7 festive events to get you in the Christmas spirit

the big christmas market

You can’t beat a classic. A visit to Edinburgh’s world-famous Christmas Market is a must in December. Yes, it’s busy and chaotic – but it’s still pretty great. With delicious food and drink, traditional crafts, unique gifts and goods, and presents for the wee ones in the Santa Land Children’s Market in Princes Street Gardens – there’s something for everyone. Literally.

the independent christmas market

If you’re looking for something a little more niche, hunt down some unique stocking fillers at the Big BAaD Christmas Market in Glasgow’s BAaD Centre. The Barras Market will be filled with fantastic traders from all backgrounds on Sunday 16th December, from 11am to 7pm, bringing you the very best in independent Christmas shopping. The market is free to enter, family-friendly, dog-friendly – plus the award-winning A’Challtainn Fish Restaurant & Bar will be serving brunch all day. Hurrah!

Check it out.

something crafty

If you’re the type of person who never has any clue what to write in a Christmas card (is ‘Merry Christmas’ enough?!) then pop along to the Christmas calligraphy class at the Braw Wee Events Space in Glasgow at 2:30pm on Sunday 9th December. Beginners are welcome, and by the end you’ll be a calligraphy wizard and can show off to your whole family. Because no-one cares what the card says when it’s written in a beautiful brush-pen cursive, right?

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wine, anyone?

This one’s an excuse to overindulge in some sneaky pre-Christmas fizz. Rose Murray Brown (Masters of Wine) are hosting a wine-tasting evening at ABode Glasgow on Wednesday 12th December. You’ll sample 13 types of bubbles from around the world, comparing the real deal – Champagne – to the likes of Prosecco and Cava. Our prediction? You won’t be able to tell the difference… but shhh, you can pretend – and you’ll like them all anyway!

Check it out.

lots of lights

Did GlasGLOW leave you wanting more glow-in-the-dark madness? Pop along to the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh and wander through the dazzling outdoor trail, decorated with more than a million twinkling lights. The Cathedral of Light is sure to be the highlight (pun intended). It’s a new installation made of over 100,000 pea-lights which runs for 70 metres alongside the famous Beech Hedge. Magic.

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feeling arty

For the art lovers among you, Winter Windows is back for another year. Based in Edinburgh’s West Parliament Square outside St Giles’ Cathedral, it’s a creative project which encourages young and budding artists to showcase their talents on the streets of Edinburgh. This year, each stained-glass window has been designed around the theme of ‘kindness’ – and we can’t think of anything more festive than that.

Check it out.

for a good cause

Sleep In The Park is a nationwide sleep out which aims to end homelessness in Scotland for good. Last year, 8,000 people joined the world’s largest sleep out in Princes St Gardens and raised £4 million for the cause. This year’s sleep out will be held across 4 cities on Saturday 8th December – Glasgow and Edinburgh included – with 12,000 people set to take part. And even if you aren’t one of them, you can still do your part by making a donation.

Check it out.