The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2022
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam

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

Up Helly Aa Vikings during the Torchlight Procession, Edinburgh

For events, choose Scotland

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

What's on now

Winter festivals

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

Hogmanay & New Year breaks in Scotland

Find out about celebrating Hogmanay and new year breaks in Scotland. Including events, festivals, traditions, singing Auld Lang Syne and more!

Burns Night

What's Burns Night all about? Find out about Burns supper traditions, tasty recipes and celebrate the life of the Bard on 25 January!

Solas Festival: An annual cultural gathering at Errol Park

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!

Winter

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

See all winter events in Scotland

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.

See all spring events in Scotland

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.

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.

See all summer events in Scotland

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.

See all autumn events in Scotland

Find what inspires you

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.

A glowing tunnel filled with fairy lights at Christmas at the Botanics

Twinkling sound & light shows

Enjoy the great outdoors and see incredible and beautiful art through interactive installations and immersive technology. We’ve rounded up some of the best light shows around the country.

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

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.

See other sports events

Want to know more about thrilling events in Scotland?

Authentic Scottish events, culture & traditions

Experience authentic Scottish culture and traditions at events including Celtic music festivals, Highland games and whisky events.

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!

Submit an event

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

Common Ridings

This spectacular horse-riding festival held in the Scottish Borders is one of Britain's best-kept secrets.

Accessible theatre events

Search for accessible theatre events in Scotland.

Find experiences

Search a wide range of accommodation, events, food & drink options and things to do from indoor and outdoor attractions to activities, tours and more.

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