Tag: festive events

Deer Park unwraps a festive calendar of fun for December

Deer Park Golf & Country Club is set to bring a touch of Christmas magic to West Lothian this December, with a month-long programme of festive events for families, friends and colleagues to enjoy.

The Livingston-based premier golf and leisure destination will be transformed into a hub of yuletide celebration, hosting everything from Breakfast with Santa and Festive Party Nights to a sparkling New Year’s Eve celebration to see out 2025 in style.

A firm favourite for local families, Breakfast with Santa returns on Sunday 7 and 14 December. Children can tuck into a hearty breakfast before meeting Father Christmas himself, a moment that is sure to make the season extra special. Tickets cost £6.99 per adult and £10.99 per child. 

Throughout December, visitors can also enjoy festive lunches in the clubhouse or opt for the popular Festive Bowl & Dine package, two games of ten-pin bowling followed by a two-course meal for £36.95. It is the perfect way to celebrate with friends or colleagues in relaxed surroundings filled with good food and laughter.

Those looking to dance the night away can book one of Deer Park’s Festive Party Nights, complete with great food, music and entertainment all for £42.50 per person.

Several dates have already sold out with tickets remaining for 5, 6, 19 and 20 December. The celebrations culminate with Deer Park’s New Year’s Eve Party on 31 December, promising a night of dining, dancing and good cheer as guests welcome 2026.

Natasha McAllister, General Manager at Deer Park, said: “December is one of our favourite times of year at Deer Park.

“The atmosphere is always fantastic, the events team go above and beyond to make everything special, and it is wonderful to see our local community coming together to celebrate.

“Whether it is breakfast with Santa, an afternoon with friends or a night on the dance floor, it is all about enjoying those festive moments.”

Deer Park’s festive calendar reflects the club’s reputation as a hub for leisure and celebration in West Lothian, offering a warm welcome and great hospitality all year round.

Advance booking is recommended for all festive events. For more information or to book, visit www.deer-park.co.uk, contact events@deer-park.co.uk or call 01506 446 699.

First-ever Christmas Drive In Movie Night at The Centre for CHAS

The Centre, Livingston, one of Scotland’s largest shopping centres, has announced its Christmas events plan to raise funds and awareness for the children’s charity, Children’s Hospices Across Scotland, (CHAS), which includes its first-ever Christmas ‘Movie Under the Stars Drive-In’ and free festive workshops.

This is the third year the shopping centre has partnered with CHAS, which provides the only hospice services in Scotland for children and young people with life-shortening conditions. Various events over the years have included an Elf Walk and Breakfast with Santa.

This year on the 6th December, The Centre, Livingston is hosting its first-ever Christmas ‘Movies Under The Stars Drive-In’ on the 3rd floor of Car Park 1, featuring the family-favourite film, Elf at 6pm, and the classic romantic comedy, Love Actually at 9pm.

Tickets are £20 per car, plus £1.50 booking fee, and can be purchased at https://thelittleboxoffice.com/skylightcinema/event/view/204923 for Elf and https://thelittleboxoffice.com/skylightcinema/event/view/204925 for Love Actually.

All proceeds will be going to CHAS. Terms & Conditions are on the website, www.thecentrelivingston.com.

Kids will also get the chance to decorate a special bauble, with help from Santa’s Elves, and hang them on the Christmas trees at festive arts and crafts workshops, located near the Post Office. These will run on weekends in the run up to Christmas; 30th November – 1st December, 7th – 8th December and 14th – 15th December, between 11am-4pm.

As part of the charity partnership, CHAS will also be hosting a pop up in the shopping centre on Saturday, 30th November and Sunday, 1st December to raise funds and awareness about the services they offer.

Throughout the festive period shoppers will also be able to make donations at two CHAS contactless pods, located opposite the Post Office and next to the washroom facilities adjacent to Hotel Chocolat, which will be in situ until the end of the year.

Tess Sundberg, Marketing Manager at The Centre, Livingston, said: “We are very excited to launch our Christmas events plan this year, which includes our first Christmas Drive-In Movie Night and free festive arts and crafts, to help raise money for CHAS again.

“This is a charity which is very close to our hearts which is why we like to partner with them at this time of year to help raise funds and even more awareness of the incredible work they are doing. We look forward to welcoming them at their pop up on the last weekend of November.”

Alison Rennie, Community Fundraiser at CHAS, said: “We are very excited to partner with The Centre, Livingston for another magical Christmas season. 

“Their incredible support helps us bring joy, comfort and unforgettable moments to children with life-limiting conditions and their families during the most precious time of the year. Together, we can make a real difference this Christmas, creating memories that will last a lifetime.

“We are really looking forward to hosting our pop up in the shopping centre on Saturday, 30th November and Sunday, 1st December. Visitors can meet our team and learn more about the vital care we provide. We’ll also be selling a range of festive CHAS Christmas merchandise, perfect for gifts, and some of your favourite characters will be there to add to the holiday magic.

