:

  • English
  • Español
  • Italiano
  • Deutsch
  • Nederlands
  • Français
Navigation generated at 2026-2-3 18:21:27
    • All Places to go

      Cities

      • All Cities
      • Aberdeen
      • Dundee
      • Dunfermline
      • Edinburgh
      • Glasgow
      • Inverness
      • Perth
      • Stirling

      Popular Places

      • Ben Nevis
      • Glencoe
      • Loch Lomond
      • Loch Ness

      Towns

      • All Towns
      • Aviemore
      • Dumfries
      • Fort William
      • Kirkwall
      • Lerwick
      • Oban
      • Peebles
      • Pitlochry
      • St Andrews

      Islands

      • All Islands
      • Isle of Arran
      • Isle of Islay
      • Jura
      • Lewis & Harris
      • Mull
      • Orkney
      • Outer Hebrides
      • Shetland
      • Skye

      Regions

      • Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire
      • Argyll & The Isles
      • Ayrshire & Arran
      • Dumfries & Galloway
      • Dundee & Angus
      • Edinburgh & The Lothians
      • Fife
      • Glasgow & Clyde Valley
      • Loch Lomond, Trossachs, Stirling & Forth Valley
      • Highlands
      • Perthshire
      • Scottish Borders
    • All Things to do

      Attractions

      • All Attractions
      • 20 Top Attractions
      • Ancestry
      • Arts & Culture
      • Castles
      • Free Attractions
      • History & Heritage
      • Museums & Galleries
      • Rainy Days
      • TV & Film Locations

      Outdoor Activities

      • All Outdoor Activities
      • Cycling
      • Fishing
      • Golf
      • Horse Riding
      • Mountain Biking
      • Sailing
      • Ski & Snowsports
      • Walking & Hiking
      • Watersports

      Food & Drink

      • All Food & Drink
      • Beer & Breweries
      • Gin Tours & Tastings
      • Whisky & Distilleries

      Landscapes & Nature

      • All Landscapes & Nature
      • Beaches
      • Ben Nevis
      • Lochs
      • National Parks
      • Northern Lights
      • Standing Stones
      • Wildlife Watching

      Tours, Routes & Trails

      • All Tours, Routes & Trails
      • Islands & Island Hopping
      • Itineraries
      • Scotland's UNESCO Trail
      • Tours
      • Walking Trails

      Events

      • All Events
      • Edinburgh's Summer Festivals
      • Highland Games
      • Music Festivals
    • All Accommodation

      Hotels & Lodgings

      • B&Bs & Guesthouses
      • Budget Hotels
      • Hostels
      • Hotels
      • Luxury Hotels
      • Restaurants with Rooms & Inns

      Caravan & Camping

      • All Caravan & Camping
      • Campervan, Motorhome & Caravan Holidays
      • Glamping
      • Wild Camping

      Self Catering

      • All Self Catering
      • Cabins & Lodges
      • Cottages
      • Flats & Apartments
      • Hot Tubs
      • Large Groups

      Unique Places

      • All Unique Places
      • Boats, Barges & Boathouses
      • Brochs & Blackhouses
      • Castles
      • Churches

      Other Accommodation

      • Accessible Accommodation
      • Eco Accommodation
      • Exclusive Use Venues
      • Luxury Accommodation
      • Pet Friendly Accommodation
      • Romantic
      • Wedding Venues
    • All Travel & planning

      Travel to Scotland

      • From England & Wales
      • From Europe
      • From Ireland
      • From North America
      • From Other Continents

      Travel in Scotland

      • Air
      • Bus & Coach
      • Ferry
      • Train

      Driving in Scotland

      • All Driving in Scotland
      • Car Hire
      • Driving Routes
      • Electric Vehicles

      When to visit

      • All When to visit
      • Spring & Easter
      • Summer Breaks
      • Autumn Breaks
      • Winter, Christmas & New Year

      Practical Information

      • Eco-Travel
      • FAQs
      • Holiday Carbon Calculator
      • Passes & Offers
      • Passports & Visas
      • Weather

      Ideas & Advice

      • Outdoor Safety Information
      • Travel Blog
      • Travel Newsletter

      Holiday Types

      • Accessible Holidays
      • Beauty Spots
      • Budget-Friendly Holidays
      • Countryside Breaks
      • Family Holidays
      • Farm Stays
      • Off the Beaten Track Holidays
      • Solo Travel
      • Weekend Breaks
      • Wellness Retreats
  • Map of Scotland

BETA: This map is a new planning feature in active development. VisitScotland is not responsible for the content or accuracy of external links and accepts no liability for any reliance on the map.

