Heads Up: 18 Christmas Events Across Scotland

Tea Green Festive Markets

V&A Dundee, Dundee, 24-26 Nov; Kelvingrove, Glasgow, 2-3 Dec
Pop-up event specialists Tea Green are curating design markets in Dundee and Glasgow this festive season. Starting at the V&A, they’ll platform some of the country’s finest designers and makers, including recent DJCAD graduates, before heading to Kelvingrove to champion Scottish creative talent all over again.

SPOT Winter Market

Pollokshaws Burgh Hall, Glasgow, 25-26 Nov, 11am-4pm
SPOT specialise in curating design-led events featuring work at a slightly higher price point than your standard craft fair. The makers list is yet to be revealed, but exciting surprises are promised by the SPOT team.

SPOT Winter Market. Credit: Mark Gillies

Crafted Festive Market

DCA, Dundee, 25-26 Nov, 11am-5.30pm
It’s another stellar lineup of local designers, artists and makers, this time in Dundee! Free drop-in to the airy galleries of Dundee Contemporary Arts.

The Muppet Christmas Carol with Live Orchestra

SEC Armadillo, Glasgow, 26 Nov; Usher Hall, Edinburgh, 27 Nov
Unquestionably the world’s greatest Christmas film, screened in the gilded surrounds of the Usher Hall or the errrrr armoured surrounds of the Armadillo, with accompanying live orchestra.

The Muppets Christmas Carol

The Night Market

Biscuit Factory, Edinburgh, 1 Dec, 6-11pm; Cottiers, Glasgow, 7-8 Dec, 5.30-10.30pm
The Glasgow event extends to two nights this year, with a different lineup of 30+ traders on each. With DJs, a bar and street food vendors, the Night Market turns the craft fair into a big night out.

Summerhall Big Christmas Weekend

Summerhall, Edinburgh, 1-3 Dec
This year’s weekender features the much-loved Christmas Market ft. a stellar lineup of Scottish small businesses from chocolatiers to gin makers via candlemakers and artists. There’s also a Christmas ceilidh from Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, a wreath-making workshop and a performance of ​​A Very Crypto Christmas from Glasgow-based street theatre company Adrenalism.

Dundee's Christmas Craft & Flea

Bonar Hall, Dundee, 2 Dec, 11am-5pm
A cross between a craft fair and a flea market, as the name might suggest, the UK-touring event arrives in Dundee with a packed lineup of local traders.

WASPS Winter Market

Briggait, Glasgow, 2-3 Dec, 10am-4pm
WASPS promise a lineup of 90 stallholders setting up shop in the extremely well-ventilated surrounds of the city’s glass-roofed old fishmarket. Featuring artists, designers and makers, one of a kind work will include ceramics, textiles, jewellery, homewares and much more besides.

Endless Love Creative Makers Market

Fruitmarket, Edinburgh, 3 Dec, 10am-5pm
More than 30 contemporary art, design and craft makers from across the UK will congregate in the Fruitmarket’s Warehouse space. Work including ceramics, jewellery, textiles, print, illustration and homeware will be on sale, while workshops on embroidery and wreath-making run in the adjoining Studio.

Jupiter Christmas Fair

Jupiter Artland, Edinburgh, 9-10 Dec, 10am-4pm
For one weekend only Edinburgh’s nearby art park is transformed into a winter wonderland, complete with snow, elves, festive donkeys and even the big man himself (Santa). Add in stalls from local businesses and a mug of mulled wine, and it all feels very Christmassy indeed.

Jupiter Christmas Fair. Credit: Jupiter Artland

Bowhouse Market

St Monan’s, 9-10 Dec, 10am-4pm
Leave the city and escape into the East Neuk countryside for the Bowhouse Christmas edition. The monthly market features a selection of Scotland’s finest food and drink producers, and the December edition has creative stallholders curated by Tea Green events, as well as family-friendly drop-in workshops and a herd of… alpacas?

Santa Dash

Glasgow Green, Glasgow, 10 Dec, 10am
This annual race sees 6000 people, many dressed as Santa, run around Glasgow’s East End in the name of charity.

The Stand Christmas Specials

The Stand, Edinburgh & Glasgow, 14-16 Dec
Get in your festive cheer with some of the funniest stand-ups from across the UK. Lineups vary but feature top comics and local favourites including Susie McCabe, Sam Lake and Marjolein Robertson.

Christmas at the Movies

City Halls & Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow, 17 Dec, 3pm; Usher Halls, Edinburgh, 18 Dec, 7pm
BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra return to the stage with their annual celebration of musical numbers ranging from Hollywood’s Golden Age through John Williams blockbusters and Disney favourites.

Christmas Market with Local Artists

Agitate, Edinburgh, 16-17 Dec
Details remain obscure at time of writing, but Agitate photography gallery, shop and creative space have recently relocated to the cobbly environs of William Street and their community is sure to present something special.

Christmas Market with Local Artists at Agitate. Credit: Marinel Dizon

Midnight Lunar Market

Voodoo Rooms, Edinburgh, 18 Dec, 5pm-12am
A night market with a spookier vibe, this regular event runs at night, offering an inclusive space for those who can't make the usual day markets. With a focus on alternative traders, you’ll find all your magickal needs met under the moonlight.

Studio Shop

Mount Florida Studios, Glasgow, every weekend until 17 Dec or by appointment
Featuring work by some of their super-talented tenants, expect art, ceramics, jewellery, metalwork, prints and much more besides. Find out more or book a visit via Instagram at @studio_shop_mfs

First Footin'

Various venues, Edinburgh, 1 Jan
Greet the new year with a day of free gigs in attractions, pubs and venues across Edinburgh’s Old and New Towns. A bunch of our favourite Scottish artists are performing, including Kathryn Joseph, Bemz, and Cloth, as well as a DJ set from Hot Chip.