What’s on in Nairn and when?
A year round review of everything happening in this hidden gem of a place!
When planning a holiday, whether it’s a day trip, a staycation, or a grand tour, knowing the best time to visit is essential. Luckily in Nairn, there’s always something going on!
Nairn has a lot to offer visitors all year round, and 2024 is shaping up to be a great year for events, large and small.
To start the ball rolling there is the Taste of Nairn on 10-13 May, a 3-day food and drink festival with events being held in businesses all over the town and an artisan market held in the Nairn Community and Arts Centre featuring stalls, demonstrations, and contests.
Spring/Summer 2024
The Bandstand Beer and Music Festival – 2 – 6 May 2024.
A fabulous local festival from the CAMRA Highlands and Islands Pub of the Year 2021 & 2023 – with beer, food, music and more. Guest ales are served inside and outside the pub in a marquee in the garden and it’s a very popular event!
The Summer market will be held on 13 July along Nairn High Street where once again the High Street will be a thoroughfare for stalls and shops opening their doors wide to welcome everyone. Reducing the traffic on the High Street from time to time really helps to create that relaxing atmosphere allowing everyone to get out and about and meet up with friends.
Nairn Show – 27 July 2024
The Nairn Show is back at Davidson Park where there will be stalls, livestock and plenty of fun to be had. There is a huge flower and produce show with many classes of entry from knitted goods to oatcakes – fascinating!
Late Summer
Nairn Highland Games – 17 August 2024
The Highland Games – with Piping, dancing and athletic contests including the Nairn Road Runners Half Marathon, there’s something for everyone, a great day out. It’s thought to be the last free Highland Games in the country and always a big draw for returning Nairnites from all over the world!
Autumn
Nairn Book and Arts Festival – 31 August to 8 September 2024
Nairn Book and Arts Festival is the town’s nine – day celebration of the arts and the huge variety of creative talent we have here in Nairn and the Highlands. Featuring a packed programme of accessible outdoor performance, live music and creative events for all the family, author talks – tours, workshops and exhibitions, and at least one day when fancy dress will be obligatory! Follow them on social media: Instagram or Facebook. Volunteer for, or sponsor the festival: [email protected]
Wheels of Nairn – 21 September 2024
Wheels of Nairn is a classic and modern vehicle show set with the stunning backdrop of the Moray Firth. Stalls, entertainment and refreshments are also featured at the show.
Other Attractions
Of course, you don’t need an event as a reason to visit Nairn, here are some of the attractions open locally for you to visit all year round (opening days/times may vary so please make sure to check in advance).
- Cawdor Castle
- Nairn Beach
- Nairn Museum
- Fort George
- Brodie Castle
- The Dava Way
- Culbin Forest
- Nairn Golf Club
- The Secret Beach
- The Little Theatre
- Nairn Sports Club
- Nairn Community & Arts Centre
- Nairn Dunbar Golf Club
- Boath House
- Logie Steading
- Cairngorms National Park
- Boath Doocot
- Rait Castle
- Bowhunter Archery
- Ardersier
Visit Scotland, which lists Nairn as number one in the top 11 best places to stay in the Highlands, lists sights and activities for the area along with suggestions for accommodation, eating out and events.