Festive fun in Blairgowrie and Rattray

Date: Monday 18 November

November 2024

Festive fun in Blairgowrie and Rattray

Blairgowrie and Rattray is set to celebrate the festive season in style this year with a Christmas Festival.

The Christmas Festival begins on Saturday, November 30, with the popular Farmers’ and Producers’

Market and the Christmas Lights switch-on event in the Wellmeadow.

November 30 is also the start of a Christmas Trail competition, which is open to everyone. More than 30 businesses around the town will each be displaying a number that has been drawn by a local school pupil. To be in with a chance of winning a prize, entrants must match the number to the name of the business. Entry forms will be available in each of the participating businesses and completed forms should be handed into the BaRI Building.

And a Christmas window display competition for shops and business in the town will be judged by representatives from the Blairgowrie and Rattray Access Network (BRAN) – winners of the Blairgowrie Advertiser Community Group of the Year Award this year.

A number of other seasonal events are set to take place in the east Perthshire town in the run-up to the big day itself, including a traditional panto from award-winning local amateur dramatic group the Blairgowrie Players from December 4 to December 8.

Independent shopkeepers in Blairgowrie and Rattray will also be sharing the Christmas spirit and extending their opening hours until 7pm on the evening of Tuesday, December 3, to give local residents and visitors to the town an opportunity to do their Christmas shopping locally.

To add to the festive feel at the late-night opening evening, there will be performances from pipe bands, carol singers and the Blair Ukes, with winter warming mulled wine and speciality pizzas also available.

Kate Davies from Adventure Into Books is chair of the Blairgowrie and Rattray Business Association (BARBA), which is organising the late-night opening event and the competitions.

She said: “We have a fantastic selection of independent retailers here in Blairgowrie and Rattray from whom you can purchase wonderful gifts for all the family - from sparkles and perfumes to beauty treatments and reviving massages, from tasty fare to air fryers and crystal glasses, from books and jigsaws to flowers and chocolates, from ukuleles and whistles to scarfs, shawls and cosy jumpers, from cards and art to fishing rods and antiques, there’s truly a treat for everyone’s stocking.

“The late-night opening event is always a lovely evening with lots of entertainment as well as the shopping on offer.

“And there’ll be plenty of cheer as you follow the Christmas Trail around town in the first two weeks of December.

“We’re also looking forward to seeing the creative talents of our local businesses on display for this year’s Christmas window competition.”

Linda Tait is chair of Blairgowrie and Rattray Development Trust (BRDT) which is supporting the Christmas Festival.

She said: “Blairgowrie and Rattray is a vibrant town with much to offer residents and visitors, and we are delighted to be part of BARBA’s Christmas Festival this year highlighting the abundance of choice for gifts on our High Street and town centre and what a pleasure it is to shop locally.”

Business owner and silversmith Sarah Cave is one of the businesses involved in the Christmas Festival this year.

She said: “We’re looking forward to a great evening at the late-night opening event and to a busy few weeks in the run-up to Christmas.

“There are lots of benefits to shopping local, not least of which are that it is convenient and better for the environment. You also get a really personal service from local producers who really know their products and their customers and can help you make more thoughtful purchases for your loved ones.

“So pop-in and see us this Christmas and help support your local community!”

For more information on BARBA, email admin@barba.org.uk

For further information or media enquiries, please contact Clare McMicking on telephone 07514 343 042 or email media@brdt.org.uk

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