Scottish Food Events and Festivals: December 2019

We begin in Glasgow at the grand opening of Vin-Cru, an intriguing new wine bar in the Merchant City. Wine-wise, the focus is on organic, natural and bio-diverse wines, so expect some nice funk and muskiness. Adding to the fun is the food, by The Hug and Pint and Dennistoun Bar-B-Que. What *is* the middle ground between Asian-inspired vegan food and juicy, juicy barbecued meat? Looks like we’ll get to find out. 28 Nov from 7pm, 60 Candleriggs, facebook.com/thevincru

On the same night in Edinburgh, someone’s had the fantastic idea of pairing beer with pizza. It’s a pretty incredible match-up – the brilliant Wanderers Kneaded pizza truck will pair half-a-dozen specially-developed pizzas with six beers from the equally excellent Campervan Brewery. Fans of carbs, your Christmas has come early. 28 Nov, 6pm, 112 Jane St, tickets £25 plus booking fee via Eventbrite  

Another cracking collaboration this month comes courtesy of a pair of much-loved Glasgow eateries. The extremely exciting and entirely vegan Tomillo take over Gnom in Shawlands for a one-off multi-course extravaganza. 3 Dec, 7pm, 758 Pollokshaws Road, tickets £35 plus booking fee via Eventbrite

Over in Edinburgh, Lovecrumbs herald the unstoppable march of Christmas with their now-annual wreath-making night. Joined by Edinburgh flower aficionados Pyrus, there’ll be the chance to crack into some mince pies and hot chocolate while making what could possibly be the most hygge item imaginable. With great festive power comes great responsibility, and so on. 4 Dec, 7pm, 155 West Port, tickets £68.90 via Eventbrite

It wouldn’t be the festive season without at least one party with a ludicrously overstocked bar, and the Christmas edition of the Barras Beer Bash looks like just the thing. Ten Scottish craft breweries will be on hand, including current Skinny faves Vault City and Overtone alongside reliable mainstays like Tempest and Williams Bros. Expect Christmas tunes, dozens of people in that Die Hard Christmas jumper from a few years back, and, in general, massive festive energy. 7 Dec, 11am-4pm & 5-10pm, 54 Calton Entry, tickets £4.50-9.50 via TicketTailor

In need of some festive cheer, but without a roast turkey in sight? A Vegan Connections Christmas returns to the Briggait, bringing together a host of vegan-friendly food and gift ideas to help you continue the Christmas momentum at the midpoint of the month. Vegan Connections will also be collecting donations for The Glasgow Winter Night Shelter, to which we give a hearty festive thumbs-up. 14 Dec, from 11am, 141 Bridgegate, £3.50

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the calendar dries up a little around the 20th – there’s some big holiday or other going on. Once Christmas is out of the way it’s time to start thinking about Hogmanay, and two of our favourite foodie venues are throwing big bashes to see out the decade. At the street food valhalla of The Pitt, there’s a Hogmanay Hootenanny that promises food, drinks, a nice atmosphere and heating in the warehouse room for the likely event that it’s absolutely freezing outside. 31 Dec, from 7pm, 125 Pitt St, tickets £25 via CitizenTicket

Back in the Old Town, Salt Horse are throwing a Hogmanay party that promises one of the best-stocked bars in town. See in the new year with some funky sours, tasty burgers, and a toasty atmosphere, in the ideal spot to run up the road for the fireworks before heading back inside to dodge everyone leaving the street party. Top stuff. 31 Dec, from 7pm, 57 Blackfriars St, tickets £40 via Eventbrite