It's the most wonderful time of the year and the festive period is well and truly upon us now.
Here we share our favourite ways to celebrate Christmas and the festive season in Glasgow. There are loads of things to do in Glasgow during the festive months which include browsing traditional Christmas markets, Christmas shopping, afternoon teas, events and enjoying the holiday lights and decorations. We have also included how to get to and from Glasgow and where to stay whilst there.
There is many ways to enjoy the festive season in Glasgow with many Christmas events throughout the city. Head to the official Glasgow Loves Christmas website to see what events are scheduled during your visit. For more information please visit www.glasgowloveschristmas.com Each year the events list may change but our list should give you a good idea of what Glasgow has to offer.
Here is our list of 12 ways to celebrate the festive season in Glasgow!
Christmas Markets
Glasgow boasts not one but two authentic Christmas Markets, with more than 100 independent traders setting up stalls throughout both markets.
Enjoy street food and gastronomic delights from Glasgow and across the world, there is a crispy duck rotisserie, bratwurst, crepes, Dutch pancakes, hog roast, paella, Mexican, Indian and Chinese stalls plus lots more, and not forgetting vegetarian and vegan stalls.
There is plenty of drink options too from barista coffees to Glühwein (mulled wine) and each market has wunderbar- cosy, inside and heated bars!
There is an unlimited choice of gifts if you still have Christmas shopping to do, you can buy anything from soap to leather goods, chocolate and sweet treats to local gin and whisky. There is stalls selling delicious cheese and you can often sample these too, our highlight is the peri peri cheddar from The Great British Cheese Company in the George Sq Market. You can also buy personalised Christmas ornaments which make the gift of giving all that bit more special.
Christmas Market at St Enoch Square
St Enoch Square is transformed in to a Christmas village, catch the smells of the food as you meander through the stalls selling artisan gifts.
Open- Friday 9th November until Sunday 23rd December
Monday – Wednesday 10am – 9pm Thursday– Sunday 10am – 10pm (finish at 6pm on Sun 23 Dec)
Christmas Market at George Square
George Square looks delightful with a great buzz around this famous square, Christmas lights and decorations adorn the square and there is a 15-foot Christmas tree as well as a vintage Helter Skelter, and a much loved advent calendar, which Santa makes an appearance each day and hands out treats to the children.
Open- Sunday 25th November until Monday 31st December
Monday – Wednesday 10am – 9pm Thursday – Sunday 10am – 10pm (finish at 6pm on Mon 24 & Sun 31 Dec)
The Big Wheel
Also, in George Square you cannot miss the Big Wheel which towers over the square, George Square, like so much of Glasgow, has such amazing architectural buildings and this is a great vantage point as well as fun. Each ride is £4 per child / £5 per adult.
Style Mile Carnival
The carnival takes place the day that the market at George Square opens, this year that was 25th November, thousands of festive shoppers and visitors to the city centre watch the carnival as it heads from St Enoch Square to George Square where there are hundreds of performers taking part.
For more information on the carnival and its route please visit www.glasgowloveschristmas.com
Christmas Lights Switch On
There is a special ballot ticketed event a few weeks prior to the opening of the George Square Market where the Christmas Lights are switched on, transforming George Square, if you are lucky enough to get tickets this is an awesome event with fireworks too.
Eat
We recommend spending at least one full day in Glasgow as there really is so much to see, do and eat. We recommend having breakfast at Stack and Still, the UK’s largest pancake house, which offers enough variations to eat a different combination for every day for 35 thousand years! Ha! Please don’t feel tempted by the 5 stack as you will never finish it and you need to save room for the market food (or afternoon tea) the 3 stack will still be too much but oh my goodness is soooo amazing!
Afternoon Tea
There are many places that offer festive afternoon tea our favourite and best value is at the Blysthwood Square Hotel, with unlimited hot drinks and festive cakes and treats.
Drink
Glasgow has too many amazing bars to mention but our top 3 are the Citizen and the Anchor Line which are next to each other just off George Square on St Vincent Place. Our other top pick is Waxy O’Connor’s which is located the other side of George Square on West George Street, this Irish Bar is like no other, set over many floors this bar is head to toe in wood and gorgeous anytime of the year but feels so festive at this time of year. Please don’t come to Glasgow without having a drink at Waxy’s!
Christmas Shopping