St Andrew's Day Celebrations

02 November, 2023

St Andrew's Day Celebration - Sunday 3rd December

Join us for a very special Sunday in Perth as we celebrate the patron saint of Scotland.

Following our fantastic Christmas Lights Party, the fun continues with a day packed full of live music from some of Scotland's leading acts, even more family entertainment, the fabulous Handmade Show and much, much more!

Remember to tag us in your photos on social media - @PerthCityAndTowns and use the hashtag #PerthWhereChristmasIsMade

Head for the Highlights of Perth's St Andrew's Day Celebrations

Horizon Car Park, Mill Street - You can't miss our stage filled with musical entertainment all day including the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Skerryvore and the Mad Ferret Band with many other entertainers.
King Edward Street - Check out our Community Stage, showcasing local acts from across Perth
Horsecross Plaza - Our family zone welcomes Santa's Grotto and the Ice Caves
St Paul's Square - A whole afternoon of exciting entertainment, followed by the quick-to-sell-out Silent Disco sessions!
George Street Festivities - Photo opportunities and festive fun galore with ice artists, birds of prey displays and the Cairngorm Reindeer
St Andrew's Day Parade - Join in with the ultimate patriotic parade!
Throughout the City Centre - Walkabout characters, stilt walkers and street entertainment, pipe bands, Rhythm Wave and plenty of Christmas spirit!
The Handmade Show - 40 fantastic makers and artists from Perthshire and wider Scotland at Perth Concert Hall.
The Yard Christmas Market - Don't miss a specially themed Yard Market jam-packed full of Christmas food, drink and gifts
Perth Creative Exchange - Meet Perthshire designers and makers, buy unique gifts and visit exclusive exhibitions.

Why not make a weekend of it? Don't miss out on the details of our Christmas Lights Party celebrations which take place on 2nd December >

Main Stage on Mill Street | 12–5pm

The highlight of our St Andrew's Day celebrations is always our Main Stage entertainment and this year will be no exception.

Expect a bright and loud session crammed full of Scottish music and tradition! Kicking off at 12 noon, and running all the way through to 5pm, look out your best tartan trews for a live music extravaganza for all the family including:

12.00 - Main Stage Opens with compere Mark Conroy
12.05 – 12.45 - The Mad Ferret Band
12.45 – 13.00 - Perth Pipe Band
13.00 – 13.45 - The Big Shoogle
13.45 – 14.00 - The Julie Young Dancers
14.00 – 14.40 - Stevie McCrorie
14.45 – 15.45 - Red Hot Chilli Pipers
15.45 – 16.00 - Methil Pipe Band
16.00 – 17.00 - Skerryvore

King Edward Street Stage | 12 noon - 5pm

The King Edward Street Stage is fun for all the family with plenty of music, dance and games to keep you and your little ones entertained throughout the day.

12.00 - The King Edward Street Stage opens with an introduction by Andy Aird
12.05 – 12.35 - Jollity Express
12.35 – 13.20 - Jamie Age
13.20 – 13.40 - The Andy Aird Gameshow
13.40 – 14.40 - Cover Daddy
14.50 – 15.00 - Perth Drama Club
15.00 – 15.45 - Michael Law
15.45 – 16.06 - The Andy Aird Gameshow
16.05 – 16.15 - Perth Drama Club
16.15 – 17.00 - The McAndrew Sisters
17.00 - Closedown by Andy Aird

St Andrew's Day Parade | St John Street | Starts 4.45pm

Cameras at the ready!

The annual St Andrew's Day Parade will leave St John Street at 4.45pm, and will weave its way through the city centre to the Main Stage on Mill Street where Provost McDade will deliver the St Andrew's Day message.

Perth Pipe Band

Vale of Atholl Pipe Band

Methil Pipe Band

Rhythm Wave

Local Dance Troops

Street Entertainers

All escorting the Provost of Perth.

Don't miss out on this patriotic and incredibly atmospheric parade.

St Paul's Square | Silent Discos | 12 – 7pm

Get your festive groove on at St Paul’s with our fabulous Silent Discos. You know you’re at a great party when there’s dancing in the streets and this year, you can do exactly that in Perth city centre.

Bringing hits from throughout the decades to Perth’s newest and most fun entertainment space, all you need to do is grab a set of earphones, tune in to your favourite song and let your moves run wild.

To ensure everyone enjoys the same experience, there is a maximum of 50 people in each disco.

Sunday 3rd December

Session 1: 5–5.30pm - BOOK NOW >
Session 2: 5.40–6.10pm - BOOK NOW >
Session 3: 6.20–7pm - BOOK NOW >

Santa's Grotto and Ice Caves | Horsecross Plaza | 12pm to 7pm

Santa and his reindeer fly in to Horsecross Plaza for our Christmas Lights Party, and will be with us for a weekend of gift giving and Christmas magic!

