Santa's little helpers are busy preparing for Scotland's best ever Christmas celebrations, with event programmes and activities kicking off across the country from the end of November.

 

From welcoming Christmas markets, unique gifts ideas, mulled wine, mince pies and other festive delicacies to exhilarating experiences including ice rinks, carnivals, carols, ceilidhs and parties popping up in towns and cities the length and breadth of the country, there is something on offer for families, shoppers and revellers alike.

Here are just some of this year's highlights to look out for...

Edinburgh's Christmas

Light Night: Sunday, 24 November, 2.30pm - 5pm, George Street

FREE

Edinburgh's Christmas will be bigger, better and more beautiful than ever before and getting the party started this year is Light Night where there will be 850 performers across several stages, each performing an act, a dance, a song or a piece of music to celebrate one of the 12 days of Christmas.  The night climaxes with the city's Christmas lights being switched on and this year six-time Olympian Sir Chris Hoy will be doing the honours.  The night will end with a spectacular fireworks display to kick off the festive season - not to be missed!

 

Edinburgh Christmas markets: 22 November - 5 January, 10am - 10pm

Various locations

Everyone loves a Christmas market, and this year there are three to choose from. The European market is a traditional and romantic market, located in the picturesque setting of The Mound, where shoppers will find crafts, art, gift shops and gastronomic surprises. There's also the Scottish Market in the heart of St Andrew's Square, where traditional and modern Scottish gifts, foods and drinks will be on offer.  While the adults are indulging in some locally produced culinary delicacies, the kids can enjoy the new Children's Market where specialist stall holders will be selling  toys and goodies, so kids (and big kids) can delight in finding a special gift.

 

Limbo: 22 November 2013 - 4 January 2014, 7.45pm, Speigeltent, St Andrew's Square

Tickets: £10

A festive celebration of otherworldly proportions, check out the greatest party ever between heaven and hell. Following critical acclaim in Adelaide, Australia and a sold out run at the Southbank Centre in London, Limbo brings heart-stopping illusions, mind-bending manoeuvres, breathtaking dance moves and thrilling live music from highly skilled performers to Scotland's festive revellers.  

 

Hot Dub Time Machine: Selected dates from 4 - 21 December, 9.30pm

Tickets: £12.50

If you fancy dancing the night away, Hot Dub Time Machine, the world's first time-travelling dance party, returns to Edinburgh after a sell-out run at the Fringe Festival back in August. Travel back in time to 1954, then boogie back to 2013, with a song for each year powered by the audience's dancing!

 

Rides & attractions: 10am - 10pm, The Mound

Ticket prices vary per activity

The StarFlyer at 60 meters high is truly breathtaking. Take your seat and view Edinburgh like you've never seen it before - at 360 degrees over the rooftops, and maybe with your eyes firmly shut! There's also a Big Wheel with 36 enclosed, weather-proof pods, each seating six people and giving you unrivalled views of Edinburgh.

 

For children, explore the Christmas Tree Maze and prepare to get lost in a magical land! If you do find the centre, Santa's elves will be waiting for you with a present. Also a treat for the little ones, all aboard the Santa Train! Take an exciting ride around the maze and get fantastic views of all of Edinburgh's sights, with a jolly fellow in red driving the train.

 

Children can make their own Christmas cards, design their own gingerbread men and make calendars in the Children's Workshops, ideal for keeping children entertained on cold and snowy days. A first for Edinburgh's Christmas, four different shows will take place throughout the festive period, two of which are family-friendly.

 

Glasgow Loves Christmas

 

Families, shoppers and those seeking some festive fun are set to travel from far and wide to soak up the magical atmosphere in Glasgow this Christmas.  Gearing up to welcome over 11 million visitors to the city over the Christmas season, Glasgow offers a jam-packed programme of festive events, stylish shopping and great places to eat and drink, all against a glittering city centre backdrop.

 

Glasgow on Ice: From Saturday, 23 November, George Square

The coolest day out this Christmas, Glasgow on Ice returns to George Square with fun on the ice for all the family. Skate with friends, family or colleagues and enjoy festive food and drink and absorb the fun at Glasgow's only open air ice rink. Advance booking is now open. 

 

George Square Events Programme: Saturday, 23 November 2012 - Sunday, 6 January 2013

The newly refurbished George Square will be transformed into a Christmas wonderland with a host of free family-friendly entertainment seven days a week. Traditional choirs, Santa story times, pantomimes, puppet shows and dance events, are just a few of the activities on offer.  Live family entertainment will run weekly including:

• Mondays - new music with Hear Glasgow
• Tuesdays - treat yourself Tuesday
• Wednesdays - festive films
• Thursdays - Big Big Sing
• Fridays - Thank Glasgow It's Friday
• Saturdays - free family fun
• Sundays - story times with Santa and other family events and entertainment

Glasgow Christmas Market: Friday, 15 November -Monday, 23 December, St Enoch Square

FREE

St Enoch's Square will again host Glasgow's Christmas Market, a showcase of gifts, crafts and food and drink from around the world, open from 10am - 8pm Monday - Wednesday, 10am - 9pm Thursday - Saturday and 10am - 6pm on Sundays. With over 50 traders, the Christmas Market is a gastronomic journey around the globe with crepes from France, a fantastic selection of chocolates and other delicious Scottish confectionery from local traders. There is also an exotic selection of ostrich, wild boar and crocodile burgers for those with a taste for adventure. There's tasty giant Bratwurst from the iconic and authentic German Schwenkgrille, Spanish Paella, and nougat from Italy. And for those doing Christmas shopping there are handmade gifts carefully crafted by traders from around the world. 

