20 Epic Things To Do At Christmas In Scotland

Christmas in Scotland is one of the most magical periods of the year. There are many magical events in Scotland to get you into the festive spirit.

There are so many decorations and festive events to get you feeling festive just in time for Christmas.

December is a stunning month in Scotland with year topping highlights that you will not forget. In addition, there are many comforting cosy retreats that will brighten up your winter days. 

The festive season is a wonderful time with Christmas Markets, outdoor ice rinks, and the aroma of mulled wine. Also, you can enjoy a spectacular country walk with the winter frost crushing underneath your feet.

Or, you can enjoy a delicious hearty meal and hot toddy by the burning fire in a cosy pub. 

Throughout the country, there are many great Christmas events to appreciate, along with twinkling lights and shopping centres that will boost your Christmas spirit.

Also, there is unique entertainment, shopping experiences, Christmas craft fairs and festive cheer to warm up winter nights. If you do not want to miss a magical Christmas then you can visit the events listed below.

Edinburgh’s Winter Wonderland

Edinburgh is the ideal fairy tale city for a magical winter wonderland. The winter festivals in Christmas celebrations in Edinburgh are an enchanted burst of twinkling lights, magical sounds, along with lots of fun and laughter.

Also, there is no shortage of things to do in the winter in Edinburgh. You can enjoy the numerous fairground and carnival rides.

Also, visitors can enjoy panoramic views of the capital from the top of the big wheel, spin around on the waltzers or get ready for a bumpy ride on the dodgems.

Once you have finished exploring Princes Street Gardens you can grab your skates and head over to George Street between Charlotte Square and Castle Street.

The large ice rink has made its debut in 2022 and it is the perfect location to whiz around on the ice in the glittering city. 

Also, Edinburgh is the perfect place to go Christmas shopping and pick up any last-minute Christmas gifts. You will be able to treat yourself and your loved ones to designer goods in the new St James Quarter or in Multrees Walk.

Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets

Edinburgh’s Christmas markets are the main attraction at Christmas. There is a wide variety of stalls which sell traditional crafts, little festive trinkets and unique souvenirs at the heart of Princess Street Gardens. 

Also, you can enjoy a delicious variety of European food and drink, including some amazing hot chocolate.

The markets stretch out to various locations across the city including West Princes Street Garden and George Street between Castle Street and Charlotte Square.

Castle of Light: Magic and Mystery, Edinburgh

The animated lights at Edinburgh Castle make a return for the fourth year. At Edinburgh Castle, you can enjoy the magnificent art visuals and lighting installations.

Each landmark has a story to tell, watch them illuminate and come to life with stunning visuals in this night-time spectacle. 

You must book your tickets online in advance. Tickets for adults are £22. Tickets for children are £12.

Christmas at the Botanics, Edinburgh

Visiting the Royal Botanic Gardens is one of the top things to do in Edinburgh in December. You can stroll through the city’s charming 70 acres of gardens in a magical, botanical and festive illuminated trail.

Also, make sure to keep an eye out for the Tunnel of Light, Laser Garden, Festive Flotilla of glowing boats and the Scented Fire Garden.

In addition to all of this, you can gather around the fire pit to toast marshmallows, and enjoy music, mulled wine, hot chocolate and festive foods. Also, there are perfect opportunities to get plenty of photographs for your Instagram. 

Tickets can be bought in advance online. Tickets for adults are £19 and for children are £13.50.

Glasgow Illuminated 

Glasgow Illuminated is located in the centre of Glasgow. You can follow the festive trail which displays magical lighting and iconic shopping spots.

The best place to start is in the heart of the city at George’s Square. The festivities and Christmas decorations, including the famous Nativity Scene at Georges Square, have been enjoyed for years. 

The main attraction this year is Glasgow City Chambers which has been illuminated with beautiful lights and lasers beaming from the roof.

From George Square, you can head to Royal Exchange Square and take the canopy of shiny glittering lights.

Here, you can enjoy the few Christmas stalls, nip into a designer outlet or two or enjoy a Christmas cocktail at one of the bars. 

From here, you can head to the St. Enoch Centre, which is one of the many sparkling shopping centres in the centre of Glasgow.

Outside of the entrance you can witness a canopy of Christmas lights and a massive stunning reindeer standing tall.

Next, you can head over to Buchanan Street where the House of Fraser is draped in golden Christmas lights. Just across from House of Fraser sits Princes Square which is decorated wonderfully for the season.

Here, you can take a photo of their 42ft Christmas tree. Also, at Princes Square you can try festive cocktails including candy cone coolers or hot buttered run from the new Christmas Courtyard Bar.

Continue up Buchanan Street where you can admire the decorations. Once you reach the top you can view the lighting projects on the wall of Buchanan Galleries and the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

IRN BRU Carnival, Glasgow

The IRN BRU Carnival is the largest indoor carnival in Europe!

Here, you can escape the cold for a few hours and enjoy thrill rides, games, and stalls where you can win prizes and tuck into delicious food. There are over 65 attractions to enjoy. 

The carnival first took place in 1919 at the Kelvin Hall, with classic stalls such as hook-a-duck, the dodgems and the coconut shy. Also, it was home to a circus, many people will remember the smell of elephants.

Since the 1980’s the carnival has been in the SEC and has attracted plenty of crowds since. 

Tickets can be online in advance. Tickets for adults are £16 and for children are £13. 

