Christmas is set to arrive in Ayr with a bang this November as families are invited to enjoy an afternoon of festive entertainment, activities and attractions before the town’s Christmas lights are switched on.
Festive Family Fun will take place across Ayr’s High Street and the Cutty Sark Centre on Sunday, November 15, from 1.30pm until 5.30pm, with the big Christmas lights switch-on taking place at 5pm.
The event promises plenty to keep families entertained, with a packed programme of free activities and live entertainment throughout the afternoon.
Children can meet Santa in his Grotto, where visitors will also receive a small gift, while younger visitors can enjoy the Kids Zone inside the Cutty Sark Centre, featuring arts and crafts.
There will also be festive face painting, balloon modelling and a giant Christmas Wish Tree where children can write a message to Santa and hang it on the tree.
For those looking for a little festive fun and a photo opportunity, Snow White and friends will also be making an appearance, while wandering Christmas characters, stilt walkers, jugglers and circus performers will be out and about around the event.
Families can also take part in a Christmas Trail, searching for hidden letters around the event before unscrambling them to reveal a winter-themed word. Completed trail cards can be returned to staff at the Cutty Sark Centre for a small prize.
Local stars take to the stage
The afternoon will feature performances from a host of talented local youngsters and groups, with the Dance Extravaganza running from 1.30pm until 4.50pm.
Performers include DA Dance, Sophie Oliver School of Dance, New Road Academy of Dance, LJM Dance, Elite Dance School, Aileen Robertson School of Highland Dance, Karen Douglas Dancers, Lynne Crombie School of Dance, Rennie Dance Academy and Dansarena Studios.
Over at the Cutty Sark Centre stage, visitors can enjoy performances from local schools and groups including Southcraig Stars, Newtown Primary School Choir and Upper School Dance Group, Acorns Sings, Queen Margaret Academy, Heathfield Primary School, Ayrshire Youth Theatre and the South Ayrshire Ukelele Orchestra.
Ayr's own Jai McDowall is also scheduled to take to the stage at 4.20pm, before Scotland Rocks provide the entertainment leading up to the Christmas lights countdown.
Christmas markets and festive attractions
There will be plenty more to discover around the town, including two Christmas markets featuring local traders. One will be held at The Grain Exchange, with another taking place outside on the High Street.
A Christmas funfair will also be in operation, although organisers have confirmed that rides will carry a charge.
For another free attraction, families can climb aboard the Santa Express Train, located outside the Wallace Tower.
With activities spread throughout the High Street and around the Cutty Sark Centre, visitors can expect a mixture of entertainment, festive characters, family activities, shopping and live performances throughout the afternoon.
And, of course, the main event will arrive at 5pm, when the Christmas lights are switched on and Ayr officially gets into the festive spirit.
Organisers say the majority of activities are free, with the exception of the funfair rides.
With Santa, live music, dancing, markets, a Christmas trail, a funfair and plenty of festive photo opportunities all packed into one afternoon, Festive Family Fun looks set to provide an early taste of Christmas for families across Ayrshire.
Festive Family Fun takes place on Sunday, November 15, 2026, from 1.30pm to 5.30pm in Ayr. The Christmas lights switch-on takes place at 5pm.