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🎅 Santa, pantos & Christmas events for children in Inverness (2026)

Eden Court’s panto is the highlight of Christmas in Inverness for many, alongside the city’s lights switch-on and Santa visits at garden centres and attractions around the Highland capital.

Christmas events in and around Inverness

  • Christmas Lights Switch On at Eastgate
    📅 Sun 22 Nov · From 11am; reindeer 11am-2pm, Santa's parade 1.30pm, lights 4-5pm
    Santa & Christmas · Inverness city centre · Free

    A free festive day out with Santa's reindeer on the square, Santa arriving by parade and the Christmas lights switched on in the late afternoon.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Santa's Toy Shop at Eastgate
    📅 Sun 22 Nov – Thu 24 Dec
    Character meet & greets · Inverness city centre

    Visit Santa in his toy shop at the bottom of the escalators by the food court, with walk-ins on opening day if there's space.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Cinderella
    📅 Wed 2 Dec – Sun 3 Jan
    Shows, theatre & panto · Inverness city centre

    The Highlands' biggest family panto, with a fairy godmother, a glass slipper and plenty of shouting 'he's behind you!'

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Santa Sunday Lunch
    📅 Sun 6 Dec – Sun 20 Dec · Sundays 6, 13 & 20 Dec
    Character meet & greets · Culcabock

    A family carvery lunch with games and a present from Santa for the children.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • A Land Beyond Winter
    📅 Sat 12 Dec – Thu 24 Dec · 10.30am and 2pm; no shows on Mondays
    Shows, theatre & panto · Inverness city centre

    A gentle 50-minute festive alternative to panto for little ones, with dance, music and storytelling as two friends set off to find the missing first snowflakes.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking

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Tips from people who’ve been

  • Book Santa early: the best grotto times often sell out by mid-November.
  • Check what’s included: a gift, a photo, a craft or a story, and whether grown-ups pay too.
  • Ask about quiet or relaxed sessions if loud music, crowds or queues are hard for your child.
  • Weekday visits and the first slot of the day are usually calmer than weekends.
  • Pantos often have relaxed and signed performances: look for them when you book.

Warm indoor places near Inverness for a cold day

Within 20 km: Soft play: 1 · Museum & attraction: 10 · Swimming & leisure: 3 · Trampoline & inflatable park: 1

Other places

Christmas with children 2026: Santa, pantos and lights · See everything on the map