“We’ll also be joined by the wonderful Linlithgow Male Choir, who will be entertaining shoppers with carol singing on Saturday, adding to the festive cheer.”

Other activities taking place at The Centre, Livingston include an ‘Advent Calendar Spin the Wheel’, located near Waterstones, where shoppers will get the chance to win various prizes every day from the 1st – 24th December.  

These include a luxury Velvetiser hot chocolate machine from Hotel Chocolat, worth £99.95, a Rituals Gift Set worth £43.90, JBL Headphones from Vodaphone worth £50, a meal for two at wagamama and lots more. Daily updates can be found on The Centre, Livingston social media channels.

www.instagram.com/thecentrelivingston https://www.facebook.com/shopthecentre

SANTA PAWS: Bring your dog to Dobbies for a ‘paw-sitively’ magical experience 

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is announcing the return of its hugely popular Santa Paws experience in its Edinburgh store and Stockbridge little dobbies, designed for dog lovers where cherished pets can meet Santa Claus.

This paw-sitively special festive experience gives pup parents the chance to head along to Dobbies’ Edinburgh stores and see Santa. Dogs in attendance will get to meet Mr Claus and take a photo, before receiving a special pet-friendly toy to take home and open on Christmas Day. There’s also the chance to have a professional photo taken at the Melville store.

Santa Paws will be taking place from Saturday 2 until Saturday 23 December on selected days and is priced at £6.99 per dog.

Sarah Murray, who leads Dobbies’ festive events plans, said: “We absolutely love making amazing experiences, and Santa Paws really shows how dedicated we are to that. It’s an occasion to celebrate the joy our pets bring into our lives, and a chance for dog owners and families to create cherished Christmas memories together at our Edinburgh stores.

“We look forward to sharing the magic of Christmas as families come along to Santa Paws.”

Customers are encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment. To find out more about timings and bookings, visit dobbies.com/events. There’s the opportunity to make a donation to Teenage Cancer Trust during the booking process.

Dobbies’ Edinburgh store gets into the C******** Spirit with exciting line up of festive events

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre retailer, will make Christmas the most wonderful time of the year, with an incredible line up of fun and affordable festive events in its Edinburgh store to make the holiday season extra special for families. Tickets for all events are on sale now.

No Dobbies’ Christmas is complete without the famous Santa’s Grotto. Families in Edinburgh can enjoy an immersive experience where they’ll be guided by an elf through a Christmas tree forest, spotting magical characters along the way, before making a special item to take home. After that, they’ll spend time with Santa and get a special gift. Attendees can also choose to get a photo with Santa, so they’ll always have that special memory.

Santa’s Quiet Grotto will also be available on 8 December. This experience is designed to assist children with additional needs with customised sound and visual features to minimise anxiety.

Families with dogs will be thrilled to know that Dobbies’ Edinburgh store will be offering a Santa Paws Grotto experience. Dog lovers can bring their furry pals for doggie gifts and photo opportunities with Santa.

The always-popular Santa’s Breakfast is also taking place and is ideal for those under 10. Breakfast options will be available for both adults and children, including vegetarian selections. Kids can dive into exciting craft activities, enjoy festive games and receive a gift from Santa.

Dobbies’ Festive Afternoon Tea is the perfect opportunity for family and friends in Edinburgh to spend time together enjoying seasonal magic. There will be three tiers of tasty festive treats from finger sandwiches with honey roast ham to sweet treats like scones served with Cornish clotted cream, as well as unlimited tea and coffee. Attendees can also upgrade to enjoy more delicious savoury snacks like the prawn marie rose vol au vents, festive hot drinks, and even Prosecco for an additional treat.

It’s jingle bells all the way at Santa’s Arrival where lucky families will have the opportunity to see Santa at an informal opening night of the Grotto on 23 November. Santa will walk around the store, spending time with kids, taking selfies, and spreading holiday cheer.

Dobbies’ Christmas Shopping Night on 30 November is the perfect time for families to enjoy festive shopping while supporting Dobbies’ National Charity Partner, Teenage Cancer Trust. They can pick from lots of great gifts, beautiful decorations, and seasonal staples.

The Little Seedlings Christmas Party will also be taking place, exclusively for Little Seedlings Club members aged 4-10. Members will receive a VIP invite to attend, and can anticipate Christmas games, dancing, and delicious food, alongside a special visit from Santa, bearing a special gift.

Sarah Murray, who has developed this year’s events programme, said: “We are filled with excitement about the upcoming Christmas events in our Edinburgh store. Seeing families and friends come together, sharing laughter, and creating special memories is at the heart of what we do at Dobbies.

“Our team has poured their passion into crafting an array of festive experiences that will truly bring the magic of Christmas to life. We can’t wait to see the happiness these events bring our customers and their loved ones.”

Customers in Edinburgh are encouraged to book in advance for Dobbies’ Christmas events to avoid disappointment.