 

Christmas shows

Glasgow's theatres come alive with some of the UK's best Christmas entertainment in November and December. Hollywood star, John Barrowman stars in Jack and the Beanstalk with the much loved Krankies at the SECC, and family favourite Aladdin, featuring Karen Dunbar and Des Clarke is at the King's Theatre. Pinocchio, starring former Pop Idol winner Michelle McManus is also on at Glasgow's Pavillion Theatre. There's nothing quite like the ballet at Christmas and Scottish Ballet's Hansel & Gretel at the Theatre Royal will not disappoint.

 

Hogmanayday: Tuesday, 31 December, George Square 12 noon - 10pm

FREE

2014 is set to be one of Glasgow's most memorable years so bring it in with a bang at George Square with a day of traditional family celebrations including Scottish music and delicious food and drink. Enjoy free fun for the family with kids' craft activities, storytelling, highland dancing and ceilidh bands.

 

Glasgow Loves St Andrew's Day: Saturday, 30 November 2013

George Square will be transformed into a gathering place for Scots and visitors from across the globe to celebrate St Andrews Day in Glasgow with a three day weekend, starting at 6pm on Friday, 29 November.  It is all family focused and free.  People can find out more at www.glasgowloveschristmas.com

 

On Friday ceilidh band Skipinnish, will start the shindig in style and on Saturday the city will mark the day with food, drink, dancing and music.  Pipe bands including the Williamwood Pipe Band and Drums and Roses to name two will be taking to the stage in the big marquee, with plenty of chances to sing and join in traditional music workshops, with instruments such as the fiddle and bodhran.  Later in the evening Face the West ceilidh band will bring the night to a close in true Scottish style. (Saturday's event will finish at 10pm).

 

On Sunday from 12noon there will be costumed Scottish storytelling and enactments for children, followed by a Scottish themed family matinee movie.  Celtic Connections 2013 Danny Kyle Open Stage award winners Gria and new Scottish folk singer Lori McTear will take to the stage on Sunday evening - a veritable feast of all things Scottish. 

 

Christmas Shopping: the Style Mile

Glasgow is the biggest shopping destination outside of London's West End (Experian 2008). With more than 1,500 shops including all the major high street stores and quirky boutiques, Christmas shopping will be a joy. Many of the city's retailers have also just extended their opening hours to 7pm throughout the week and will open even longer over the festive period, meaning longer to shop! Find out more at www.glasgowstylemile.com, where you can also download the free Style Mile app.

 

 

Aberdeen Winter Festival

Caroling Concert: Saturday, 21 December, 11am and 2pm, Duthie Park

FREE

In Aberdeen wrap up warm and head down to Duthie Park Winter Gardens for the Caroling Concert on Saturday, 21 December (11am and 2pm). Bring a hot drink, enjoy the carols then explore the gardens at their winter best.

 

Perthshire

Christmas Vintage Fair: Sunday, 8 December, 11am - 3pm, Blairgowrie

Free

In Blairgowrie, the annual Christmas Vintage Fair on 8 December, 11am - 3pm, is where you'll find a variety of vintage and antique wares, clothing, jewellery, china, up-cycled furniture, antiques, ceramics, furniture, textiles, soft furnishings and of course gourmet cupcakes - you'll be spoilt for choice for gifts for a special someone.

 

It's A Wonderful Life: 29 November - 22 December, various times, Pitlochry

Tickets: from £14.50

The classic Christmas film It's A Wonderful Life is being performed as a musical on stage at the Pitlochry Festival Theatre, from 29 November to 22 December. Be transported to upstate New York where lights are twinkling and snow is falling. For one man, the season of peace and goodwill brings only despair. George Bailey, someone who has given up his youthful dreams of escape and adventure in order to help his family, his friends and the citizens of Bedford Falls, faces ruin and disgrace. Will he be saved?

 

Christmas on the Islands

Traditional Crafts Fair: Saturday, 23 November, 11am - 4pm, Isle of Skye

FREE

On the Isle of Skye, a traditional crafts fair on Saturday, 23 November from 11am - 4pm will showcase of goods from local producers, featuring knitwear, cards, pottery, candles, watercolour prints and artisan foods.

 

Inverness Festivals

Scottish Ballet performs Hansel and Gretel: 22 - 25 January, times vary, Inverness

Tickets: from £15.50

The Scottish Ballet will be on tour in Scotland with their new production of Hansel and Gretel. Unwrap this Christmas treat from 22 - 25 January 2014, at the Empire Theatre. Set in a small town in the 1950s, where all the children have disappeared, Hansel and Gretel embark on an exciting adventure venturing deep into the enchanted forest to find their friends. Hansel and Gretel will also be playing in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Aberdeen in December and January.

 

For more information on all the events listed above, and other events taking place throughout Scotland, go to www.visitscotland.com

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For press information please contact:
Ruma Cummings
Tel: +44 (0)131 472 2024
Email: Ruma.Cummins@visitscotland.com