and mocktails for the small people. This is your chance to become the superhero, wicked witch, movie star, Disney character………..the choice is yours!
Halloween Activities in Inverness and Loch Ness
Halloween Spooky Shoot at Bowhunter Archery - Saturday 26th October from 10am! This Annual event is open to all visitors aged 6yrs+ Each 45min mixed group session is held on our haunted target range, you can either bring your own pumpkin for shooting or you can use one of ours, along with some fun spooky paper targets.
Halloween Walking Tours - Walking Tours Inverness - Thursday 31st October - 2nd November 6:30 & 8:30pm! Back for the fourth year after three sell outs, come and explore the dark history of Inverness! Walk in the footsteps of murderers, executioners, and malicious fairies on this after-dark Halloween tour of Inverness. This 1.5-hour special event will bring our dark past into light as you discover the truth behind Inverness’ history.
Felt your own pumpkin at Dundreggan Visitor Centre - Wednesday 30th October - 2 sessions from 10am - Try your hand at needle felting at Dundreggan, make a colourful and seasonal pumpkin decoration from wool.
Book in advance or drop-in, £6 per pumpkin. Suitable for ages 6+ as good coordination is required to use the needles. Children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Potion Makers Trail - Urquhart Castle and Fort George - 12th October - 3rd November - Can you free our ancient places from a magic spell? Find the plants scattered around the sites to assemble the clues, then chant a rhyme to lift the curse. A fun trail across a large number of our sites, included in the cost of admission and for children of all ages.
Great Big Living History Week
Saturday 12 October 2024 to Sunday 20 October 2024
Historic Scotland Living History characters are back! Especially for the October Holidays Urquhart Castle and Fort George will be hosting characters throughout history, get the opportunity to meet a knight at Urquhart Castle.
Their characters will be on hand to tell you all about the site, the time period they are portraying as well as posing for some photos!
Arts and crafts festival at Wildwoodz - 18th,19th & 20th October - Exclusively Highland arts, crafts, food and drink market - 9.30 to 3pm
Blazzin in Beauly - 21st - 25th October 2024 - The Blazzin fiddle experience in Beauly
Candlelight Concert Drumossie Hotel - An ABBA dream - Friday 18th October - 7:30pm
November 2024
The Lovat Supper Club - Friday 22nd November 6.30pm - 4 Course Station Road menu paired with Gusbourne Wine flight.
Wine and Cheese Tasting Evening at The Whitebridge Hotel - Friday 22nd November - 7:30pm - A wonderful evening sampling some Highland Cheese and Majestic wines.
Murder Mystery at Whitebridge Hotel - Friday 29th November 7pm - The Walking Theatre Company are back for more dinner theatre; come on board as we set sail for a night of slapstick comedy, bucket loads of fun, pirate cocktails and a dinner fit for a hungry crew!
Arts and crafts festival at Eden Court - 15th,16th & 17th November - Exclusively Highland arts, crafts, food and drink market - 9.30 to 3pm -
Candlelight Concert at Drumossie Hotel - Elvis Tribute - Friday 22nd November 2024 - 7:30pm
Whisky Gig at the Malt Room - Saturday 23rd November - A fun evening of whisky tasting, Scottish music and plenty of craic with the team at The Malt Room and folk singer Davy Holt. Booking required.
Glen Urquhart Community Bonfire - awaiting date for 2024
Inverness Bonfire - 5th November - 7pm - Bught Park
Arts and crafts festival at Eden Court - 29th,30th November & 1st December - Exclusively Highland arts, crafts, food and drink market - 9.30 to 3pm
December 2024
Jack And The Beanstalk - Eden Court Pantomine for 2024! - 4th December to 5th January 2025
Meet the expert at Loch Ness Centre - Saturday 7th December - Join expert Alan McKenna as he guides you through expeditions of the Loch, offering you the chance to delve into the unknown and forge connections. An opportunity to learn more about his research and views first-hand, immersing yourself in the mysteries of the legendary waters.
Skating with Santa and Christmas Market- Saturday 14th December - Inverness Ice Centre - Various sessions available, booking essential!
Whisky Gig at the Malt Room - Saturday 21st December - A fun evening of whisky tasting, Scottish music and plenty of craic with the team at The Malt Room and folk singer Davy Holt. Booking required.
Community Thank You Weekend at Culloden Battlefield - Awaiting dates for 2024
Cawdor Christmas Market - No market in 2024 - Returning in 2025.
Christmas Quest at Bowhunter Archery - Awaiting dates for 2024
Looking for a festive get-away?
Christmas and New year, known as Hogmanay in Scotland is a great time to visit Inverness and Loch Ness. Take a look at what's on offer with local hotel packages for stays during the festive season!
Discover so much more
For more inspiration of what to see and do during your visit to Inverness and Loch Ness, head over to our Discover More page where you will find blogs and articles on everything from local hidden gems to find, to the best activities and attractions not to miss.