Glasgow's Best Christmas Markets

Yes it is very early but proper planning prevents poor present performance, etc. We've scrutinised the upcoming events calendar to offer up this handpicked selection of the best places to buy your Christmas presents in Glasgow this year if you like your gifts to be thoughtful, finely crafted and locally sourced. Most are served with a side order of mulled wine because it's not really Christmas without a constant low level buzz, is it? We'll be adding more events as they're announced so check back for more updates – and if you're organising a market, please tell us on hello@theskinny.co.uk.  

23 November 

Country Living Magazine’s Glasgow Christmas Fair @ SEC, until 26 November, 10am-5pm, from £11.50
‘Why are you recommending a fair organised by that weird bunting magazine?’ we hear you cry. We’ll tell you why – because it’s hilarious. The website is filled with images of lacklustre attempts at crafting that conjure up a hipster reimagining of a 1940s domestic science manual. Looking for a vase for your foraged bouquet? Why not tie a ribbon around a tin can? Get creative!

Recommended offerings include ‘elegant knitwear and cashmere for your wardrobe capsule.’ Not your capsule wardrobe, your wardrobe capsule. For when you go into space. There are three separate hour-long events where you can learn how to make a ‘decorative needlecraft robin’ and a 45 minute tutorial on making hot chocolate. Need we say more? Tickets start at £11.50, and you can sign up for an undisclosed ‘VIP experience’ for just £53.

25 November

Discover our Hidden Christmas, Hidden Lane, 1103 Argyle Street, 12-6pm
For a slightly more creatively stimulating experience, head to Finnieston and the Hidden Lane for the studio holders' open doors day. This is the launch event for over 20 shops and studios, open throughout December. Enjoy special offers, family friendly activities, tombola, treats, bubbles, mulled refreshments and mince pies. Follow the Hidden Lane on social media for their advent calendar of special offers and discounts. 

2 December

Ross Street Market, Barras, 3 Ross Street, 11am-5pm, free
Many Studios' monthly Ross Street Market brings together some of Glasgow’s finest artists, designers, makers and street food purveyors in the historic surrounds of the Barras. You can pick up some artisanally roasted coffee, or a made-to-measure dog jacket, or even take part in a mindfulness drawing workshop. It’s an eclectic mix with a local focus – pop into the gallery for a last chance look at the highly recommended Camara Taylor exhibition, Flourish, before it closes on 3 December.

Etsy Made Local 2017, The Briggait, 141 Bridgegait, until 3 December 11am-4.30pm, free
Back for its third year, the Etsy Made Local Christmas fair takes place over two days with a line-up of of 65 of Glasgow’s finest designers and makers on each day. Featuring Skinny favourites including Risotto (srsly check out their new range of week planners) and Polymorphics’ geometric wooden objects alongside a wide array of weird and wonderful products there truly is something for everyone. Ever wanted a necklace that is both stylish AND safe for your teething baby to chew on? NumNum Teething Jewellery is here to help. Looking for some reindeer dust to encourage Santa’s sled to set down upon your (or your upstairs neighbour's) roof? It turns out this is a thing which is available! Paper Street Dolls will sort you out.

Christmas Hypermarket curated by Trakke, SWG3, 100 Eastvale Place, until 3 December, 11am-6pm, free
The monthly pop-up market is back with a special Christmas edition curated by everyone's favourite Scottish rucksack designers Trakke. Aimed squarely at people who don't want to endure the hysteria of Buchanan St Christmas but do want to be able to actually look at the products they're buying for their nearest and dearest, the Hypermarket promises a carefully curated selection of high quality brands and designers alongside the usual merry vibes of SWG3 i.e. good music, booze and food. The line-up offers a tour of top quality local design and includes Paulin Watches, Rebecca Torres and Hilary Grant, to name but three. 

3 December

Barras Art & Design: The Glasgow Markets: Christmas Gift Special, 54 Calton Entry, 10am-6pm, free for people, dogs and children
A co-promotion from celebrity double act Glasgow Vintage Fair and Glasgow Independent Market in the trendy yet historically resonant surrounds of BAaD, this promises to serve all your present purchase needs from vintage treasure to independently-made goods.

7 December

Grey Wolf Christmas Sale, Grey Wolf Studios, 131 Craighall Road, 4-8pm
Organised by print designer extraordinaire Laura Spring, this annual favourite brings together some of Glasgow's finest designers and makers to present their exquisite wares in the Speirs Lock studios. A full list of exhibitors is yet to be released, but we can tell you the line-up will include jewellery from Skinny favourite Cecilia Stamp and bold lighting and accessories in colourful folded paper from Kate Colin. Mulled wine will, naturally, be available alongside delicious sweet treats and general jolly Christmassyness. 

9 December

Art, Design & Contemporary Craft Market (Tea Green Pop Up Events), Kibble Palace at Glasgow Botanic Gardens, until 10 December, 10am-6pm
Staged in the glorious surrounds of the Botanic Gardens’ Kibble Palace, Tea Green present their usual stellar line-up of local crafts and arts people ready to provide you with beautiful, reasonably priced bespoke gifts for your nearest and dearest.

The Glasgow Vegan Christmas Festival, Briggait, 141 Bridgegait, 10am-5pm, £2, followed by Vegan Connections, Mono, 9pm, £8
‘WHAT? A VEGAN CHRISTMAS? Is that really in the spirit of the season?’ we assume you bellow. But hold on! Long before Christmas was about pigs in blankets, slaughtering turkeys, and glitter (which is killing our oceans, FYI) this most holy of days had another message – one more closely aligned with veganism’s overarching mission of compassion, responsibility and generally trying not to murder the planet. So we’ll let them have this one.

Head to the Briggait to sample vegan delights from some of the UK’s leading producers while sipping upon mulled wine and general cruelty-free Yuletide spirit, before popping over to Mono for a Vegan Connections gig featuring Randolph’s Leap. 

Doggy Christmas Market, Sloans, the Argyle Arcade, from 12pm
Details are slight, but it’s a Christmas Market for dogs, so we’re on board.

10 December

WASPS Artist and Makers Market, Briggait, 141 Bridgegait, 11am-4pm, free
Back in the Briggait (maybe just camp out there yeah?) for their studio holders’ market featuring artists and designers from the WASPS venues across Scotland. With a wide variety of fine art, craft and design on sale, this is the perfect opportunity to #supportyourlocalmaker and #shoplocal with all proceeds going direct to the artists themselves. Workshops and refreshments will also offer entertainment throughout the day 

17 December

The Ultimate BAaD Christmas Market, 54 Calton Entry, 11am-8pm, free for all people and dogs
It’s another mash-up from Glasgow Vintage Market and Glasgow Independent Market! This time featuring guest vocals from Winter Feast End Food. Go to panic buy an Art Deco teapot for your close friend or relative, stay for the festive treats from an array of the city’s finest street food vendors.