Aberdeen’s Winter Festival and Christmas Village

You can soak up the magical winter wonderland at the Christmas Village in Aberdeen. The new Village Square has been inspired by the European Christmas markets.

The square has a brilliant selection of street food including German Bratwursts, Dutch pancakes and mulled wine. Also, you can enjoy haggis bon bons and venison burgers from the Wee Kitchen.

In the village there is an open-air ice rink with the beautiful backdrop of Marischal College. Also, there is a selection of local craft stalls to pick up that special Christmas gift.

In addition, you can enjoy festive fairground rides at Codonas. Tickets for the open-air rink are £7.

Glamis Castle Christmas Market

Glamis Castle is a historical castle located in Angus near Dundee. An excellent wealth of local traders will gather here for a weekend to showcase their finest festive gifts.

Also, you can enjoy a wide range of food and drink before walking around the gardens and grounds. Tickets for adults are £7.50

Dundee’s Winterfest

This year Dundee has switched on a brand-new set of Christmas lights. The lights are uniquely designed for the city as they represent some of Dundee’s rich heritage.

Make sure you keep an eye out for your favourite DC Thomson characters. Also, Dundee will have a brand-new living Christmas tree, so make sure you head down to the city churches to see it sparkle.

Hogmanay Celebrations

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay

As well as Christmas, Edinburgh knows how to put on a show for Hogmanay. New Year’s Eve in Edinburgh is one of the world’s greatest events. It is definitely a bucket list thing to do!

In addition to New Year’s Eve celebration, there is an enchanting Torchlight Procession on the 30th of December where 17,000 flaming torches advance from Edinburgh Castle to the foot of the Royal Mile. 

Then on New Year’s Eve you can enjoy the street party which features live music from well-known stars, outdoor bars and a toe-tapping ceilidh. Also, you can enjoy the main event – sensational fireworks at midnight to bring in the new year.

Tickets can be bought in advance online. Street Access tickets cost £27. 

Inverness’s Red Hot Highland Fling

Inverness knows how to see in the New Year. The Red Hot Highland Fling is the largest free New Years Eve event and is the climax of the Inverness Winter Festival.

Here, you can dance away to the bells with lively Scottish music from superb performers. 

Stonehaven Fireballs

Stonehaven has a unique way to greet the New Year. Before the strike of midnight, drummers and pipers entertain the Hogmanay goers who are celebrating the New Year.

When the bells sound, local men and women swirl large cages of burning fireballs and march down the street with cheering crowds. 

The event lasts from twenty minutes to one hour. Once the event is finished the fireballs are thrown into the water.

It is an annual event that has been recorded for the past 150 years. The festival symbolises the burning of evil spirits, so the new year can begin with a fresh start.

Outdoor Winter Activities

Bowland Trails, Blairgowrie

At Bowland Trails, you can enjoy a passenger ride around the 220-acre estate.

There are over 40 huskies that are involved in the British, European & World Championship sprint Racing Team of Siberian Huskies.

Half way through the ride you will get the chance to view the amazing Scottish countryside and take photos with the huskies and team.

Huskyhaven, Stonehaven

Huskeyhaven is a place to go to meet the team of Siberian Huskies who completed the Iditarod Sled Dog race in Alaska.

You can visit the kennels with audio and visual presentations. Also, you get to run your very own team of dogs. 

Cairngorm Reindeer Centre, Cairngorms National Park 

The Cairngorm Reindeer Centre is home to around 150 free-ranging reindeer and is the best place to meet these friendly characters in their natural habitat. The centre is located near Aviemore in Cairngorms National Park.

Highland Wildlife Park, Cairngorms National Park

At the Highland Wildlife Park, you can see polar bears, reindeer, arctic foxes and snow leopards and many more. The Highland Wildlife Park is one of the best animal parks in Scotland.

The park also includes endangered animals of the world’s mountain and tundra regions. Also, there are lots of hills and stunning views around the park in the magnificent Scottish surroundings. 

Ski and Snowboarding

Skiing and Snowboarding in Scotland is very weather dependent however, with the optimum conditions the ski resorts are the best in the UK.

There are five stunning ski resorts in Scotland and they are accessible from all of Scotland’s cities.

Glenshee Ski Centre is located in the Cairngorms National Park and is the largest in Britain. Also, further north in the Cairngorms is the Lecht Ski Centre which is an excellent place for beginners.

Cairngorms Mountain Resort is also in the Cairngorms National Park and is a perfect place for adrenaline junkies. 

Alternatively, you can head over to the Nevis Range Mountain Resort or Glencoe Mountain Resort to get amazing picturesque views.

Northern Lights

The Northern Lights is a natural wonder which has fascinated mankind for millennia. To view the theatrical performance you can head to the islands, the Cairngorms, Angus, Fife, Aberdeenshire and Perthshire.

You can follow the MET office or AuroraWatch on Twitter to find out the best opportunities to see the Auroras.

Final Note

Scotland knows how to celebrate Christmas in style. The countdown to Christmas is well and truly on! Discover the epic things to do at Christmas in Scotland.

This post gives you the best places to go to get into the Christmas spirit. There are plenty of Christmas Markets, ice rinks and dazzling lights to explore. Also, Scotland is a wonderful place during the winter.

You can see the wonderful winter landscapes of the Cairngorms at the ski resorts or get close to Santa’s reindeer.