Top 10 Things To Do At Christmas In Glasgow, UK

1. Watch Glasgow switch on its Christmas lights at George Square

Glasgow’s Christmas Lights Switch On event will happen on November 20, 2022, at George Square. Turn up at night and watch the Christmas lights coming on, marking the official start of the season and the countdown until Christmas day. The city also holds numerous festivities on later days, including the Blessing of the Crib, the Glasgow Santa Dash, and Baby’s First Christmas.

It’s a free event but due to space limitations at the square, you will have to book a ticket online to be able to attend the event. This year, there won’t be fireworks, but there will be great entertainment and musical events happening at various venues up until Christmas.

Glasgow’s Christmas Lights Switch-On Event

Address: George Square, Glasgow G2 1DH, United Kingdom

Price: Free

2. Explore culinary options at the Glasgow Vegan Christmas Market at the Drygate Brewery

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The Glasgow Vegan Christmas Market is a huge event set to happen at Drygate Brewing Co. on November 20, 2022. The brewery is just a 15-minute walk away from George Square. The venue welcomes families and dogs and offers wheelchair access to its customers. It is also a popular spot where the city’s vegan-friendly enterprises meet with fellow vegans and customers.

The event features 25 stalls including vegan food pop-ups offering purely vegan products in the form of hot meals, skincare, clothing, housewares, pet products, and desserts. You can dine at the venue which has a terrace and. There are also stalls for vegan information, eco-friendly beauty demos, sustainable markets, and charity information.

Glasgow Vegan Christmas Market

Address: Drygate Brewing Co. 85 Drygate, Glasgow G4 0UT, United Kingdom

Website: Glasgow Vegan Christmas Market

Price: 3.83 GBP (4.34 USD)

3. Enjoy festive meals at the Malmaison Glasgow

Celebrate Christmas with style and delicious food and book a table or a private room at the Chez Mal Brasserie. It’s the on-site fine dining restaurant of Malmaison, a luxurious hotel in Glasgow.

On Christmas day, they will serve a four-course meal featuring traditional Christmas dishes such as pudding and roast turkey so families will have something special to feast on. The price includes a glass of champagne.

Malmaison Glasgow

Address: 278 W George Street, Glasgow G2 4LL, United Kingdom

Website: Malmaison Glasgow

Opening hours: Mon - Sat: 7am - 9:30pm (closed on Sun)

Price: 89 GBP (approx. 100 USD)

4. Go ice skating at Elfingrove at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

What is Christmas without ice skating at Elfingrove? Make your Christmas complete by buying tickets to this ice-skating event. You get to ice-skate on the grounds of the prestigious Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum which is festooned with Christmas lights and decor for the occasion. The ice-skating event runs from November 24 to December 24, 2022.

There are several skating rinks where you can skate, dance, and drink under the glow of the lights. You can go skate-side dining at the on-site restaurant, grab some beer from the Apres Bar, or ride the Magic Snow Wheel and enjoy scenic views from above.

Elfingrove at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum

Address: Argyle Street, Glasgow G3 8AG, United Kingdom

Website: Elfingrove at Kelvingrove Museum & Art Gallery

Price: starts at 10 GBP (approx. 12 USD)

5. Have a fun time at the Annual Christmas Spectacular

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Celebrate Christmas with this yearly musical extravaganza to be held at the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on December 20, 2022. Dress fancy for this party that will be everything about Christmas cheer. There are song and dance numbers performed by special guest singers such as Ricardo Afonso, Kerry Ellis, Jingle Bell Dancers, Glasgow Chamber Choir, and the Scottish Concert Orchestra.

Annual Christmas Spectacular

Address: The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow City Centre G2 3NY, United Kingdom

Website: Annual Christmas Spectacular

Opening hour: 7:30pm

Price: starts at 27.44 GBP (approx 32 USD)

6. Be mesmerized at the Princes Square Christmas Lights Switch-On event

The annual Christmas Light Switch-On event at Princes Square will be held on November 20, 2022. Princes Square is a popular 19th-century structure known for its iconic ornate facade. It earned its status as “Scotland’s Favorite Building”. Its prime location on Buchanan Street makes it the perfect venue for exciting events such as the Christmas lights switch-on ceremony.

