What's On

Eventful times

Arran has an amazing community and whilst we have some big international events, we also want to invite our visitors to join in with local events too.

The two biggest, and longest established, events on the island both take place in August – Arran Farmers’ Show takes place the first Wednesday in August, and Brodick Highland Games takes place ‘the first Saturday after the Show’ (there’s a wee quirk for you!). Former Arranachs often flock back home that week as it’s a great way to catch up with old friends from days gone by.

However, if big events aren't your thing, there’s also lots of smaller community events – village coffee mornings, sales of work, concerts, ceilidhs. These are a great way to find out more about each village, and be sure and take time to listen to the local craic. While you're here pick up a copy of the local paper 'The Arran Banner' and check out the 'What's On' pages.

Arran’s creativity comes to the fore with plentiful arts festivals and events. Various music festivals (Arran Music Festival, Music Arran, Arran Folk Festival etc) take place throughout the year, whilst the McLellan Arts Festival takes place in September. Arran Open Studios have an open weekend in August when you can visit artists at work. Performing arts also include dramatic performances which take place in villages on an ad hoc basis, as well as the Arran Drama Festival each February.

Arran’s amazing natural environment is also the perfect playground for sporting events such as trail runs, ultra marathons, Arran Sportive, Rugby 7s and Cricket 6s!

Scroll down to see some of Arran's 2024 events or view a downloadable list of the rest of this year's events here.

Some upcoming events for your diary

There’s always loads to do on your visit to Arran. Every week there are lots of local daily activities that will welcome visitors, as well as larger special one-off events and festivals.

We'll continue to update this page with events happening in 2024 as they're announced so keep checking back!

What's On

Craft Club
Whiting Bay hall (lesser hall)

LAST WEDNESDAY OF EVERY MONTH

All welcome! Different craft activity each month. Cost £7.50 pp to include tea/coffee, cake and  craft materials.

Folk Music Session
Ormidale Hotel, Brodick

EVERY SUNDAY

9pm Come along and sing, play or just listen to local musicians perform folk, blues, jazz, pop, etc.

General Knowledge Quiz
The Ormidale

EVERY THURSDAY

Join Tommy every Thursday at 9pm for his famous general knowledge quiz. The oldest established - and best - general quiz on Arran!

Find out more
Open Sessions
Ormidale Pavilion

EVERY FRIDAY

7pm Come along and sing, play or just listen to local musicians perform folk, blues, jazz, pop, etc. BYOB. Donation welcome toward room hire. 

Rock & Pop Bingo
The Ormidale

EVERY WEDNESDAY

Join Trev for a fun game (or two) of Rock & Pop Bingo! Listen to some great tracks and score them off on your bingo card for a striaght line or a full house! Great fun for all!

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Trev's Pop Music Quiz
The Ormidale

EVERY TUESDAY

Test your knowledge and/or guesswork in our fun, informal Pop quiz and compete for "sensational" prizes.

Quizmaster Trevor will be donning the golden jacket and asking the questions.

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Island Vibes & Salty Tides
Saltwater Gallery
25th June - 28th September 

We invite you to immerse yourself in the island and coastal life. With artwork by a group of talented artists, each inspired by the beauty and vibrant landscape of the island and coastline of Scotland. 

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COASTal Nature Tour on RV COAST Explorer
COAST Discovery Centre Lamlash

Join RV COAST Explorer on a 3hr Coastal Nature Trip around Arran's coastline to search for seabirds and dorsal fins, and to learn more about our underwater habitat and Arran's unique coastline.

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Sea Science Boat Trip
COAST Discovery Centre, Lamlash

"Seas the Day" aboard COAST Explorer. Dive into marine research and uncover the secrets of the seabed on our captivating Sea Science trips. Join COAST scientists aboard the RV COAST Explorer as we explore the ocean's wonders and witness the positive impact of marine protected areas.

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Snorkel Taster Sessions 2024
COAST Discovery Centre, Lamlash

Looking for the chance to learn to snorkel safely, build your confidence and have fun, whilst being taught by fully qualified BSAC instructors? Then join COAST for one of our snorkel taster sessions!

