Winter and Christmas breaks

December

What better way to end the year than with a touch of winter magic? Festive breaks in December are crisp but warming, offering the perfect escape before the new year shenanigans start. Just picture twinkling lights, cosy retreats and jolly gatherings with family and friends – all great reasons to visit a new place before the end of the year.

Keep reading to find more places to explore and things to do in December

January

Now that the new year has settled in, it’s time to embark on your first trip of the year. January brings fresh possibilities and is a great time to start ticking items off your travel bucket list. You can expect to see toe-tapping music events, annual traditions come to life across the country, and, of course, celebrations of Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns.

This January head to Shetland, just off the north coast of Scotland, to immerse yourself in the age-old traditions at Up Helly Aa. Marvel at flaming fire displays, learn about the history behind Guiser Jarl’s squad of Vikings, and see the Burning of the Galley to end the night too.

Keep reading to find more destinations to visit in January

February

Step out of winter hibernation in February to explore Scotland’s dramatic landscapes, rugged coastlines and award-winning attractions as towns and cities reawaken after the winter months.

Add the Cairngorms National Park to your travel itinerary and you won’t be disappointed with the vast offerings to enjoy. If you’re lucky to catch snowfall during your trip, get out on the slopes to see the park from a different perspective. If you’d like to keep your feet on the ground, explore the routes, trails and paths that weave in all directions across the area that let you see the ancient Caledonian forests up close. Along the way, keep your eyes peeled for native wildlife and stop off at the many welcoming towns and villages across the park too.

Keep reading to find more destinations to visit in February

Explore the sights, sounds and marvels of Scotland this winter with a variety of passes, offers and experiences that will take you around the country without breaking the bank.

• ScotRail – take part in the Kids for a Quid offer where up to four children can travel for £1 when one full price adult or concession ticket is purchased.
• Scotland Gifts Local – if you're not quite sure what to gift your loved ones this Christmas, why not put a Scottish twist on it with a Scotland Gifts Local gift card? With over 8,000 businesses and shops to browse, they're bound to find something they'll love.

Check out more passes and offers

• Aberdeen Christmas Village, 12 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 – join in the season of joy, celebration, and festive spirit with family-friendly rides, an open-air ice rink, a range of food and drink from local favourites, alongside a Lights Parade, Santa Run, and a Nativity Scene.
• Oban Winter Festival, 13 November – 20 December 2026 – bringing festive cheer and celebration to the west coast of Scotland each year, delve into parades, workshops, ice rinks, comedy nights and more!
• 1872 Cup in Edinburgh, 27 December 2026 – head to Scottish Gas Murrayfield for one of Scottish rugby’s biggest rivalries as Edinburgh and Glasgow battle it out for the historic trophy in a thrilling clash of skill, passion and pride.
• Winterlight, at The Albert Halls, Stirling, 27 - 31 December 2026 - Shake off the post-Christmas slump with live music from artists including Mànran, Talisk, and Valtos, with more acts to be announced soon, and the much loved Big Ceilidh making a return too!
• Hogmanay, 31 December – welcome in the New Year with local celebrations, with live music, performances, fireworks, traditions and more, it's a great event to witness the warmth of Scotland.
• Bute Yard Christmas Market, December – head to the Isle of Bute to stock up on local produce and home-grown goods that are the perfect addition to your festive gatherings with family and friends.
• Celtic Connections, Glasgow, 14 – 31 January 2027 – a staple in the arts and culture calendar, this event sees Glasgow come to life with eclectic traditional music performances across a variety of venues.

• Burns Night, 25 January – celebrate the life and works of Scotland’s National Bard with poetry, recitals, traditional ‘haggis, neeps, and tatties’, and events across Scotland.
• Up Helly Aa, Shetland Islands, 26 January 2027 – take part in this iconic annual event, which originated in the 1880s and features parades, fire displays, community traditions and much more across Shetland.
• Snowdrop Festival, across Scotland, January – March 2027 – witness plantlife come into bloom during this festival that slowly welcomes in spring, as a variety of gardens come back to life.
• Fort William Mountain Festival, 11 – 14 February 2027 – celebrate Scotland’s mountain life and culture with a diverse programme of talks, workshops, films, and outdoor events.
• Clachaig Fest, Glencoe, February 2027 – get involved with good beer, hearty food, whisky tasting masterclasses, winter mountain safety lectures, pub quizzes and more to soak in the wilderness and community of Glencoe.