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
Regular events on during the summer
During the summer months, there are regular events happening in Inverness and the surrounding area that you might not want to miss.
Inverness Royal British Legion Pipeband performance - Every Tuesday night on Inverness High street at 7pm. Starting on Tuesday 27th June with the last performance on 29th August.
Inverness Farmers Market - Every 1st Saturday of the month from March to December. 10am - 3.30pm - Inverness High Street - Always a fantastic line up of local producers.
Whisky Gigs at The Malt Room - Every Thursday you can have a fun evening of whisky tasting, Scottish music and plenty of craic with the team at The Malt Room and folk singer Davy Holt.
Highland Malt Whisky Experience at Macgregors -From April to October, 5 nights a week (Mon-Fri) at 7pm - an evening of whisky tasting, history, story, legend and music of the Scottish Highlands.
Market on the Green Drumnadrochit - From April to the end of September there is a community craft market for local and Highland makers on Drumnadrochit Green held twice a month.
September
Bungee / Catapult Loch Ness with Highland Hospice - 2nd & 3rd September - Dores beach - Want to be launched across and over the world famous Loch? You may get a glimpse of Nessie?
Exclusively Highland Craft Fair at Wildwoodz - Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th September - 10am - 3pm - Craft fair of local and Scottish producers set in a beautiful rural location!
Market on the Green - 9th & 23rd September - Drumnadrochit Green - Local makers and creators market
Celebration of Glenurquhart and Abriachan - 20th September 12-7pm - Glenurquhart Hall, Drumnadrochit - A celebration of the glen and the impact on the world.
October
Loch Ness Marathon - Sunday 1st October - Loch Ness/Inverness - Come and run along side the world famous Loch in this award winning and incredibly scenic marathon.
Exclusively Highland Craft Fair at Wildwoodz - Friday 20th, Saturday 21st & Sunday 22nd October - 9.30am - 3pm - Craft fair of local and Scottish producers set in a beautiful rural location!
Halloween Walking Tours - Saturday 28th and Monday 30th October - 7pm! Enjoy a spooky dark side tour of Inverness with Walking Tours Inverness
West End shows at Eden Court in October :-
The Bodyguard - 3rd - 7th October
Queenz - 20th & 21st October
November
Annual Fireworks Display - TBC but normally held annually on 5th November at the Bught Park, Inverness.
Exclusively Highland Christmas fair at Eden Court - 17th, 18th & 19th November - Get Christmas ready with a HUGE selection of local and Scottish producers and crafters at this Eden Court take over event.
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!
December
Sleeping Beauty Pantomime - 6th December - 7th January 2024 - Eden Court - Get your tickets now for the magical family friendly pantomime Sleeping Beauty at Eden Court this Christmas.
Exclusively Highland Christmas fair at Eden Court - 1st, 2nd & 3rd December - If you cant make November, you have another chance to get Christmas ready with a HUGE selection of local and Scottish producers and crafters at this Eden Court take over event.
Cawdor Christmas Market - 9th & 10th December - Visit and shop local for Christmas in the wonderful grounds of Cawdor castle.
Hogmanay Highland Fling - 31st December - Details to be confirmed for 2023.
January 2024
You'd think January is a quiet month, but there is always something going on!
The Strathpuffer - 13th & 14th January 2024 - Entries open NOW! 24 hour mountain bike endurance event that is ALWAYS a sell out!
March
Inverness Half Marathon - Sunday 10th March 2024 - Entries already open to sign up for next year!
April
All the Spring sports and Easter events in and around Inverness and Loch Ness.
Anniversary of the Battle of Culloden - 16th April - 2024 events not announced yet but watch this space! The visitor centre hosts a Collection of events to commemorate the anniversary of the Battle of Culloden, with Lectures, presentations and livestream events.
Etape Loch Ness - Sunday 28th April 2024 - Entries already open for this incredibly popular 66 mile cycle around the iconic Loch Ness on traffic free roads and tackling 900m of ascent.
May
Ultra X ultra marathons - Saturday 4th & Sunday 5th May 2024 - Loch Ness - Entries open for 2024 for the 50 & 100km races around the mighty Loch Ness.
Inverness Car Show - Dores - Awaiting 2024 dates to be confirmed, watch this space - 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 2024 dates to be confirmed, watch this space - 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 2024 dates to be confirmed, but check out their page for any ongoing events - Showcasing Inverness as the perfect city for walking, cycling and active travel.
The Gathering - Awaiting 2024 dates to be confirmed, watch this space - Northern Meeting Park, Inverness - Tide Lines headline a host of amazing trad music bands in a day of Live music heaven!
June
Ardersier Gala Classic Car Show and Parade - Awaiting 2024 dates to be confirmed, watch this space -Ardersier - A wide range of classics, retros and interesting vehicles with a host of entertainment for all ages on the day.
Loch Ness Classic and Vintage Car Tour - Awaiting 2024 dates to be confirmed, watch this space - Start and finish in Inverness, maximum 65 entries from classic and vintage car owners and also cars of a sporting nature.
Gin Fest - Saturday 25th May 2024 - Inverness Ice Centre - 2024 dates already announced for this fantastic event, the best independent Gin distillers, with your chance to meet the folk behind some of Scotland’s best Gins and to sample the flavours.
July
Under Canvas - 5th July - 26th August 2023 - 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.
Inverness Highland Games - Awaiting 2024 dates to be confirmed, watch this space- Bught Park, Inverness - Come and be part of a traditional Scottish Highland Games.
Highland Pride - Awaiting 2024 dates to be confirmed, watch this space - Come and party in the park, after the Pride Parade starting from Crown Primary at 2:30pm.
Belladrum Festival - 25th - 27th July 2024- Tickets on sale Friday 18th August 2023 - The Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival is a sell out music and arts festival, held on the Belladrum Estate in Kiltarlity near Inverness.
August
Blackisle Show - 2nd & 3rd August - The largest agricultural show in the north draws entries from all over Scotland.
Moy Fair - 4th - 5th August - 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 - 12th & 13th August - Fort George are once again hosting a celebration of the centuries event, their largest re-enactment event.
Glen Urquhart Highland Games - Saturday 26th August - Drumnadrochit - Experience a traditional Highland Games.
Loch Ness Centre Quest Weekend - Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th August - The Quest to find Nessie begins with the biggest search of the Loch for more than 50 years and you are invited!!!
Loch Ness 24 - 26th & 27th August - Dores, Loch Ness - Take part in the second year of this 24 hour running race on the shores of Loch Ness.
Midsummer Night’s Dream at Cawdor Castle - Saturday 26th August, 7pm - Cawdor Castle - the ever-popular HandleBards cycle back to Cawdor Castle with their set, costumes and props on their bikes for an open-air production of Shakespeare’s comedy “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
Northern Meeting Park Piping Competition - Thursday 31st August - Eden Court Theatre - The Northern Meeting Piping Competition is one of the most prestigious piping competitions in the world.
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.