Your feedback will help improve it.

The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2022

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

  1. Home
  2. Things to do
  3. Events

Events & festivals in Scotland

Events in Scotland have the power to amaze and inspire you. Our atmospheric crowds, iconic venues and picture-perfect landscapes play host to everything from concerts to sporting tournaments. Choose from small cultural events throughout the year to one of our big annual festivals.

Unmissable events in Scotland

These world-leading events promise authentic experiences and seriously good times.

What's on this year – an annual Scottish events calendar

Get the most out of Scotland each season, from natural highlights and awesome activities to resolutely Scottish traditions and kick-ass events.

10 Magical sound and light shows in Scotland

Explore events across Scotland that celebrate sound, light and more during the darker autumnal and winter months.

Halloween in Scotland

Discover the curious happenings taking place across Scotland this Halloween season and connect with the Celtic roots of this spooky tradition.

St Andrew's Day

Mark St Andrew’s Day in style with timeless Scottish traditions, laughter and lively ceilidhs, including The Big Hoolie in St Andrews itself.

Winter festivals

Experience Scotland at the most wonderful time of the year at dazzling, heart-warming winter festivals held across the country.

Scotland’s rich cultural festivals and traditions

Celtic Connections Opening Night: Celebrating Glasgow 850

Discover cultural events

Discover authentic events and festivals celebrating culture and traditions in Scotland. From folk music gatherings and world-renowned whisky festivals to Celtic Connections, Burns Night, and the fiery spectacle of Up Helly Aa, there is always something stirring the soul and igniting the spirit that brings people together across the seasons.

  • Authentic Scottish events, culture & traditions

Scotland's calendar of events

As the seasons unfold, discover a calendar filled with natural splendour, outdoor adventures, Highland games, fantastic music, whisky, arts festivals and more. Are you ready for it? Get your tickets now!

A Hogmanay performer

Winter 

Be dazzled by the magic of Scottish festivals this winter as we gear up for Hogmanay, and another New Year.

  • Winterlight
  • Granite Noir
  • Castle of Light
  • The Big Hoolie
  • St Andrew's Day
  • Big Burns Supper
  • Celtic Connections
  • Oban Winter Festival
  • Glasgow Film Festival
  • Edinburgh's Hogmanay
  • Fort William Mountain Festival
  • WinterStorm Rock Weekender

Scottish Gas Murrayfield Stadium, home to Scottish rugby.

Spring 

Kickstart your spring in style! Look out for family events at Easter, whisky and music festivals, too.

  • The Gralloch
  • Jim Clark Rally
  • Borders Art Fair
  • Six Nations Rugby
  • Orkney Folk Festival
  • Beltane Fire Festival
  • Perth Festival of Arts
  • Culture Night Stirling
  • Shetland Folk Festival
  • Merchant City Festival
  • Glasgow Coffee Festival
  • Ballater Walking Festival
  • Edinburgh Tartan Parade
  • Fèis Ìle – The Islay Festival
  • Spring Fling Open Studios
  • Edinburgh Science Festival
  • Edinburgh Science Festival
  • Scottish Wild Food Festival
  • Arran Rock & Blues Festival
  • Scotland's Daffodil Festival
  • Edinburgh Seafood Festival
  • Paisley Food & Drink Festival
  • Girvan Traditional Folk Festival
  • Spirit of Speyside Whisky Festival
  • Edinburgh International Children's Festival
  • The Glasgow International Comedy Festival

Highland Dancer; The Ballater Highland Games

© VisitScotland / David N Anderson

Summer 

We're bringing the heat with our sizzling lineup of summer events and concerts in Scotland.

  • HebCelt
  • Speyfest
  • Piping Live!
  • Smokie Fest
  • Leith Festival
  • Glasgow Mela
  • Fringe by the Sea
  • East Neuk Festival
  • St Magnus Festival
  • Tiree Music Festival
  • Borders Book Festival
  • Galloway Country Fair
  • Genesis Scottish Open
  • Edinburgh Art Festival
  • Monument Mile Classic
  • Pittenweem Arts Festival
  • ISPS HANDA Senior Open
  • The Edinburgh Fringe festival
  • Dornoch Music & Beer Festival
  • Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival
  • Edinburgh International Festival
  • Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
  • World Pipe Band Championships
  • The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
  • Edinburgh International Film Festival
  • Edinburgh International Book Festival

The summer sees the most packed months for events in Scotland – particularly around music, Highland games and regional events such as on the islands, or the Common Ridings in the Scottish Borders.

