What's on in Inverness (Loch Ness), United Kingdom through the year

Busy — Christmas holidays in United Kingdom, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in January.

Still on: Aurora on strong nights (15 Sep – 31 Mar (usually)), Snow gates on the A9 and passes (15 Nov – 31 Mar (usually))

Busy — February half-term in United Kingdom, school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in February.

Still on: Aurora on strong nights (15 Sep – 31 Mar (usually)), Snow gates on the A9 and passes (15 Nov – 31 Mar (usually))

Shoulder season — school holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

Nothing new starts in March.

Still on: Aurora on strong nights (15 Sep – 31 Mar (usually)), Snow gates on the A9 and passes (15 Nov – 31 Mar (usually))

Busy — Easter / spring holiday in United Kingdom, school holidays in 5 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in April.

Busy — Late-May half-term in United Kingdom, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Dolphins at Chanonry Point

  1 May – 30 Sep · usuallyWhale season

  The Moray Firth bottlenose pod feeds on the rising tide at the point across the water, half an hour from town. Go on the flood tide or you will see a beach.

Quiet — travelers describe it as quiet, Late-May half-term in United Kingdom

Nothing new starts in June.

Still on: Dolphins at Chanonry Point (1 May – 30 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — Belladrum Tartan Heart, Summer holidays in United Kingdom

• Festival

  Inverness Highland Games

  8–20 Jul · usuallyMajor festival

  Heavies, pipe bands and highland dancing at Northern Meeting Park in the middle of July. It is a working local games rather than a show put on for coaches. Source ↗

• Festival

  Belladrum Tartan Heart

  30 Jul – 1 AugMajor festivalCrowdedBook early

  A family-shaped music festival on an estate west of the city at the turn of July and August. It sells out early and it takes every spare bed in Inverness with it. Source ↗

Still on: Dolphins at Chanonry Point (1 May – 30 Sep (usually))

Peak crowds — Belladrum Tartan Heart, Summer holidays in United Kingdom

Nothing new starts in August.

Still on: Dolphins at Chanonry Point (1 May – 30 Sep (usually)), Belladrum Tartan Heart (30 Jul – 1 Aug)

Busy — Loch Ness Marathon, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

• Nature

  Aurora on strong nights

  15 Sep – 31 Mar · usually

  Far enough north that a decent solar storm shows over the Moray Firth, but not far enough that it is routine. Drive out to the coast away from the town's glow and watch the forecast, not the sky.

• Festival

  Loch Ness Marathon

  27 SepMajor festivalCrowdedClosures

  A point-to-point down the south side of the loch into the city on a Sunday at the end of September, with the loch road shut for the morning and the town full the night before. Source ↗

Still on: Dolphins at Chanonry Point (1 May – 30 Sep (usually))

Busy — October half-term in United Kingdom, school holidays in 3 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in October.

Still on: Aurora on strong nights (15 Sep – 31 Mar (usually)), Loch Ness Marathon (27 Sep)

Shoulder season — school holidays in 2 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month

• Hazard

  Snow gates on the A9 and passes

  15 Nov – 31 Mar · usuallyClosures

  The gates at Drumochter and Slochd shut in the worst of it and the Highland roads south close with them, sometimes for a day. Check before driving rather than on the way. Source ↗

• Festival

  Inverness Christmas Market

  20 Nov – 24 Dec · usuallyChristmas & New Year

  Huts and a small fair on Falcon Square from late November, and the ice rink beside them. The town is dark by half past three, which does most of the work. Source ↗

Still on: Aurora on strong nights (15 Sep – 31 Mar (usually))

Busy — Christmas holidays in United Kingdom, school holidays in 6 of the markets that fill it

Nothing new starts in December.

Still on: Aurora on strong nights (15 Sep – 31 Mar (usually)), Snow gates on the A9 and passes (15 Nov – 31 Mar (usually)), Inverness Christmas Market (20 Nov – 24 Dec (usually))