I love going to the Christmas Markets in Scotland every year- it’s one of the highlights when the temperature and daylight hours plummet over winter. More Christmas markets are starting to pop up all over the country, with many villages or castles hosting makers markets and child-friendly festivities. In this guide, I’ve compiled a list of Christmas markets happening all across Scotland for you to enjoy.
Maybe it’s the mulled wine or festive whisky cocktails, but there is something quite magical about the festive season in Scotland.
Winter wasn’t always filled with Christmas cheer, however. Did you know that Christmas was banned in Scotland for over 400 years? It was outlawed in 1640 by the Parliament of Scotland, and only became a public holiday in 1958!
When it comes to Christmas now, Scotland certainly makes up for lost time. Each year Christmas markets pop-up throughout the country, and Scots cross their fingers for a white (rather than grey) Christmas.
Scotland’s most popular Christmas Market is in Edinburgh, however, there are many smaller markets happening around the country this year. I will be visiting as many as I can, and here is a quick guide on what to expect this year!
Make sure you bookmark this page- I will be updating it as more Christmas markets and events are announced. Is there a Christmas Market in Scotland that isn’t on this list? Email me at yvette@wayfaringkiwi.com and I’ll add it.
Listen to the Life in Scotland podcast episode: Christmas in Scotland
The Best Christmas Markets in Scotland
Edinburgh Christmas Market
Opening dates: 15 November 2024 – 4 January 2025
The biggest Christmas Market in Scotland is the Edinburgh Christmas Market. For 6 weeks from November to January, it takes over Princes Street Gardens in the city centre.
Princes Street Gardens is the perfect location for Christmas celebrations- encased by Edinburgh’s grandiose buildings and situated right next to the Edinburgh Waverly train station.
Entry is free but be prepared to spend some pennies as it’s pricey inside (but worth the experience). It can be chaotic- so prepare to brave the crowds and guard your Glühwein from spilling!
There are over 15 Christmas-themed rides for adults and children, and speaking of children, you can take them to the Santa Land section where there are games and a pretty cool Christmas tree maze. There is also an ice skating rink for 2024.
The Haggis and I love wandering around the stalls, drinking Glühwein and mulled cider, and indulging in Kinder chocolate crêpes.
My favourite time to visit the Edinburgh Christmas Market is when it’s dark- I’m a tad obsessed with Christmas decorations and fairy lights (it’s the romantic in me) so make sure you go when everything is lit up!
Read More: The best things to do in Edinburgh in winter
Winterfest Glasgow
Opening dates: 9 November to 5 January
Glasgow’s Winterfest Christmas events will take place in St Enoch Square and George Square.
Here are the opening dates for each:
- St Enoch Square – Saturday 9th November to Sunday 29th December 2025
- George Square – Saturday 23rd November to Sunday 5th January 2025
St Enoch Square will have some great rides for the kids, including Santa’s Runaway Train, the Grinch Train, and a kids’ carousel.
George Square will have a bunch of Christmas-themed rides, including Helter Skelter, a kids carousel, and Santa’s train. They will also have an ice skating rink!
The Glasgow Christmas Markets aren’t as big as the Edinburgh Christmas Market, but they are a lot less overwhelming.
I recommend checking out both of these Christmas Markets- and there are plenty of fun pubs around if you want to make a night of it on the toon’.
Here are my tips and things to try at the Glasgow Christmas Markets.
- Ride the Giant Wheel
- Go ice skating at the rink! Each session lasts 45 minutes and skate hire is included in the ticket price
- Try Buckfast Mulled Wine (isn’t this the most Glasgow thing you’ve ever heard of?!)
- Get your photo taken in the gigantic sparkly snowglobe
- Slide down the vintage Helter Skelter
- Buy a decoration for your Christmas Tree
- Warm yourself up with a traditional Glühwein or a beer in one of the pop-up pubs
- Treat yourself with a doughnut or chocolate-covered churros!
Read more: Opening hours for Christmas and Hogmanay in Edinburgh
More Christmas Markets in Scotland
I will be adding more Christmas markets as they are announced- be sure to bookmark this page and keep checking back!
Crathes Castle Christmas Fair, Aberdeenshire
Date: 8th, 9th and 10th November
Times: 10 am – 3.00 pm
Location: Crathes Castle, Banchory AB31 5QJ
Entry costs £2.50
Buccleuch Centre Christmas Fayre, Dumfries and Galloway
Date: Sunday 10th November
Times: 12 pm to 4 pm
Location: The Buccleuch Centre, Thomas Telford Rd DG13 0AW Langholm
Free entry
November at Eden Court, Inverness
Date: 15th, 16th and 17th November
Times: 10 am – 5.00 pm
Location: Bishops Rd, Inverness IV3 5SA
Free entry
Aberdeen Christmas Village
Date: Friday 14 November to Saturday 22 December 2024
Times: TBC
Location: Broad Street
Free entry
Whitekirk Hill Christmas Fair, East Lothian
Date: 22nd, 23rd and 24th November
Times: 10 am – 4.00 pm
Location: A198, Whitekirk, North Berwick EH39 5PR
Free entry
Late Night Christmas Market, Cupar
Date: 21st and 28th November; 5 December 2024
Times: 2 pm – 8 pm
Location: Cupar Corn Exchange, St Catherine Street, Cupar, Fife, KY15 4BT
Free entry
December at Eden Court, Inverness
Date: 29th and 30th November, 1st December
Times: 10 am – 5.00 pm
Location: Bishops Rd, Inverness IV3 5SA
Free entry
Blair Drummond Safari Park Christmas Spectacular, Stirling
Date: 30th of November until the 23rd of December
Times: 10 am to 3.30 pm during the week (closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays), and from 10 am to 5.30 pm at the weekend
Location: Blair Drummond, Stirling FK9 4UR
Entry from £15; Kids 4+ from £10
Drumlanrig Castle Christmas Fair, Dumfries and Galloway
Date: Saturday 30 Nov – Sunday 01 Dec
Times: Saturday 30th November, 11 am-4 pm; Sunday 1st December, 11 am-4 pm
Location: Thornhill DG3 4AQ
Entry £3
Christmas Shopping Fair, Stirling
Date: Tuesday 3 December
Times: 6 pm – 9 pm
Location: Stirling Castle
Entry £6
Bathgate Christmas Market, West Lothian
Date: 6th – 8th December
Times: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM each day
Location: Bathgate Precinct, George Street, EH48 1PW
Loch Lomond Christmas Festival
Date: 7th and 8th December
Times: 10 am – 5:00 pm
Location: Loch Lomond Shores, Ben Lomond Way, Balloch, G83 8QL
Free entry
Trades Hall Glasgow
Date: 7th and 8th December
Times: 10 am – 4:00 pm
Location: Glasgow G1 1UH
Entry £2
Elgin Giant Christmas Market
Date: Saturday 14th December
Times: 10 am – 3 pm
Location: Moray Sports Centre
Free entry
What is your favourite Christmas Market in Scotland?
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