Oban Winter Festival – Oban, Scotland 2025

Background & History

The Oban Winter Festival, launched in 2011, is an annual celebration in Oban, Argyll, transforming the coastal town into a festive hub from mid-November to December. Known as the “Gateway to the Isles,” Oban hosts this community-driven event with Christmas markets, light trails, live music, and family activities, drawing 5,000–10,000 visitors annually. The festival highlights local culture, crafts, and food, fostering community spirit and supporting local businesses.

The 2025 edition, themed around winter warmth, features the Winter Woods light trail and coincides with Oban’s Christmas lights switch-on, raising ~£3,000 for local charities in past years. obanwinterfestival.com. VisitScotland. scottishbanner.com.

Event Highlights

• Winter Woods Light Trail: 14–16 and 21–23 November 2025, Dunollie Castle grounds, immersive illuminated trail with music and storytelling (£8.50 adult ≈ $11.47 USD, £4 child ≈ $5.40 USD).
• Christmas Market: Weekend stalls at The Rockfield Centre and Station Square, offering local crafts, food (e.g., mince pies, mulled wine, $3–$10 USD), and gifts.
• Live Music & Ceilidhs: Traditional Scottish music and dancing at venues like The Corran Halls (dates TBD, ~$5–$15 USD, speculative).
• Santa’s Grotto: Family-friendly meet-and-greet at Oban Distillery or The Rockfield Centre (TBD, ~$5–$10 USD per child, speculative).
• Fireworks & Lights Switch-On: 14 November 2025 (speculative), free public event at Station Square with fireworks and carols. obanwinterfestival.com. VisitScotland.

Date & Duration

• Date: 14 November–21 December 2025.
• Duration: 38 days (split: 14–30 November, 1–21 December).
• Opening Times (Speculative, 2024-based):
  • Winter Woods: 14–16, 21–23 November, 5:00 PM–9:00 PM.
  • Christmas Market: Weekends (e.g., 15–16, 22–23 Nov), 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.
  • Fireworks/Lights Switch-On: 14 Nov, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM.
  • Ceilidhs/Events: Vary, typically 7:00 PM–10:00 PM.
• Note: Full schedule TBD September 2025 at www.obanwinterfestival.com. obanwinterfestival.com. VisitScotland.

Main Event Address

• Primary Venues:
  • Dunollie Castle Grounds, Dunollie Road, Oban, PA34 5TT (Winter Woods).
  • The Rockfield Centre, Stevenson Street, Oban, PA34 5NA (Christmas Market, Santa’s Grotto).
  • Station Square, Oban, PA34 5RT (Fireworks, Lights Switch-On).
  • The Corran Halls, 54 The Esplanade, Oban, PA34 5AB (ceilidhs, concerts).
• Secondary Venues: Oban Distillery (Stafford Street, PA34 5NH, possible Santa’s Grotto), local pubs (e.g., The Oban Inn).
• Administrative Contact: Oban Winter Festival, c/o BID4Oban, 49 Combie Street, Oban, PA34 4HS; info@obanwinterfestival.com.
• Note: Accessibility varies; Dunollie has uneven terrain, and Corran Halls offers ramps. Contact info@obanwinterfestival.com for details. Maps at www.obanwinterfestival.com. obanwinterfestival.com. VisitScotland.

Contact Information

• Email: info@obanwinterfestival.com.
• Phone: +44 1631 562 123 (BID4Oban, festival inquiries, speculative).
• Website: www.obanwinterfestival.com (schedule, tickets, FAQs).
• Social Media: @ObanWinterFest (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter/X). Newsletter signup at www.obanwinterfestival.com.
• Ticketing: Winter Woods tickets via www.obanwinterfestival.com or Eventbrite (links TBD September 2025). Other events may be free or ticketed on-site. obanwinterfestival.com.

Ticket Information

• How to Book: Winter Woods tickets online via www.obanwinterfestival.com or Eventbrite (TBD September 2025). Other events (e.g., ceilidhs, Santa’s Grotto) may be ticketed on-site or free. Booking fee ~£1–£2 ≈ $1.35–$2.70 USD (speculative). Children under 2 free for Winter Woods (must be held/carried). No refunds unless cancelled; contact info@obanwinterfestival.com. Cash/card for on-site purchases. obanwinterfestival.com.
• 2025 Pricing (USD, 1 GBP ≈ 1.35 USD):
  • Winter Woods (14–16, 21–23 Nov):
    • Adult (over 2): £8.50 ≈ $11.47 USD.
    • Child (2–15): £4 ≈ $5.40 USD.
    • Under 2: Free (with guardian).
  • Other Events (Speculative):
    • Ceilidhs: ~£5–£15 ≈ $6.75–$20.25 USD.
    • Santa’s Grotto: ~£5–£10 ≈ $6.75–$13.50 USD per child.
  • Programme: ~£3–£5 ≈ $4–$6.75 USD (speculative, on-site, cash).
  • Donations: Optional, $2.50–$12.50 USD for local charities.
• Ticket Range:
  • GBP: Free (e.g., fireworks) to ~£15 (ceilidhs, speculative).
  • USD: ~$0 to ~$20.25 USD.
• Additional Notes: Winter Woods prices per the provided document and obanwinterfestival.com. Other prices speculative, based on 2024 events (web:3). Exchange rate (1 GBP ≈ 1.35 USD) aligns with provided rate (1.3491, Reuters). Full pricing TBD September 2025 at www.obanwinterfestival.com. obanwinterfestival.com.

