South Ayrshire's festive celebrations commence with family fun day

With the nights drawing in and a nip in the air, it's time to start planning for all things festive! 

Dig out your cosy Christmas jumpers and grab your loved ones because we're hosting a 'Festive Family Fun' day on Sunday 19 November, with a range of free activities and attractions for all the family to enjoy.

This year, festive fun will be spread across three town centre locations - the Cutty Sark Centre, The Grain Exchange and Ayr Town Hall from 12:00pm until 5:00pm. 

A range of interactive activities will be on offer at the Cutty Sark Centre making it a magical afternoon for all, including a Kid's Zone, portrait drawings, balloon modelling, face painting and a Christmas Wishing Tree.

Local schools and talented musicians will also take to the stage, performing festive songs that are sure to bring a smile to your face and get you in the Christmas spirit.

You can sing along to the festive tunes as you marvel at walkabout acts that will bring a touch of whimsy and wonder, creating a truly enchanting atmosphere. 

Santa Claus himself will of course be making a special appearance, greeting children with hearty ho-ho-hos in his grotto.    

At Ayr Town Hall, you can watch our Dance Extravaganza which will see local dancers aged between 2 and 22 years old taking to the stage to showcase their talents.   

If you're looking to start your festive shopping, our Christmas Market at the Grain Exchange is the perfect place, with local traders selling an array of bespoke items. Don't forget you can support local businesses with a range of fantastic shops available in Ayr Town Centre too.  

Fancy a festive challenge? Make your way around the 'Christmas Trail' to find 9 hidden letters. If you collect them all, you can return your completed Christmas Trail cards to staff at the Cutty Sark building to claim a small prize!

Mark your calendars and be sure to join us for this year's festivities as we kickstart the most magical time of the year.

South Ayrshire Council's Portfolio Holder for Tourism, Culture and Rural Affairs, Councillor Alec Clark said:  "I'm truly excited about Ayr's Festive Family Fun event.  It's a wonderful chance for our community to come together and celebrate the festive spirit with friends and family.  This year's event features some exciting interactive attractions - these are sure to provide lots of photo opportunities for everyone to make magical seasonal memories."