Published on 17 October 2025 | Last updated on 9 October 2026

The Best Christmas Dinner in Ayrshire - Festive Dining at The Kirkmichael Arms

We don't do Christmas by halves at The Kirkmichael Arms, and 2026 is no different. Come and visit our restaurant in the heart of Ayrshire over the festive period and discover the very best Christmas menus that Scotland has to offer.

Whether it's an ale by the fireplace, a hearty Christmas dinner, or even Michelin-quality food in the comfort of your own home, we have it all going on for Christmas 2026.

This year, we're pulling out all the stops. You’ll be pleased to hear that our Christmas Boxes are back, ready for collection just before the big day. The calendar's packed with a Christmas quiz, our Secret Santa extravaganza and a carol night by the fire, to name just a few highlights. December's shaping up to be a special one. We can’t wait.

Let's run you through everything we've got planned this festive season at Ayrshire's favourite Christmas restaurant. In this article:

Our Christmas Day Boxes
Our Christmas 2026 Lineup
Christmas Lunch & Festive Dining in Ayrshire 2026
Festive Events & Pub Parties 2026
Celebrate Christmas 2026 with Us

Our Christmas Day Boxes

Our Christmas Boxes have become something of a local legend, allowing you to bring Michelin-quality dining to your own home on Christmas Day. We prepare your entire Christmas feast - starters, mains and desserts - ready for collection on Wednesday 23rd December, with easy instructions to cook at home on Christmas Day. You can enjoy the best Christmas Day dining Ayrshire has to offer without having to leave the house. Sound good? Here's what you'll be tucking into:

Starters

Thai Spiced Butternut Squash Velouté

Chicken Liver Pâté, Chutney & Oat Cakes

Mains

Turkey Supreme "Saltimbocca" Wrapped in Serrano Ham & Sage

Classic Pigs in Blankets Wrapped in Applewood Smoked Bacon

Free-Range Pork & Onion Stuffing

Beef Dripping Roast Koffmanns Potatoes with Rosemary & Blackthorn Sea Salt

Thyme & Confit Garlic Roasted Root Vegetables

Brussels Sprouts with Chestnuts & Truffle Honey

Calvados Scented Turkey Gravy

Desserts

Sticky Date & Caramelised Fig Pudding with Ninefolds Rum Butterscotch Sauce

Classic Christmas Pudding with Brandy Custard

Pricing & How to Order

The best Christmas Day dinner in Ayrshire is yours for £205 (feeds 4) or £310 (feeds 6). We might be the only restaurant in Scotland offering Michelin-quality food for you to enjoy in the comfort of your own home on Christmas Day.

We've got extras if you want to push the boat out. Our beech-smoked Scottish salmon (£10 per 100g) is a beautiful accompaniment to the starters, and our bottled cocktails - including the Ginger Margarita, Bloody Spicy Mary and My Thai (500ml, £35-40) - mean you don't even have to play bartender. Sparkling, red and white wines are also available on request.

Don't leave it too late - these sell out fast. Email enquiries@thekirkmichaelarms.co.uk to secure yours (payment on ordering, collection Wednesday 23rd December, enjoy on Christmas Day).

Our Christmas 2026 Lineup

Christmas Day is always the main event, and our Boxes take care of that. But there is so much more going on at The Kirkmichael Arms over the Christmas period. Here's what's on. Keep reading for the full details on each.

Friday 11th December - Secret Santa name share
Friday 18th December - Christmas Quiz Night, Secret Santa & Pub Christmas Party
Saturday 19th December - Carol Night at the Arms
Sunday 20th December - The Kirkmichael Arms Unofficial Christmas Lunch
Wednesday 23rd December - Christmas Box collection day
Thursday 24th December - Christmas Eve dining (à la carte)
Friday 25th December - Christmas Day at home with our Christmas Boxes (restaurant closed)
Saturday 26th December - Boxing Day dinner
Sunday 27th December - Open as normal
Thursday 31st December - New Year's Eve (£125 per person)

Still not enough for you? Don’t worry, we’ll be open from 1:00 pm every Sunday in December for Ayrshire’s favourite carvery. Opening times between Christmas and New Year will be confirmed soon, so keep an eye on our socials.