Cultural Experience

The Oban Winter Festival celebrates Scottish coastal culture with festive lights, traditional ceilidhs, and local crafts in Oban, known as the “Seafood Capital of Scotland.” The Winter Woods trail and Christmas markets highlight Argyll’s community spirit, drawing families and visitors to this charming port town. The festival supports local artisans and charities, with 5,000+ attendees. obanwinterfestival.com. VisitScotland.

Food & Drinks

• Event Venues: Stalls at Station Square, Rockfield Centre offer mince pies, toffee apples, hot dogs ($3–$10 USD), mulled wine, and hot chocolate (~$3–$6 USD). Cash preferred; some card payments.
• Nearby Dining:
  • The Oban Inn (1 Stafford Street, PA34 5NJ, seafood, $10–$25 USD, 3-minute walk).
  • Cuan Mor (60 George Street, PA34 5SD, Scottish, $10–$20 USD, 5-minute walk).
  • Piazza (North Pier, PA34 5QD, pizza, $8–$15 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Alcohol Policy: Mulled wine, beer at stalls (~$3–$6 USD, age 19+). Nearby pubs (e.g., The Oban Inn, $5–$8 USD). obanwinterfestival.com.

Family & Accessibility

• Family-Friendly:
  • Winter Woods: Free for under 2 (with guardian); £4 ≈ $5.40 USD for ages 2–15. Santa’s Grotto and fireworks are ideal for kids. Supervision required for under-16s.
• Accessibility:
  • Corran Halls, Station Square: good accessibility (ramps, toilets). Dunollie Castle: limited due to uneven paths. Contact info@obanwinterfestival.com for details. Assistance animals welcome. obanwinterfestival.com.

Getting There

• By Air: Glasgow Airport (GLA, 90 miles, 2-hour drive to Oban).
• Public Transport:
  • Train: Oban Station (from Glasgow Queen Street, $20–$40 USD, 3 hours). Check www.scotrail.co.uk.
  • Bus: Scottish Citylink 975/976 ($10–$20 USD from Glasgow, 5-minute walk to Station Square).
• By Car: Free parking at Station Square (PA34 5RT, limited); Longsdale Car Park ($3–$5 USD/day, 5-minute walk). Car-sharing advised.
• By Bike/Foot: 5-minute walk from Oban Station to Station Square; bike racks are limited.
• By Taxi: Oban Taxis (+44 1631 564666, $20–$40 USD from GLA).
• Rideshare: Uber ($30–$50 USD, limited). obanwinterfestival.com. scotrail.co.uk.

Program Details

• September 2025: Full schedule announced at www.obanwinterfestival.com.
• 14–16, 21–23 November: Winter Woods light trail, 5:00 PM–9:00 PM.
• 14 November: Fireworks and lights switch-on, 6:00 PM–8:00 PM (speculative).
• Weekends (15–16, 22–23 Nov): Christmas Market, 10:00 AM–5:00 PM.
• Note: Schedule speculative, based on 2024 (web:3). Full details TBD September 2025. obanwinterfestival.com.

Past Notable Performances

• 2024: Winter Woods drew 3,000 visitors; fireworks with Oban Pipe Band.
• 2023: Christmas market raised £2,500 for local charities. obanwinterfestival.com.

Educational Impact

• Winter Woods Storytelling: Tales of Argyll folklore (~$5 USD, speculative, included with ticket).
• Craft Workshops: Local artisan sessions at Rockfield Centre (~$5–$10 USD, speculative).
• Programme: ~$4–$6.75 USD, includes schedule and Oban history. obanwinterfestival.com.

Cultural Activities

• Winter Woods: Illuminated trail with music, storytelling (14–16, 21–23 Nov, $5.40–$11.47 USD).
• Christmas Market: Local crafts, food stalls (weekends, free entry).
• Ceilidhs: Traditional Scottish dancing (TBD, ~$6.75–$20.25 USD). obanwinterfestival.com.

Travel Tips

• Book Early: Winter Woods tickets sell out; book via www.obanwinterfestival.com. Accommodation is limited (check www.visitscotland.com).
• Weather Prep: November–December (35–45°F, rainy); bring waterproof gear, warm clothing.
• Explore Locally: Oban Distillery ($15 USD, 5-minute walk), McCaig’s Tower (free, 10-minute walk).
• Public Transport: Citylink smartcard ($5 USD); bus tickets ($10–$20 USD).
• Festival Info: Digital schedules at www.obanwinterfestival.com. obanwinterfestival.com. visitscotland.com.

Local Attractions

• McCaig’s Tower: Scenic viewpoint (free, 10-minute walk).
• Oban Distillery: Whisky tours ($15 USD, 5-minute walk).
• Dunollie Castle: Historic site ($8 USD, 15-minute walk). visitscotland.com.

Accommodation Options

• Hotels: Perle Oban Hotel ($100–$200 USD/night, 5-minute walk from Station Square).
• B&Bs: Glenbervie Guest House ($60–$120 USD/night, 10-minute walk).
• Airbnb: Oban flats ($50–$100 USD/night).
• Booking Tip: Reserve 6–12 months ahead via www.visitscotland.com. visitscotland.com.

Safety & Health Measures

• Medical Support: First aid at major venues; Oban Hospital (2 miles, 5-minute drive).
• Security: Stewards at events; no personal fireworks. Contact info@obanwinterfestival.com for concerns.
• Health Protocols: Sanitizer stations; masks optional. Details TBD at www.obanwinterfestival.com. obanwinterfestival.com.