  • Scottish music festivals
  • Common Ridings

Paisley Halloween Parade and flying witches

© Renfrewshire Council / Kieran Chambers

Autumn 

The fun doesn't stop when the darker nights arrive. Scotland's festivals run all year round with some spectacular autumn events.

  • Vogrie Pogrie
  • Doors Open Days
  • Halloween events
  • Clans @ the Croft
  • Tiree Wave Classic
  • Royal National Mòd
  • Tour O The Borders
  • Largs Viking Festival
  • Dunbar Music Festival
  • The Enchanted Forest
  • McRae Rally Challenge
  • Wigtown Book Festival
  • Stranraer Oyster Festival
  • Orkney Storytelling Festival
  • Salomon Skyline Scotland ®
  • Nairn Book and Arts Festival
  • Orkney International Science Festival
  • World Stone Skimming Championships
  • Scottish International Storytelling Festival

Mark your calendar for the 2026 Commonwealth Games

The 2026 Commonwealth Games

© Glasgow 2026

23 July – 2 August 2026

Uniting over 3,000 athletes from 74 nations competing in 10 sports, the 2026 Commonwealth Games will bring 11 unmissable days of world-class action to the heart of Glasgow – be part of the excitement!

Register now for ticket updates and be part of the action.

  • The 2026 Commonwealth Games

Find what inspires you

Glasgow Barrowland Ballroom

Toe-tapping music

Sample the sounds of Scotland at a unique music event with everything from folk to rock, in huge stadiums or on a quiet island in the summer sun.

  • Royal National Mòd 2026
Find out more
The Edinburgh International Book Festival

The Edinburgh International Book Festival

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Captivating book festivals

Enjoy new and old stories at one of our many book festivals and events.

Find out more about Scottish writers & literature
Topping and Company Bookshop

Topping and Company Bookshop

© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale

Spoken word poetry events

Whether you're a seasoned performer or a complete beginner, let your creativity flow at an open-mic event through the art of poetry.

  • Speakin' Weird, Aberdeen
  • Brave New Words, Dumfries
  • Fife Writes, Fife
  • Typewronger Open Mic, Edinburgh

Immersive spectator sports

Rugby in Scotland

Nothing beats the atmosphere of a fast-paced rugby game! Find out where you can see the sport in action.

Scottish Motor Racing Club

Find out more about motor racing in Scotland and how to get involved.

Horse Racing

Find race course and racing events in Scotland.

Curling

Find out more about the sport of curling and how you can get involved.

Shinty

Learn more about shinty, a sport which is at the heart of many communities across the Highlands.

Want to know more about thrilling events in Scotland?

Whether you're looking for accessible events, family-friendly fun, or cultural deep dives, Scotland’s calendar is packed with unforgettable experiences.

9 Iconic events & the history behind them

Learn about the unusual stories behind iconic Scottish events. Including Burns Night, the Six Nations, Largs Viking Festival, and more!

Accessible theatre events

Search for accessible theatre events in Scotland.

Submit an event

Find all the information you need on how to submit an event to display on VisitScotland's event pages online.

The Kelpies in Helix Park

© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

Award winners

The Scottish Thistle Awards recognise and champion the very best of Scottish tourism, hospitality and events.

These visitor experiences and events industries were praised for delivering world-class events and providing unforgettable, quality and authentic experiences to their visitors in a positive and environmentally friendly way. They also continue to work alongside many local communities and businesses.

  • Edinburgh's Hogmanay
  • Eilean Dorcha Festival
  • Glasgow Film Festival
Find out more about our Scottish Thistle Award winners

Share on

Facebook
Pinterest
WhatsApp
Twitter
Email

Other things you might like

Category: Things to do

LGBTQ+ & Pride Events in Scotland

Category: Things to do

Film festivals

Category: Things to do

Events in Edinburgh

Category: Things to do

Scottish whisky

Category: Things to do

Historic attractions in Scotland

Category: Places to go

St Andrews

Category: Things to do

What's on in Glasgow - events & festivals

Join our Newsletter Clan

Get Scotland inspiration direct to your inbox. Don't miss the inside track from our Scotland experts on exciting trip ideas, unique attractions and hidden gems loved by locals.

Get the Scotland newsletter

Get in touch

  • Contact us
  • Feedback & Complaints
  • Submit an event

Our other sites

  • Business Events
  • Business Support Hub
  • Travel Trade
  • Asset library
  • Corporate
  • Scotland is Now

Find us on

Find us on

  • About us
  • Accessibility
  • Acceptable use
  • Cookies
  • Environmental policy
  • Privacy
  • Social media
  • Terms of use
Brand Scotland

© 2026 VisitScotland. All rights reserved.