Christmas Lunch & Festive Dining in Ayrshire 2026

The Kirkmichael Arms is the best place to be in Ayrshire throughout December. It’s all about Christmas for us. The menu changes daily, built around whatever we've sourced, prepared and created that morning. That doesn't stop for Christmas. But you will see the festive influences and plenty of seasonal dishes on the menu throughout December.

Sunday Carvery Through December

Cold December Sundays were made for a roast by the fire. Is there anything more quintessentially Christmas than a Sunday carvery? We have something to suit everyone at the table, with a few of our mainstays below:

Aged Sirloin of Scotch Beef
Lemon & Thyme Corn Fed Chicken
Honey & Maple Glazed Bacon Loin
Charred Rosemary & Garlic Lamb Neck Fillet
Tranche of Turbot on the Bone
Lochryan Venison Haunch
Mixed Carvery Plate (Beef, Bacon & Chicken)

Every roast comes with the full spread of trimmings, from beef dripping roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings to truffle cheddar mac & cheese and creamed cavolo nero with bacon bits. Top it off with one of our house-made sauces and you're onto a winner, whether that's our classic red wine gravy or the creamy green peppercorn.

Mark your diary. We're open from 1:00 pm every Sunday in December:

Sunday 6th December
Sunday 13th December
Sunday 20th December - The Kirkmichael Arms Unofficial Christmas Lunch
Sunday 27th December

For the full menu and prices, have a read of our guide to the best Sunday carvery in Ayrshire.

The Kirkmichael Arms Unofficial Christmas Lunch

The big one. The one you’ve all been waiting for. The date is set for Sunday 20th December. Our Unofficial Christmas Lunch is a proper Christmas roast on the Sunday before the big day, and the perfect excuse for a pre-Christmas get-together with your mates, work friends or whoever else you fancy.

The Night Before Christmas… Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve (Thursday 24th December) is a big night at The Kirkmichael Arms. This year we're keeping it à la carte, with no set Christmas menus, so you can order whatever takes your fancy from the board.

Boxing Day

We're open for dinner on Boxing Day (Saturday 26th December). The spirit will be strong, and the ale will be flowing for a proper feel-good night of good company and good food. We’ll be back open as normal on Sunday 27th December. Ready to book? Head to our booking page or email enquiries@thekirkmichaelarms.co.uk.

Festive Events & Pub Parties 2026

The Kirkmichael Arms comes alive in December with more than just incredible food. We're decking the halls properly. Think cosy fires, festive decor and a calendar packed with fun.

But Christmas isn't just about the setting or the food for us. It's about bringing the community together. That's why we're hosting several events over the festive period, which you can learn more about below.

Christmas Quiz Night & Secret Santa

Friday 18th December is the big one. Our Christmas Quiz Night and Pub Christmas Party, all rolled into one. Expect a festive quiz, a proper party atmosphere and the return of our Secret Santa.

This year it's the Matt Davey Secret Santa Extravaganza, and it's not your usual swap. Everyone who enters puts their name in the bucket and their gift on the table. Matt then draws names raffle-style. The first name out picks a gift and opens it, and from there it's stick or twist. There is one of a kind, then there is this. Make sure you are free for the big night.

Want in? Share your name with us on Friday 11th December, or drop your name and gift in any time before the 18th. We look forward to seeing you there!

Carol Night at the Arms

Saturday 19th December is Carol Night at the Arms. It's a Christmas music night by the fire, with loaded hot chocolate, mulled wine and mince pies to keep you warm. We’ve coined it Carols By Kirkmichael Light, so come along and get involved with the festive singalong.

Private Christmas Parties

Planning something bigger? We're taking bookings for Christmas parties throughout December. For larger gatherings, we can sort you out with a dedicated space, festive menus, and all the Christmas atmosphere you could want. We even offer pub buyouts for large private functions. Email us to discuss your requirements or visit our booking page for more information.

Celebrate Christmas 2026 with Us

Whether you're after our Christmas Day Boxes, a Sunday carvery, a Christmas quiz or a Secret Santa like no other, don't leave it too late. December fills up fast, and we'd hate for you to miss out on the best Christmas dining in Ayrshire.