Up Helly Aa, Shetland's Viking Fire Festival
© VisitScotland / Luigi Di Pasquale
Celtic Connections - 19 January - 5 February 2023 - the UK's premier celebration of Celtic music. Hear folk, roots and world music from more than 2,000 musicians in Glasgow.
Burns Night - 25 January every year - our annual celebration of Robert Burns' life. Tip: events sometimes take place before and after 25 January, so it's worth double checking the dates.
Up Helly Aa - January - March 2023 - Mesmerising Viking themed fire festivals taking in Shetland rural communities. The largest and best known is Up Helly Aa in Lerwick on 28 January, but there are a total of 12 festivals every winter, from the most northerly one Norwick Up Helly Aa on 29 February to the youngest one South Mainland Up Helly on 13 March. You won't forget the sight of 1,000 people carrying flaming torches in a hurry!
Fort William Mountain Festival - 17 - 19 February 2023 - hear stories of epic adventures and survival from world-class speakers, plus amazing films and much more.
StAnza: Scotland's Poetry Festival - 8 - 12 March 2023 - taking place in St Andrews, this poetry extravaganza boasts around 100 readings, performances and discussions, with past headliners including Jackie Kay, Robert Crawford and Kathleen Jamie.