Christmas is fast approaching and Inverurie is gearing up for the big day with a number of events throughout the season.
Arranged by We Are Inverurie – the town’s Business Improvement Disrict group (BID), the events will bring a festive feel to the Garioch town.
They will start on November 17 with Thainstone Exchange hosting a Christmas fayre between 10am and 4pm.
Inverurie BID promises that it will be a day “filled with Christmas crafts, food and entertainment”.
Christmas light event
A highlight in the festive calendar for towns and villages across the north-east, Inverurie’s Christmas lights will be switched on this year on December 1.
The event, officially called “The BIG Switch On”, will take place on Market Street between 2pm and 6pm.
It will include the St Andrew’s parade at 3.30pm and a fireworks display at 5pm.
Thousands of people are expected to attend the “festive, magical day” in Inverurie town centre.
Santa Claus will be flying into Inverurie from the North Pole three times before he returns on the night before Christmas.
This year’s Santa’s grotto will take place on December 7 between 2pm and 5pm, and on December 14 from 3pm to 5.30pm.
Organisers said: “Wee ones will have the opportunity to meet Santa Claus in a charmingly decorated grotto with the opportunity to make memories that will last a lifetime.”
For all the party revellers out there, a Christmas party night has been arranged for December 7, kicking off at 6.30pm and lasting until midnight.
Taking place at Garioch Indoor Bowling Centre on Harlaw Road, it has been described as the “perfect way to kick-off the holiday season”.
The day after, the disco lights will be replaced by music and games for both kids and adults as Santa comes for breakfast.
Lasting two hours from 10.30am, the event will also include a small kids’ gift from Father Christmas.
‘Hugely popular, unique and thrilling’ event
The much anticipated “Tractor Fun Run” is back on December 13 from 4pm to 8.30pm.
It will start and end at the Garioch Heritage Centre – and also feature fire engines.
As well as this “hugely popular, unique and thrilling” event, a mini edition for under 10s will take place on the same evening between 6pm and 8.05pm.
Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer is waiting in the wings for the renowned Cairngorm Reindeer Herd to make their way from the Cairngorm Mountains to Inverurie.
A “must-see” event, the animals will be paraded through the town centre pulling Santa’s sleigh as Inverurie turns into the North Pole between 2.30pm and 5.30pm on December 14.
Return of the Santa run
To run off the pre-Christmas puddings and upcoming festive booze, you can take part in the town’s 5km “Santa Run” on December 15.
The timed run, for those aged 11 and over, will start and end at the town’s Wyness Hall on Jackson Street between 9.30am and 11.30am.
For those aged between five and 12, the 2km kids’ version to and from Inverurie Community Campus will take place on the same day between 10.40am and 12.25pm.
We Are Inverurie BID manager Derek Ritchie said: “Inverurie BID and Inverurie Events are, as always, very excited about our upcoming Christmas events programme.
“We are very much looking forward to the community of Inverurie and the surrounding area coming together and becoming part of our Christmas Festival programme.
“Most of our events are well established, tried and tested events that have proved very popular in recent years with the Inverurie community.”
Conversation