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Gaelic Landscape Walk - Kilmory
Kilmory Hall & Bunkhouse 18 Oct 2024

12pm-3pm

A Southend to the coast, through woodland and farmland; discovering our Gaelic cultural and natural history along the way!

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The Miller Violin Duo and Derek Clark
Arran High School 18 Oct 2024

Presents... The Golden Age of Hollywood. 

7:30pm

A recital for 2 violins and piano celebrating the musix of classic Hollywood, featuring moving pictures and an all start cast including Waxman, Korngold, Walton and many more... 

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Get Knotting! - An Introduction to Macrame with Walter Brown
The Ranger Centre, Brodick Castle 19 Oct 2024

10am - 4pm This workshop aims to provide a beginners’ introduction to the world of macramé, though, should you be more experienced, it may help you develop your own ideas. You will learn to tie a few, really easy, basic knots and then apply them both singularly and in configurations to make the desired item, perhaps with the use of a ring, beads or bells. 

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Davis Robb Duo
Arran High School, Lamlash 21 Oct 2024

7.30pm Andrew Robb, a multi award winning jazz double bassist & Emily Davis used to be the co-concertmaster with RSNO and is currently the Concertmaster with Stavanger Symphony Orchestra. The Davis Robb Duo have just released their debut album Long Days, Short Nights which features classical music, the Great American Songbook, folk music from Brazil, Scotland and Norway. Tickets £12 in advance from Inspirations or on the door, free to under 18s. 

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Miller Violin Duo
Arran High School, Lamlash 26 Oct 2024

7.30pm The Miller Violin Duo is made up of Scottish violinists Alison Miller and Danny Miller. At home they freelance with the Orchestra of Scottish Opera, Scottish Ballet, BBCSSO and the Royal Scottish National Orchestra. Their repertoire is ever expanding and covers a range of genres from Baroque through to 20th Century and Scottish traditional music. Tickets £12 in advance from Inspirations or on the door, free to under 18s. 

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Pumpkin Patch in The Park
Sandbraes Park, Whiting Bay 27 Oct 2024

12pm-2pm 

Seascapes - Exploring Different Media with Senja Brendon
The Ranger Centre, Brodick Castle 02 Nov 2024

10am - 4pm In this workshop, participants will have the opportunity to explore a variety of mediums to paint and draw the sea. 

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Shiskine Hall Soup & Sandwiches
Shiskine Hall, Torbeg 02 Nov 2024

Come along to Shiskine Hall and enjoy delicious soup and tasty sandwiches - and support this great community facility at the same time!

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ShopArran
Arran 19 Nov 2024

17th - 19th November 2025

Over 25 Arran shops to visit! -Prize Draw! - Special Offers! - Christmas Cheers!

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Santa's Christmas Market
Arran High School, Lamlash 23 Nov 2024

Opens 11am - market, café, music, Santa's Grotto - Arran's largest Christmas market with over 50 stalls. Offering a fine selection of unique handcrafted items, gifts and food.

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Trio Arisonto Concert
Arran High School, Lamlash 23 Nov 2024

7.30pm A Violin, horn and piano trio based in the Royal Academy of Music. Tickets £12 in advance from Inspirations or on the door. Free to under 18s. 

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Arran Pantomime 5,6,7th Dec 2024
Arran Community Theatre, KACampus, Lamlash KA27 8NB 05 Dec 2024

Lamlash Drama Club & Friends invite you to enjoy their production of Red Riding Hood! On from Thursday 5th until Sat 7th each evening, with an additional matinee on Saturday afternoon. Great fun for all the family.

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Arran Rock and Blues Festival
Brodick 04 May 2025

2nd - 4th May 2025

The Arran Rock n Blues Festival is a family friendly music festival taking place at the Ormidale park in Brodick with acoustic sets at The Brodick Golf Club on Friday 2nd May until Sunday 4th May 2025.

The fun kicks off in the marquee at 7pm on Friday 2nd then all day Saturday 12 until 12 and Sunday 12.30 until 9pm.

 It is a welcoming inclusive festival run over two days with local food and drink.

Find out more