Inverness Events and Festivals winter programme update

Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group are delighted to announce that they will be hosting the annual bonfire and fireworks at Bught Park on Tuesday 5 November 2024, once again working with Fireworx Scotland to bring a spectacular display. 

Unfortunately, due to the ongoing works at Bught Park it is not possible to accommodate Horne’s Funfair this year, but there will be an array of local food vendors to suit everyone’s tastes.  Entertainment will commence at 5.30pm with the fireworks display starting at 7pm.

Sadly, due to limited access to both Bught Park and Northern Meeting Park and consequent increased costings for infrastructure the Red Hot Highland Fling will not take place in the Highland Capital this year.

This was a very difficult decision as the Events and Festivals Working Group recognises the importance of the Red Hot Highland Fling as a stalwart in the city events calendar.

Provost of Inverness and Chair of the Events and Festivals Working Group, Cllr Glynis Sinclair said: "We have to ensure that all our community events can be delivered successfully and noting the unique circumstances posed by the re-development of Northern Meeting Park we have decided that we will reserve our resources for an exciting return of the much loved Red Hot Highland Fling in 2025 when we will have all the benefits of a redeveloped Northern Meeting Park."

Don Johnstone Chief Executive of Visit Inverness Loch Ness said: "The Red Hot Highland Fling has been central to the Hogmanay celebrations in Inverness for a number of years, and there will doubtless be disappointment at this news. Given the circumstances it was the most responsible decision for the group to take. By making this decision early, it will hopefully provide local hospitality businesses the opportunity to further enhance their own offerings, which play an important part in the new year celebrations for both locals and visitors."

Provost Sinclair added: "Planning is already underway for 2025 with exciting developments to the Inverness Events Programme which we look forward to sharing about the return of the Red Hot Highland Fling on the 31 December 2025."