A couple browse the stalls at Edinburgh's Christmas markets
© VisitScotland / Peter Dibdin
If you’re looking for the best Christmas events and winter festival activities to enjoy in Scotland, look no further. When it comes to festive celebrations, Scottish cities know how to stand out from the crowd. Here is just a flavour of what events to look forward to and what the cities have in store.
EDINBURGH
The Edinburgh Winter Festivals usually take place from November - January.
Previous years have featured festive favourites, including the Edinburgh Christmas Markets, Forth 1 Big Wheel, Lidl on Ice, the Christmas Tree Maze, toe-tapping concerts, merry carolling and much more for the whole family to enjoy.
Edinburgh's Hogmanay will be back with a bang too, with celebrations, parties, live music, traditions and much more to get involved in.
Welcome in 2023 with Concert in the Gardens and headlining act, Pet Shop Boys, set to mix up a storm! Scotland's own Tide Lines will headline New Year's Final Fling to close the Hogmanay celebrations, and of course the world-renowned Hogmanay Street Party couldn't be left out the fun!
Tickets are on sale now!
GLASGOW
Glasgow's Christmas festivities will be back with all your favourites lined up! George Square will see the city's festivities throughout December, as well as the Christmas Lights Switch On in late-November. St Enoch Square will be hosting The Christmas Fair where kids can enjoy rides including The Blizzard and Santa's runaway train. George Square will also be taking part in all the festive fun with its own Christmas Fair which will feature various attractions including an ice rink and observation wheel.
Find more things to do in Glasgow this winter
DUNDEE
Explore the Dundee Christmas Market WinterFest
PERTH
Join in Perth's Christmas with events, markets and more.
Explore more festive events in Perth
INVERNESS
Get involved in the many gatherings and festivities this Christmas in Inverness, with events starting as early as 3 November.
Explore more festive events in Inverness
STIRLING
Enjoy Stirling's Christmas with markets, Christmas theatre shows, family-friendly events, Santa's Grotto and much more.
ABERDEEN
The popular Aberdeen Christmas Village features an exciting line up of events and festivities.
Explore more festive events in Aberdeen
DUNFERMLINE
Scotland's newest city will be hosting its own variety of events this Christmas season that you and the wee ones will love.
