The year may have flown by in a blur, but the festive season brings a welcome pause. The city is transforming for the holidays, and the city’s calendar is packed. Cue the classic Christmas tunes and make the most of December with our guide to the city’s unmissable seasonal things to do in Glasgow.
Nothing says Christmas like the beloved classics, and this winter Fever is bringing a special candlelight concert performing some of the most heartwarming holiday tunes. This festive season, get cosy and get yourself in the holiday spirit by enjoying seasonal music expertly performed under twinkling candlelight on December 12 and 18. Admire a stellar performance of “Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow!”, “Jingle Bells” and “Last Christmas”, and feel it usher in all the good feelings that arrive with the most special holiday of the year. Find your tickets here.
TikTok celebrity Chef Jimmy Lee has a Chinese restaurant located in Larkhall, and it’s been a sure-fire hit amongst the locals. So, head down to Shanghai Oriental for some feel-good Chinese scran to check out the newly opened venue boasting modern and warm décor. Indulge in culinary creations such as Chicken Satay, Scallops with Ginger and Spring Onions, and Roast Duck in Plum Sauce.
Run for charity dressed as Santa
Thousands of people dressed as Santa will be running the streets this December. The Santa Dash is back for another year and will take place on Sunday, December 6. Over 6,000 people dressed as Santa are expected to flood the streets and spread some festive cheer in support of The Beatson Cancer Charity. Get involved!
Check out these affordable festive events from circus to ice skating
M&D’s is bringing Destination Christmas, a series of affordable festive events including ice skating, circus acts, Santa’s Grotto and more. Destination Christmas kicks off on November 28, the festivities will continue right up until December 24. M&D’s Scotland’s Theme Park is located in Strathclyde Country Park, Bellshill, just a 20-minute drive from central Glasgow. Plus, the most expensive ticket for the events costs a mere £14! You can check out the events and book the tickets here.
Step into a Christmassy winter wonderland at the old Ivy building on Buchanan Street
As The Ivy restaurant has moved to a brand new historic building on St Vincent Place on October 10, the former restaurant is officially home to The Ivy Christmas, a brand new dining destination filled with the magic of Christmas.
The Ivy Christmas on Buchanan Street brought a “new festive pop-up transforming its former restaurant into a luxurious Christmas wonderland, complete with striking seasonal installations, festive drinks, Scottish-inspired dishes and live entertainment“. No booking required, just walk right in!
Christmas certainly isn’t Christmas without the festive markets popping up in the city during the winter months to lighten up the season. The much-loved events at St Enoch Square and Glasgow Green are bringing us one step closer to the big day with a myriad of seasonal chalets serving up the likes of bratwurst sausage, crepes, Dutch pancakes and Belgian chocolates, as well as a Festive Bar. Visitors can also treat themselves to a warming Hug in a Mug of Glühwein or a decadent hot chocolate with lashings of cream and topped with marshmallows. You can find out everything you need to know by checking out our guide on Winter Wonderland.
Experience thrilling rides and stalls at this year’s Irn-Bru Carnival
One of Scotland’s highly anticipated events, having run for over a century, the favourite festive extravaganza is returning to Glasgow this winter, and it’s expected to be a good ‘un. The popular Irn-Bru Carnival is coming back to the SEC Centre from December 18 to January 10, but be quick to grab tickets. Packed with thrill rides like the Rotor (Sticky Wall) and Turbo Jet, plus family rides, children’s rides, games, stalls and an inflatable play area for children, it will no doubt be an unmissable event in the festive calendar for all.
Mrs Claus is making a special visit to the oldest bar and restaurant in Glasgow, Slons’, this season, inviting wee ones for a storytime session, bringing the art of storytelling to life. Plus, the beloved Eat Film Christmas is back, inviting guests to eat their favourite festive classics. You can find out more here.
The sell-out festive family film tradition, itison Drive-in Movies, returns this Christmas from December 11–24 as it enters its 13th year at Loch Lomond Shores. Selling out in record time every year (literally in 24 hours), Scotland’s biggest drive-in event will bring an abundance of Christmas joy, showing all the classics, like Elf, Home Alone, Love Actually, The Polar Express, How the Grinch Stole Christmas and Die Hard 2.
Enjoy BYOB Christmas-themed pottery painting sessions
That’s right, The Craft Pottery is organising BYOB Christmas pottery painting to kick off the festive season. Christmas baubles, plates, mugs, bowls and themed evenings are all on the menu, which attendees can enjoy while painting their very own piece of pottery. Tickets start from £8.50 per person, including all the painting materials, with the experience running between December 1 and 22 at The Craft Pottery. You can book them here.
