Welcome 2020 in style with the top Hogmanay and New Year events in the Highlands
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DREADING the post-Christmas blues? Don't worry – there's still plenty going on to keep your festive spirits up...
December 27
Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Ironworks, Inverness, 7.30pm. Bagpipes with attitude, drums with a Scottish accent and a show so hot it carries its own health warning. www.ironworksvenue.com/event/red-hot-chilli-pipers-3
December 28
Rhythmnreel, Duthac Centre, Tain, 7.30pm. Fundraising festive bash. www.facebook.com/events/duthac-centre/rhythmnreel-at-duthac-centre-tain/2090560414584871
Mànran, Strathpeffer Pavilion, Strathpeffer, 8pm. Music from one of the best-known and best-loved Scottish bands. Tickets cost £20. www.highlifehighland.com/strathpefferpavilion/event/manran-with-special-guests-rura
December 31
Rhythmnreel Hogmanay Bash, Ironworks, Inverness, 9pm. The Highland's biggest indoor party. www.ironworksvenue.com/event/rhythmnreel
Hogmanay Street Party, Sir John's Square, Thurso, 11pm-1am. Featuring music from Cover2Cover. www.facebook.com/events/2352906864957592
Dornoch Street Party, The Square, Dornoch, 10:30pm. The famous Dornoch Hogmanay Party with Red Reel Ceilidh Band. A lone piper will play on the castle battlements at midnight, followed by a firework display, and best of all it's free entry. www.dornoch.org.uk/new-year-celebrations.asp
Red Hot Highland Fling Hogmanay Show, Northern Meeting Park, Inverness, 8pm. Scotland's biggest free Hogmanay concert. www.invernessfestivals.com/winter08/events_directory.php
Hogmanay Hoolie, Mercure Hotel, Church Street, Inverness. A gala buffet dinner in the evening will be followed by a special celebration dance featuring the fabulous Texas Gun and the wonderful high energy Joe Davitt and his Country Band. www.northhighlandevents.co.uk/event/hogmanay-hooley-new-year-2020-in-the-heart-of-inverness
Hogmanay Gala Dinner, Kingsmills Hotel, Culcabock Road, Inverness. A delicious 5-course gala dinner followed by a real hooley featuring Torridon. Adult tickets are £105 and child tickets (11 years and under) are £70. www.kingsmillshotel.com/hotel/special-offers/festive-offers/hogmanay-gala-dinner
Hogmanay at MacDonald Aviemore Resort, Aviemore. Start the night off with a 3-course set meal, followed by children's games, a live show, an amazing ceilidh band and a fantastic firework display to bring in the bells. www.macdonaldhotels.co.uk/hidden/hogmanay-at-macdonald-aviemore-resort
Hootananny Hogmanany Extravaganza, Hootananny, Church Street, Inverness, 8pm. 3 floors of entertainment to bring in 2020! www.hootanannyinverness.co.uk/event/hootananny-hogmanany-extravaganza-2/?instance_id=4608
Hogmanay Smoko Party, Old Bridge Inn, Aviemore, 9pm. With DJs Kristian Elliot and OC. www.whatsonhighlands.com/listings/27225-hogmanay-smoko-party
January 1
New Year Soakin', Thurso Beach, Thurso, noon-4pm. Kick start 2020 with a splash in the sea! Registration for adults is £10 and for kids £1. All money raised to go towards Thurso Harbour regeneration plans. www.thursocdt.co.uk/new-year-soakin
Dornoch Loony Dook, Dornoch Beach, 12:15pm for 12:30pm splash (note later start for tide times). Watch the brave ones doing the dook. Soup and porridge available! www.dornoch.org.uk/new-year-celebrations.asp
Annual Dare to Dip!, Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, Kincraig, 10am-11.30am. £5 entry fee to raise funds for Lucky 2B Here, which aims to place defibrillators and deliver emergency life support training to communities throughout Scotland. www.facebook.com/events/loch-insh-outdoor-centre/annual-dare-to-dip/376214176655349
8th Annual Melvaig Loony Dook, Melvaig Jetty, Melvaig, noon-1pm. Fancy dress optional! www.facebook.com/events/1325331017630594
January 11
Auld New Year Ceilidh, Bonar Bridge Community Hall, Bonar Bridge, 7pm. A ceilidh and music by locals. www.sutherlandsessions.com/newpage
Burning of the Clavie, Burghead. A barrel of burning staves is carried through the streets to Doorie Hill where it is fuelled and left to burn out. Charred remnants bring luck for the coming year. www.burghead.com/clavie
