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

Perth’s Christmas lights switch-on is usually one of the biggest in Scotland, with a Christmas show at Perth Theatre and Santa visits at garden centres and farms across Perthshire.

Christmas events in and around Perth

  • Perth Christmas Lights Switch-On Weekend
    📅 Fri 20 Nov – Sun 22 Nov · Switch-on Sat 21 Nov 6pm; parade Sun 22 Nov 1pm
    Santa & Christmas · Perth city centre

    Three free festive days with a free Santa's Grotto at Horsecross Plaza, fireworks over the Tay at the switch-on, a Sunday Christmas parade, a lantern parade and a drone show.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Perth Wildlife Lights Trail
    📅 Fri 20 Nov – Sun 10 Jan · Evenings, from 3pm on Fri 20 Nov
    Santa & Christmas · Perth city centre · Free

    Glowing sculptures of local wildlife light up the riverside along Tay Street, perfect for a free festive evening stroll.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Bob Marley for Babies
    📅 Sat 21 Nov – Sun 22 Nov · 10.30am, 12.30pm and 2.30pm each day
    Shows, theatre & panto · Perth city centre

    Four singing dancers and a cellist perform Bob Marley songs in the round, with lots for babies and toddlers to join in with.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Sleeping Beauty (Perth Theatre panto)
    📅 Fri 27 Nov – Thu 31 Dec
    Shows, theatre & panto · Perth city centre

    Perth Theatre's own traditional family panto, with relaxed, BSL and audio-described performances.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Childline Christmas Concert
    📅 Thu 3 Dec · 7.30pm
    Music & concerts · Perth city centre

    Young local musicians, choirs and Perth Youth Orchestra play carols and Christmas favourites in aid of Childline.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking
  • Santa's Grotto at Active Kids
    📅 Sat 5 Dec – Sun 20 Dec · Sat and Sun 5–20 Dec, 12.30pm–3.30pm
    Santa & Christmas · Stanley, near Perth

    A private 10-minute visit for each family with Santa and his elves, plus a photo and a gift for every child.

    🎟️ Tickets & booking

Know one that’s missing? It takes a minute, and we check each one before it goes on the map. Add an event

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 Perth for a cold day

Within 15 km: Soft play: 2 · Museum & attraction: 6 · Swimming & leisure: 1

Other places

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