Fairmont St Andrews unveils a season of festive magic

As the festive season approaches, few places capture the magic of Christmas and New Year quite like Fairmont St Andrews.

Perched on the dramatic coastline overlooking St Andrews Bay, the luxury resort has unveiled an extensive programme of festive experiences designed to bring together families, friends, colleagues and visitors for a season filled with celebration, relaxation and unforgettable memories.

From indulgent afternoon teas and creative wreath-making workshops to family visits with Santa, glamorous party nights, festive stays and spectacular New Year celebrations, Fairmont St Andrews is inviting guests to embrace the very best of the season in a setting that combines Scottish hospitality with festive charm.

Creating festive traditions together

The festive season is often defined by the moments spent with loved ones, and Fairmont St Andrews has carefully crafted a collection of experiences that encourage guests to slow down, reconnect and celebrate together.

A new addition to the festive programme is the Festive Wreath Making and Afternoon Tea Experience, offering guests the opportunity to create their own handcrafted seasonal wreath before settling in for a traditional afternoon tea. Combining creativity with indulgence, the experience is perfect for friends, families, and anyone looking to embrace the festive spirit.

Set against the backdrop of the resort's beautifully decorated interiors, guests can enjoy an afternoon of festive crafting before savouring a selection of seasonal sandwiches, pastries and sweet treats, all thoughtfully prepared by Fairmont St Andrews' culinary team.

Available on selected dates throughout the season, the experience offers a wonderful opportunity to gather loved ones, learn a new skill and create a personalised festive decoration to take home.

Festive Wreath Making & Afternoon Tea dates:

· Sunday 29 November

· Friday 11 December

· Saturday 12 December

· Sunday 13 December

Spaces are limited, and advance booking is recommended. Guests can secure their place here.

For those seeking a more traditional celebration, Fairmont's Festive Afternoon Tea returns throughout December on Thursdays and Fridays. Guests can enjoy a selection of seasonal sandwiches, freshly baked scones and festive pastries in the elegant surroundings of the resort, with prices from £45 per adult and £25 per child under 12.

For an extra touch of festive magic, Afternoon Tea with Santa takes place on Saturdays and Sundays throughout December. Alongside the traditional afternoon tea experience, families will have the opportunity to meet Santa, share their Christmas wishes, and capture a treasured keepsake photograph, creating memories to cherish long after the festive season has passed. Afternoon Tea with Santa is priced at £70 per adult and £35 per child under 12.

Book Festive Afternoon Tea or Afternoon Tea with Santa here.

Raise a glass for festive brunch with Santa

Taking place in The Squire Restaurant, this special festive gathering combines a delicious seasonal brunch, live musical entertainment and, most importantly, an opportunity for children to meet Santa himself. As one of the resort's most popular festive experiences, the event offers families the chance to enjoy quality time together while creating magical memories in the lead-up to Christmas.

Throughout the afternoon, families will be invited to see Santa, where children can share their Christmas wishes and experience the excitement and wonder of meeting the man in red. Guests will also have the opportunity to capture a treasured keepsake photograph with Santa beside the beautifully decorated Christmas tree, creating a lasting memory to cherish long after the festive season has passed.

Alongside the magical Santa experience, guests can enjoy a festive bottomless brunch featuring seasonal favourites, festive cocktails, Prosecco, house wine and bottled beer, complemented by live musical entertainment throughout the afternoon.

With prices from £115 for the Festive Bottomless Brunch, £85 for the Virgin Brunch and £40 for children under 12, the event offers a memorable festive experience for all ages. Families will have the opportunity to meet Santa, capture a treasured keepsake photograph beside the Christmas tree and enjoy an afternoon filled with festive food, entertainment and seasonal magic. Early booking is recommended, with the event expected to be one of Fairmont St Andrews' most popular family celebrations of the season. Reserve your table.

Celebrating with colleagues and friends

For businesses, organisations and groups of friends looking to celebrate in style, Fairmont St Andrews' Festive Party Nights combine great food, entertainment and hassle-free travel for a memorable Christmas celebration. Guests can enjoy a three-course festive dinner before dancing the night away.

Party Nights take place on 4, 13 and 18 December 2026, with tickets priced at £75 per person, including dinner, entertainment and return transport. Overnight stays are also available from £199 per room, including breakfast.

Groups can take advantage of exclusive festive offers, with one free place when booking a table of 10, plus a complimentary bottle of Champagne Piaff. Larger groups booking two or more tables of 10 can also access exclusive accommodation discounts. For those seeking a more tailored celebration, private party bookings are available.

Early booking is recommended. To reserve your place or discuss a bespoke event, contact SAB.Events@Fairmont.com.

The ultimate family festive escape

For families looking to make this Christmas truly unforgettable, Fairmont St Andrews' Santa's Grotto Stay Package offers an enchanting festive escape filled with magical moments from arrival to departure.

Designed to capture the wonder of Christmas, the experience combines a luxury overnight stay with an exclusive visit to Santa's Grotto, creating a celebration that goes far beyond a traditional family break. From the moment guests arrive, they are immersed in the magic of the season, with twinkling lights, beautifully decorated Christmas trees, and festive touches throughout the resort creating a warm and joyful atmosphere.

