Winter and Christmas breaks

December

What better way to end the year than to experience a touch of Scottish winter magic? Just picture streets lined with twinkling lights, hear the buzz of jolly gatherings in restaurants and pubs, and enjoy the winter markets full of festive delicacies, handmade goods, and plenty of sweet treats to tuck into. Festive breaks in December are perfect for enjoying a cosy retreat with your loved ones and friends, or for a last-minute getaway 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

It’s time to embark on your first adventure of the year, with January bringing fresh possibilities and inviting you to dust off your travel wishlist and start creating new memories. Across Scotland, January is alive with toe-tapping music events, cherished annual traditions, and celebrations to honour the legacy of Scotland’s National Bard, Robert Burns. 

For an unforgettable winter experience, book a trip to Shetland where the dramatic North Sea meets rich Norse heritage. Experience Scottish culture and history like never before at Up Helly Aa. Hear the crackle of the torchlit procession as Guiser Jarl’s Squad of Vikings marches through the town, donning intricate Viking regalia. As night draws in, marvel at flaming fire displays that light up the dark skies and will leave a lasting impression long after the flames dwindle. 

Keep reading to find more destinations to visit in January

February

Emerge from your winter hibernation in February to explore Scotland’s sparkling landscapes and rugged coastlines, and when the award-winning attractions begin to stir after their seasonal slumber.  Add the jaw-dropping Cairngorms National Park to your travel itinerary, and you won’t be disappointed with the vast landscapes that have been shaped by nature over centuries. If you’re lucky enough to experience fresh snowfall during your trip, take to the slopes and admire panoramic mountain vistas. If you’d like to keep your feet on the ground, wander a network of mesmerising, frost covered routes, trails and paths that weave in all directions across the area, letting 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

• 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 wide 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 plant life come into bloom during this festival that slowly welcomes in spring, as a variety of gardens spring back to life. 
• Clachaig Fest, Glencoe, 30 January – 27 February 2027 – get involved with good beer, hearty food, whisky tasting masterclasses, winter mountain safety lectures, pub quizzes and more and soak in the wilderness and community of Glencoe. 
• 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.