  • Santa’s Grotto runs from 23 November, £11.99 per child
  • Santa Paws runs from 2December, £6.99 per dog
  • Santa’s Breakfast takes place from 25 November onwards, £13.99 per child and from £9 per adult
  • Festive Afternoon Tea starts on 1 November and runs through December, prices from £13.50 for adults and £8.50 for children.
  • Santa’s Arrival takes place on 23 November from 4.30pm to 7pm
  • Christmas Shopping Night runs on 30 November, from 5pm to 9pm
  • The Little Seedlings Christmas Party takes place on 3December

To learn more about the events and bookings, please visit dobbies.com/events

Native Edinburgh announces festive programme of events

Lifestyle aparthotel, Native has announced an exciting programme of fun creative events in the run up to Christmas to kickstart the feelgood in your festivities in the Capital. 

Collaborating with local neighbourhood heroes including floral ateliers, Olly & Ivy and book store, Lighthouse, Native Edinburgh will host a jam-packed programme of interactive events in its speakeasy lounge Counter. 

From laid back Lounge Listening sessions where the best contemporary music is played on vinyl to wreath making masterclasses with a local Edinburgh florist, Counter will be the perfect place to unwind and get creative in Edinburgh this busy festive season. 

Their bustling festive schedule will see them partner with luxury floral designers Ollie & Ivy, Counter to host two elegant wreath making workshops on the 8th of December and 15th of December from 7pm.  

Trained in Paris and specialising in contemporary floral arrangements, Ollie & Ivy will teach guests how to expertly make striking festive wreaths. Using locally sourced foliage and organic materials, guests will learn how to create contemporary rustic Christmas wreaths that they will be proud to hang in their homes. Limited tickets include all materials to make the wreath in this two hour class.

Counter is also introducing a new monthly social club with the aim to bring creatives together in the local community. Their first meetup takes place this evening (November 30th) with curated readings and speakers from Lighthouse Books and is free to attend. Join them in Native from 7pm. 

Igniting creative imagination, don’t miss the boutique hotel’s debut Artist in Residence series featuring Stew Bryden – on display in Native Edinburgh until the end of the year. This new creative collaboration sees ten striking pieces shot by Bryden – famed for fashion and celebrity portraits, and displayed in Counter by Native Edinburgh for all to enjoy. 

Lsst night Counter hosted a ‘Lounge Listening’ session dedicated to South-London-born singer-songwriter Tom Misch, who performed his latest release ‘Quarantine Sessions’, an eight-track album composed of instrumental jam sessions, three originals and a diverse assortment of covers ranging from Solange to Nirvana. 

To make the working day easier, Counter’s popular ‘Coffee and Co-Work’ will continue every Monday to Friday from 9am to 5pm in December offering guests a comfortable home from home.

Offering fast wifi and a luxurious selection of food and drink, 9-5ers can have a change of scene at Counter, swapping working from home for working from a luxury apart hotel. To sweeten the deal, Counter is offering free coffee to guests when they purchase breakfast. 

Gary White, Regional Manager of Scotland Native Aparthotels, said: “Christmas is such a wonderful time of year and we’re excited to bring some Christmas magic to Native Edinburgh. 

“We hope to be a place where our guests can escape to kick back, relax and indulge their creativity this festive season. And it’s even better that we can support local businesses like Ollie & Ivy and Lighthouse Books whilst doing it. Our festive programme is now live and we hope you can join us.”

Festive Wreath Making with Ollie & Ivy events are expected to sell out quickly, and will take place on: Thursday 8th of December and Thursday 15th of December from 7pm 

For more information on Native’s festive programme, simply head HERE 

Festive fun for furry friends at little dobbies Stockbridge

The most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner, and what better way to celebrate than treating your pooch to some festive fun this Christmas at Dobbies.

The UK’s leading garden centre will be debuting its ever-popular Santa Paws event at the recently opened little dobbies Stockbridge store on limited weekend dates during December. A perfect opportunity to give four-legged friends a fun day out and get some great snaps for those Christmas cards.

Santa Paws offers the adorable chance for dogs to meet Santa and take home a special Christmas gift. A memorable experience for pets and owners alike.

Sarah Murray, Partnership and Events Manager at Dobbies, said: “We love welcoming furry friends to our stores throughout the year, and can’t wait to meet our four-legged customers this Christmas.

“This will be the first time Santa Paws has come to our little dobbies Stockbridge store, and we really hope locals and visitors alike can enjoy this offering.

“We have a wide range of products in-store that would make for the perfect Christmas treat for your furry friend, or special new accessory to don on Christmas day.”

This exclusive festive experience will take place outside the little dobbies Stockbridge store, where each dog will have a pre-booked slot with Santa. Booking is essential to enjoy this experience, and subject to availability.

Running on the 11,12, 18 and 19 December, customers and canines can enjoy this experienced in the run up to Christmas, priced at £6.99 per pet.

Santa Paws will also be taking place in Dobbies’ Edinburgh store during selected dates in December.

Find the full list of festive events and more information online, www.dobbies.com.