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 celebrations, Scottish cities know how to stand out from the crowd. Here's a flavour of what events to look forward to and what our twinkling cities have in store this festive season.
Edinburgh
Edinburgh's Christmas events usually takes place from November - January.
Previous years have featured festive favourites, including the Edinburgh Christmas Markets, Big Wheel, ice rink, the Christmas Tree Maze, toe-tapping concerts, merry carolling and much more for the whole family to enjoy.
Watch Edinburgh Castle transform into a winter spectacle with the Castle of Light. The event is a great way for the whole family to get into the Christmas spirit with enchanting installations, twinkling lights and colourful displays galore.
Book your tickets for the Castle of Light
Welcome in the New Year with Edinburgh's Hogmanay, jam-packed with celebrations, parties, live music, traditions and much more to get involved in.
Experience Edinburgh's Christmas
Take part in Edinburgh's Hogmanay
More things to do in Edinburgh this winter
Glasgow
The festive season kickstarts in Glasgow with the annual Christmas Lights Switch On at George Square in November.
Previous years have seen a month full of jam-packed fun before the countdown to Christmas starts including a day out at the Irn-Bru Carnival, Europe’s largest indoor fun fair.
Inverness Town Centre, illuminated with Christmas decorations
© VisitScotland / Paul Tomkins
Inverness
Inverness's warm and merry welcome is sure to bring some festive cheer. Whether you're hitting the town to experience the city's shopping options or planning a festive city break, there's lots to look forward to.
Enjoy the magical family-friendly pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk at Eden Court this Christmas. It will have everything you have come to expect from the Eden Court pantomime with a hilarious comic, an outrageous dame, a delightfully wicked baddie, marvellous musical numbers and tons of slapstick fun. Get your tickets now for what will be the most spellbinding pantomime in the Highlands this festive season!
Get your tickets for Jack and the Beanstalk
Dundee
It’s time to celebrate the festive season in Dundee. Enjoy lots of fun activities for the whole family to enjoy, from Christmas maker markets, ice skating, festive lights to meeting Santa himself.
Enjoy Dundee's Christmas Village spirit
Perth
The city of Perth is a place with lots of sparkle and will be ready to welcome you in 2024 with its charming markets and great family events! From Santa’s Grotto, festive farmer’s markets and it’s cracking panto for 2024, Mother Goose! You’re in for a right Christmas treat.
Aberdeen Christmas Village
© @aisleigh
Aberdeen
There's no stopping you from getting into the seasonal spirit in the city of Aberdeen. The popular Aberdeen Christmas Village always features an exciting line up of events and festivities.
Experience Aberdeen's Christmas Village
Stirling
Enjoy Stirling’s festivities with markets, Christmas theatre shows, family-friendly events, Santa’s Grotto and much more. Make sure you stay in the city to experience the Hogmanay celebrations, too! Or why not take your loved ones for Santa's Secret Railway experience at Blair Drummond Safari Park?
Discover Santa's Secret Railway experience
Dunfermline
Dunfermline will be hosting its own variety of events over the festive period with lots of events taking place that the little ones will love.
Take a look at events in Dunfermline
More events across Scotland
Head to Oban for a series of winter activities, films and light shows to celebrate the festive season at Oban Winter Festival. Or stop by the Isle of Bute for the Bute Yard Christmas Market.
The Outer Hebrides are magical in winter - don't forget to stop in at the Barra Distillery Christmas pop-up on the Isle of Barra.
For magical winter light trails, get inspired by our list of shows you can see across Scotland this winter: 8 Magical sound and light shows in Scotland.
For a foodie Christmas Market event check out Bowhouse Christmas Market, in the East Neuk of Fife. This area is also home to Balgove Larder who hold their annual night market in early December.