The highlight of the stay is a private visit to Santa's cosy grotto, where little ones can share their Christmas wishes, enjoy a special one-to-one moment with Santa, and experience the excitement and anticipation that makes Christmas so memorable. Families will also receive a keepsake photograph, providing a treasured reminder of a magical day together.

Back in the comfort of the resort, guests can continue the festive experience with seasonal dining, family time around the hotel, and access to Fairmont's extensive leisure facilities. After a restful night's sleep in luxury accommodation, families can wake to a hearty Scottish breakfast before continuing their festive adventures.

Available on weekends throughout December and priced from £365 per night, the Santa's Grotto Stay Package offers more than an overnight stay; it is an opportunity to create lasting family traditions, and those precious moments children will remember long after Christmas has passed. Set against the stunning backdrop of Scotland's east coast, it provides the perfect setting to slow down, spend quality time together and embrace the magic of the season. Space is filling fast enquire here to book your stay.

Spend Christmas by the coast

For those looking to swap the stress of hosting for the joy of simply being together, Fairmont St Andrews’ Christmas Eve & Christmas Day Package offers a magical two-night festive escape on the coast.

Guests are welcomed on Christmas Eve with festive treats, seasonal refreshments and carols from the St Andrews Musical Society Choir, before enjoying Christmas Day with loved ones. Highlights include breakfast with Santa and Mrs Claus and a traditional Christmas Day lunch served beneath the resort's spectacular Zephyr light installation.

Alongside luxury accommodation, guests can enjoy the resort's leisure facilities, coastal surroundings and relaxed festive atmosphere, leaving every detail in the hands of Fairmont's expert team.

Available 24-26 December 2026, the package is priced from £1,130 for two adults sharing, including Christmas Day lunch. It offers a memorable way to celebrate the season together and create cherished family memories. Make your enquiry here.

The beauty of Twixmas

The days between Christmas and New Year offer the perfect opportunity to slow down and savour the season. With Twixmas stays at Fairmont St Andrews, guests can enjoy refreshing coastal walks, restorative spa experiences and exceptional dining, all set against the stunning backdrop of St Andrews Bay.

Whether it's quality time with family, a romantic winter retreat or simply a chance to relax and recharge before the New Year, Twixmas provides the perfect balance of relaxation and togetherness. Book your Twixmas stay and make the most of the festive season.

Ringing in 2027 in Style

As Christmas gives way to New Year celebrations, Fairmont St Andrews has planned an unforgettable way to welcome 2027, with a choice of dining experiences designed for couples, families and groups looking to celebrate in spectacular surroundings.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of St Andrews Bay, guests can toast the year gone by while enjoying exceptional dining, live entertainment and the resort's renowned hospitality. Whether seeking an elegant adults-only evening or a family celebration filled with great food and festive atmosphere, Fairmont St Andrews offers a memorable way to mark the occasion.

The centrepiece of the New Year’s Eve celebrations is the adults-only St Andrews Bay Clubhouse & Grill experience. Guests will enjoy arrival drinks and canapés before an indulgent five-course dinner paired with carefully selected wines and live entertainment throughout the evening. Priced at £195 per person, the experience concludes with a Champagne toast at midnight, offering a stylish and sophisticated way to welcome 2027 against the stunning backdrop of St Andrews Bay.

For families and guests looking to celebrate together, alternative dining experiences will be available across the resort. Guests can enjoy a family-friendly Italian feast in La Cucina, or choose the lively atmosphere of Squire Restaurant, where live food stations and a festive buffet create a relaxed and sociable way to celebrate. These family dining experiences are priced at £95 per adult and £45 for children aged 12 and under.

As midnight approaches, all eyes will turn to the skies above St Andrews Bay for one of the evening's most anticipated moments. A spectacular drone show will illuminate the coastline, providing a breathtaking visual display as guests count down the final moments of 2026. Combining innovation with festive magic, the display offers a memorable alternative to traditional fireworks and creates a truly unique start to the year ahead.

With exceptional dining, entertainment and unforgettable views, Fairmont St Andrews' New Year's Eve celebrations promise a magical evening of togetherness, reflection and celebration. Book your New Year stay and experience one of the region's most sought-after destinations for welcoming 2027 in style.

Start the year with a feast

After the excitement of New Year's Eve, guests can welcome 2027 in delicious style with Fairmont St Andrews' much-loved New Year's Day Brunch.

This indulgent experience is designed for those looking to ease into the year ahead while enjoying exceptional food, flowing drinks, and a lively atmosphere. Set to the backdrop of live entertainment, the afternoon offers the perfect opportunity to gather with family and friends, reflect on the celebrations of the night before and raise a glass to new beginnings.

Guests can indulge in an extensive selection of culinary delights, including the freshest seafood, artisan cheeses and charcuterie, seasonal salads, flavourful main courses and an impressive dessert buffet. Paired with a selection of drinks and live entertainment throughout the afternoon, it promises a relaxed yet celebratory start to the New Year.

Priced at £125 per person for the Bottomless Brunch, £85 for the Virgin Brunch and £50 for children aged 12 and under, the experience offers something for everyone, with children under five dining free when staying as hotel residents.

Reserve your table and combine outstanding food, vibrant entertainment and the opportunity to spend quality time with loved ones.

A season designed around togetherness