Santa can't wait to meet all of the good boys and girls from Perth and to hear your Christmas wish list. Make sure to come with a big smile and happy heart.

Santa will be in Perth for two weekends:

Saturday 2nd & Sunday 3rd December - 12pm to 7pm
Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th December - 12pm to 7pm

There's one free gift per child under 12. You do not need to book to see Santa, however please do expect to queue.

You'll also find the fantastic North Pole Ice Caves next door to Santa. Grab your hat and head on in for some extra-chilly, festive exploring!

More Fun Throughout the City Centre | 12–5pm

Running over two days, these city-wide events and activities will keep the kids amused, shoppers happy and ensure everyone remains in the festive mood.

Stop for a selfie with a stilt walker, have a browse through our cabins or why not stay for the night in Perth and enjoy a whole weekend of fun?

Walkabout Acts - Get up close for a selfie with Cobblers the Clown or the impossibly tall stilt walkers.

Musical Magic - It wouldn't be Christmas without the skirl of a pipe band - and we have three of the best awaiting you. Perth Pipe Band, Vale of Atholl Pipe Band and Methil Pipe Band. You'll also find the fabulous Rhythm Wave roaming the streets with their vibrant sound!

Horne's Funfairs - All the bright lights, sounds and fun of the fair will take place at Horizon Car Park, Mill Street (this is a paid for event)

George Street Festivities - Head to George Street and get your camera ready to capture the Christmas magic! Stop a while and watch our Ice Sculptor transform huge blocks of ice into beautiful sculptures - you can even get involved and take part!

Once complete, the sculptures will be on show for photo opportunities for all. You'll also find birds of prey displays, and the fabulous and friendly Cairngorm Reindeer!

Christmas Markets and Shopping Events | Various Locations and Times

We all love a Christmas Market and over December you'll be spoilt for choice in Perth city centre. Visit the Christmas Cabin Trail, drop into The Handmade Show and make sure to walk round to Perth Creative Exchange for a very special Perthshire makers' event.

The Handmade Show | Perth Concert Hall | 10.30am - 4.30pm

A beautifully curated show organised by local independent retailer, Dawn Cotton-Fuge from Precious Sparkle.

Featuring 40 makers and artists from Perthshire and wider Scotland, the show is free to attend, and is brimming over with homegrown talent and quality, unique gifts. You will find jewellery, ceramics, photography, fabrics, homewares and much more.

Keep up to date with everything happening at the Handmade Show, including a list of stall holders, over on their website: www.handmadeshow.co.uk

Christmas Cabin Trail | King Edward Street & St John's Place | 2nd to 24th December

Back for 2023, a procession of festive cabins will offer up gifts and goodies from a host of your favourite local traders. This trail of gorgeous wooden cabins will showcase some of the best of Perth’s independent retailers and local, quality artisans. Running each day from 2nd until 24th December, you can expect to find plenty of inspiration for gifts, treats for yourself, and a warm, Perth city welcome.

The Yard Christmas Market | Radisson Blu | 11am–3pm

Drop into Radisson Blu for a very special Yard Christmas Market where you'll find lots of different food, craft, drink and gift stalls featuring local produce and beautiful present ideas. Find Out More

Winter Market & Open Studios | Perth Creative Exchange | 2nd & 3rd December | 10am–4pm

Join Perth Creative Exchange for their Winter Market & Open Studios event to see a fantastic diversity of creative talent under one roof over the first weekend in December. You'll find paintings, ceramics, jewellery, sculpture, printmaking, photography, woodcraft, upcycling, textiles and more!

It's a great opportunity to meet and buy directly from the makers, to visit the open studios, to attend a free family art workshop, and to see the tenants' exhibition. Once you're done, you can rest up with a delicious cuppa and cake from their pop-up cafe.

For more information visit Perth Creative Exchange's Facebook page

Come for the Day

Arrive nice and early and you can make the most of a day in Perth city. Pick up a Christmas Gift Guide from one of our fabulous independent retailers – or for the super organised, browse Perth's Independent Christmas Gift Guide online now and plan your shopping route in advance! You'll be spoiled for choice when it comes to cafes, restaurants and bistros too, with everything from a homemade scone to an award-winning curry within easy walking distance.

Make a Weekend of It

If you're travelling from further afield, why not make a weekend break of it? Book into one of the area's accommodation providers.

Festive events and Christmas markets in Perthshire >

Accommodation in Perthshire

Check out our Be Inspired Perthshire section for more ideas and things to do across the region.

St Andrew's Day Celebrations