We love winter time here in Angus – the perfect time to catch up with family and friends, treat yourself and your loved ones to fantastic gifts from local businesses and get out and about enjoying festive events.
Shop local this Christmas
From gift ideas to food and drinks for your Christmas dinner, you’ll find it all here in Angus.
There’s nothing quite like the atmosphere and uniqueness on offer at local Christmas markets. See what’s on offer from local traders at the Glamis Castle Christmas Market on 27 & 28 November, and the Kingennie Christmas Market on 4 & 5 December. And don’t miss the Angus Farmers’ Market Forfar Christmas Evening Market on 22 December with a great selection of food, drinks, arts and crafts on offer from local producers.
If you’d rather hit your local high street and browse in your own time, the Visit Angus website features just some of our excellent local food and drink producers – with everything from fresh meat, fruit and veg and confectionary to beers and spirits. Or take a look at the Buy Angus directory of local retailers for even more inspiration.
Angus has extensive availability of both on and off street car parking which is free of charge, and on street car parking has recently been extended to 60 minutes giving you more time to shop.
There are also a number of electric charging points throughout Angus. Why not download the Visit Angus app which features a map of EV charging points, making it easier to plan your sustainable travel.
Enjoy winter events
Enjoy Magical Winter Nights at Brechin Castle Centre from 3 to 24 December. Immerse yourself in the world of fairy magic as you explore the woodland trail with stunning light effects, interactive illuminations and a giant Polar Bear.
Get your dancing shoes on and head to Piperdam for one of their glamorous Christmas Party Nights in December. Enjoy a delicious three course meal before dancing the night away with live music from Heart & Soul.
Join Murton for a Full Moon Hot Chocolate Torch Walk on 19 December when you can enjoy a walk round the nature reserve before warming up with a delicious hot drink in the tearoom. The walk is suitable for all ages, with different options to suit everyone.
Don’t forget about your four legged friends – they can have fun too with their very own festive experience at Dobbies Monifieth. Get a selfie with Santa in his grotto and a special treat to take away and enjoy.
Pay a visit to Santa
What would Christmas be without a visit from the man himself – Santa Claus. But you don’t have to wait until Christmas Day, you can go and visit Santa at one of the fabulous grottos in Angus.
At weekends in December, Santa will be at Glamis Castle where you will be welcomed by Santa’s elves before enjoying a festive tale with Mrs Claus and receiving a special gift from Santa.
Santa will also be at Murton handing out gifts and activity packs to lucky boys and girls, and at Dobbies Monifieth where you can also enjoy a festive trail.
See a pantomime or two
We all love a good pantomime to get us in the Christmas spirit – oh yes we do! And there are some great pantos to choose from in Angus this year.
See Camelot the Pantomine In Ye Olde kingdom of Monimikie where Princess Guinevere is to meet her intended, Prince Arthur, for the first time. Book your tickets for the show at Monifieth Theatre from 25 November to 5 December.
Kirrie Panto Group returns to the stage with the ever popular Dick Whittington where Dick travels to London accompanied by his faithful cat Tommy, to seek the streets that are paved with gold and make his fortune. See the show at Kirriemuir Town Hall from 7 to 11 December.
Come and join Aladdin, Wishee Washee and Widow Twankey at Abbey Theatre in Arbroath from 11 to 18 December, as Aladdin tries to stop the evil Jafar from stealing his girl!
Not a pantomime, but a great show nonetheless, see Forfar Dramatic Society’s adaptation of Roald Dahl’s ‘The Witches’ at Studio 132 in Forfar from 15 to 18 December. This delightfully dark tale tells of a clandestine conference of witches and the boy and his grandma who foil their wicked plans.
However you spend this festive season, we wish you all the best and will raise a mince pie to you (it’s never too early for a mince pie) – Merry Christmas everyone!