Tourists revel in the square’s eye-catching scenery and festive vibe, and they can even do some Christmas shopping for designer labels, and high-end brands, then dine in stylish restaurants at the square. Princes Square even offers a boutique cinema.

Princes Square Christmas Lights Switch-On event

Address: Princes Square, 48 Buchanan Street, Glasgow G1 3JN, United Kingdom

Website: Princes Square Christmas Lights Switch On

Opening hour: 5pm

Price: Free

7. Make memories with the kids at Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies Milngavie

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Dobbies Milngavie is a huge store retailing garden products. The store is surrounded by lovely countryside landscapes and is the venue for the annual Santa’s Grotto event. This year the event will be held from November 24 to December 24, and it will be more interactive than before.

The grotto is designed as a snowy forest inhabited by rabbits and reindeer. The kids are guided by Santa’s elves as they walk through the artificial forest and reach Santa’s toyshop. There they meet Santa and help with menial tasks such as packing toys on his sleigh. You can even take photos with Santa, and he gives the children gifts in return for their help.

Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies Milngavie

Address: Dobbies Milngavie, Boclair Road, Milngavie, Glasgow G62 6EP, United Kingdom

Website: Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies Milngavie

Opening hours: Mon - Fri: 9am - 5:30pm; Sat - Sun: 11am - 5:30pm

Price: starts at 7 GBP (approx. 8 USD)

8. Bongo’s Bingo Glasgow - Christmas Specials

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

If you feel lucky this Christmas, then join the exciting Bongo’s Bingo at the SWG3 Studio Warehouse! This spectacular event features bingo games with Abba-style live entertainment, dancing, and a variety of other Christmas-themed games. This year, the games will be held on select days in December.

Bongo’s Bingo Glasgow - Christmas

Address: SWG3 Studio Warehouse, 100 Eastvale Place, Stobcross Rd, Glasgow G3 8QG, United Kingdom

Website: Bongo’s Bingo Glasgow

Opening hour: 6pm

Price: starts at 10 GBP (approx. 11 USD)

9. Go on a shopping spree at the Tea Green Festive Art, Design & Contemporary Craft Market

Looking for unique gifts to give this Christmas? Look no further, just visit the Tea Green Festive Art, Design & Contemporary Craft Market at the Glasgow Botanic Gardens. It’s a display of various handcrafted items made by local artisans which are lovely and impressive to give as gifts or display at home. Admission is free so you have more money to purchase the items! The shops are open on select dates, including November 19 and 20 and December 10 and 11.

Tea Green Festive Art, Design & Contemporary Craft

Address: Glasgow Botanic Gardens, 730 Great Western Road, Glasgow G12 0UE, United Kingdom

Website: Tea Green Festive Art, Design & Contemporary Craft

Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (select dates)

Price: Free

10. Revel in the season's cheer at the Country Living Christmas Fair Glasgow

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

The Country Living Magazine, a prestigious magazine, hosts this annual Christmas fair that brings together all the best designers, food producers, and artisans from all over the UK.

There are 300 exhibitors you can choose from to do your Christmas shopping. Most products here are handcrafted items you don’t typically find in stores. There are also hands-on workshops and live cooking demonstrations. The fair is conducted from November 17th to the 20th. Buy the more expensive tickets and enjoy a few freebies!

Country Living Christmas Fair Glasgow

Address: Scottish Event Campus, Exhibition Way, Glasgow G3 8YW, United Kingdom

Website: Country Living Christmas Fair Glasgow

Opening hours: Thu - Sat: 10am - 5pm; Sun: 10am - 4pm (closed Mon - Wed)

Price: from 20 GBP (approx. 23 USD)

Christmas is fun in Glasgow!

You’ll definitely feel the Yuletide cheer with so many things to do in Glasgow during Christmas. With live events, festivals, and Christmas fairs, the city will keep you happy and busy all throughout the season. Use our list as your itinerary and head to Glasgow for a fun Christmas.