Friday 8th December
Festival Welcome - Mulled wine and canapes
Fog Room at the Fife Arms Hotel
5pm
Free
Festival Dinner by Fish Shop Ballater
The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion
6.30pm
£55 per person to include a welcome drink, dinner and live music
Pre-booking require via link below
Crab crumpets
Fish soup, rouille toasts
Shetland Cod, chestnut, cavolo nero, chicken butter sauce
Carrot cake, sea buckthorn mousse, pumpkin seed
Live music by Tania Nicol accompanied by Ciorstaidh Beaton.
Music Cafe
The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion
9pm
£10 per person
If you are unable to attend the dinner but would like to come along to enjoy the music and bar please book your place below.
Saturday 9th December
Wreath Making Workshop with Coo Hill Studio
Village Hall
9.30am - 12noon
£60 per person
Come along and enjoy a relaxed workshop making a luxury fresh Christmas wreath for your front door. We will be using gorgeous winter foliages, berries, dried fruits and other natural textures and materials, beautiful ribbons and added extras! Learn wiring and floristry techniques and tricks to use again and again and bring home a unique, sustainably-made treasure for your home. Hand-made, natural Christmas joy!
Jingle Bell Jaunt
Meet at the Mews
12.30pm
£6 per person (children are free!)
Come along in your finest festive attire and accessories to jingle your way round Braemar (approx. 1.5 miles). Jingle bells will be provided but please feel free to bring your own to spread that extra Christmas joy! Soup and mince pies will be provided at the end of the jaunt at The Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion.
All proceeds will go to Braemar Care. Register your place by emailing admin@stmargaretsbraemar.org.uk or turn up in your festive gear ready to jaunt.
Soup sponsored by Braemar Butcher
Wreath Making Workshop with Coo Hill Studio
Village Hall
2pm - 4.30pm
£60 per person
Come along and enjoy a relaxed workshop making a luxury fresh Christmas wreath for your front door. We will be using gorgeous winter foliages, berries, dried fruits and other natural textures and materials, beautiful ribbons and added extras! Learn wiring and floristry techniques and tricks to use again and again and bring home a unique, sustainably-made treasure for your home. Hand-made, natural Christmas joy!
Weaving Workshop with Arra Textiles
Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion
2pm - 4.30pm
£68 per person
Immerse yourself in the art of weaving at the Duke of Rothesay Pavilion, Braemar for a truly magical winter workshop to create your very own custom fabric. In an small group setting, you'll delve into a world of weaving techniques and structures, gaining essential theoretical insights. Your creative journey continues as you craft a weft-based colour pattern that reflects your unique vision. Guided by expert hands, you'll bring your masterpiece to life on a meticulously pre-setup 4-shaft table loom.
Our canvas of choice is a British wool warp, thoughtfully prepared and ready for your artistic touch. Throughout the workshop, you'll weave enough fabric to create a panel of bespoke designs.
Soundbath
Castleton Hall - Upstairs
3pm - 4pm
Come and enjoy some relaxation during the festive period. A soundbath is a form of sound therapy. A sound meditation, using crystal and Tibetian bowls which may help with stress reduction, improve sleep quality, stimulate circulation and strengthen the immune system. Help to bring the body and mind back into balance and harmony.
Food Carts and Fires
St Margaret’s
4pm- 6pm
Balnault Farm
Auld Smokey Pizza
Mulled Wine
A Celebration of Christmas Concert
St Margaret’s
6pm - 8pm
£15 per person/£5 per child
A great start to the Christmas season with St Margaret's 'dressed' for Christmas. The concert, which will be a mix of different Christmas music, features Aberdeen University Chamber Choir, Braemar Primary School, Bon Accord Brass Quintet plus the opportunity for audience participation throughout the programme.
Sunday 10th December
Christmas Markets
The Ghillie’s Larder - St Margaret’s
Craft Market - Village Hall
The Ghillie’s Tipple - Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion
10am - 3pm
Horse Carriage Rides
Sponsored by the Fife Arms Hotel
Pick up points at St Margaret’s and Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion
10am - 3pm
Free
Shorty’s Sweet Treats and Coffee
Outside St Margaret’s
10am - 4.30pm
Santa’s Grotto
Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion
10am - 12noon
£4 per child
Story and Songs with Santa
Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion
12noon
Free
Santa’s Grotto
Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion
1.15pm - 3.15pm
£4 per child
Story and Songs with Santa
Duke of Rothesay Highland Games Pavilion
3.15pm
Free
Mulled Wine and Fires
Outside St Margaret’s
3pm - 4.30pm
Festival Finale - Ballater Pipe Band
Outside St Margaret’s
4pm
Christmas Quiz Night
Farquharson’s
8pm
£10 per team of 4
To book your place call 013397 41955