Scottish Live Music Highlights: December 2025

French synth-pop artist Oklou brings her debut album choke enough to QMU (1 Dec), before the technicolour, recorder-playing, dancefloor-bothering Mermaid Chunky kick things into high gear at Mono (4 Dec). The rest of the first week of the month brings Jesca Hoop to The Hug & Pint (5 Dec), Snow Strippers to SWG3 (6 Dec), Sudan Archives to QMU (6 Dec), Porridge Radio to St Luke’s (7 Dec) and Wolf Alice to the OVO Hydro (7 Dec), before Caribou (Barrowlands) and The Futureheads (Òran Mór) kick off week two on the 8th.

Scottish artists continue to shine bright throughout the month, of course. For the second of AMPLIFI’s main room shows at The Queen’s Hall, headliners Uninvited are joined by LAMAYA (3 Dec), while Malin Lewis Presents Flook and Sian the following night. Glasgow doomgazers Cwfen play Legends (5 Dec), Sarah/Shaun launch their In Silence Love Speaks Loudest EP at The Bongo Club (6  Dec) and Acolyte celebrate their latest single, Warm Days at People's Leisure Club (6 Dec), while Cowboy Hunters (11 Dec) and Megan Black (18 Dec) round out the year with shows at Sneaky Pete’s. Dundee residents can also catch Cowboy Hunters at Beat Generator Live! (4 Dec), or head to Livehouse for Idlewild on the 6th. In Stirling, Sing the Greys – A Celebration of Frightened Rabbit takes over the Albert Halls (5 Dec) featuring Kathryn Joseph, Louis Abbott, Katie Gregson-Macleod and more.

In Glasgow, the 5th is busy with shows from James Yorkston (CCA), Pistol Daisys (The Poetry Club) and Jacob Alon (Mackintosh Church), while the 6th brings Humour to King Tut’s and Rianne Downey to Old Fruitmarket. Peach Crumb launches her debut EP, You’re Too Young and Pretty to be Sad, at Mono (11 Dec), while Lacuna launch Nest at King Tut’s (12 Dec). Shindig host a Palestine Fundraiser at The Hug & Pint with Water Machine, Maz and the Phantasms, Junk Pups and Vibrator (16 Dec), and Ask Alice rounds out the year with a King Tut's headliner (30 Dec).

VLURE. Image by Alex James.

When it comes to Christmas shows, your options are plentiful. In Glasgow, King Tut’s host a Present Drive with Gallus, Tina Sandwich and Woeful Idle (7 Dec). Conscious Pilot host their first annual Christmas party at McChuills with Dancer, Bestco International Supermarket, festive tunes and a raffle (10 Dec). Collection Box are raising funds for Amma Birth Companions at The Doublet with Martha Ffion, Jill Lorean and Goodnight Louisa (17 Dec), while on the same night A Georgia Cécile Kinda Christmas comes to Old Fruitmarket. No a Mean City IV: Warmth In the Winter with VLURE, Dictator, Pearling and iwanttobeontv takes over Beech Avenue Social Club (19 Dec), Tommy Reilly’s All-Star Christmas returns to St Luke’s (22 Dec), and Intibint curates Hogmanay at The Glad Cafe (31 Dec).

In Edinburgh, Queer as Punk host Queer Xmas: It’s a Synth! with Thundermoon, Gravelle and Demi and the Urge (Wee Red Bar, 6 Dec), Lost Map presents… HUMBUG with Free Love (DJs), Both Hands, Gulp and Seamus Fogarty (Leith FAB Cricket Club, 13 Dec), and Post Electric and Friends presents A Christmas Celebration in aid of Gig Buddies Thera Trust with Hamish Hawk, rEDOLENT and The Citrines (Sneaky Pete’s, 17 Dec). Hogmanay celebrations get underway early as Vitamin C host Swim School and waverley. at Assembly Rooms (29 Dec), before the massive Concert in the Gardens takes over Princes Street Gardens where headliners Wet Leg are supported by locals Hamish Hawk and Lucia and the Best Boys (31 Dec), before a glut of free First Footin' shows take place across the city on 1 January.