This post has been brought over to Glasgow IRL from our old blog. Hopefully it will give you some inspiration for next year.
Christmas is just around the corner and Glasgow is the perfect place to get into the festive spirit.
Lights switch on, menus change, shows appear, and suddenly the city feels busier, brighter, and just a bit more fun to be in.
If you’re looking for things to do in Glasgow in the run-up to Christmas, here are some ideas that feel festive without being stressful – perfect for evenings, weekends, or last-minute plans.
Glasgow Christmas Markets & Festive City Centre Wanders
Glasgow’s Christmas markets are best enjoyed as something to wander through rather than rush.
Good places to start include:
- Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland – In the absence of George Square this year, Glasgow Green in the place to get festive with an Ice Rink, family attractions and seasonal entertainment. It’s on until early January so pop over to their website for the info you need.
- St Enoch Square – If you’re looking for Winter Wonderland on a smaller scale, then you can check out St Enoch Square. This also has rides, attractions and gift and craft vendors.
- Buchanan Street and Argyle Street – the Christmas lights are up and these are two of the main streets you’ll want to visit to finish (or start) your Christmas shopping. There are new additions to the high street this year including Uniqlo which has just recently opened in Glasgow. Perfect opportunity to visit there if you haven’t already.
Tip: early evenings midweek are far more relaxed than peak weekend crowds.
Panto, Comedy & One-Off Christmas Shows
The weeks before Christmas are packed with shows that only appear once a year.
Here’s a few picks that you might want to check out over the next couple of weeks:
- The Little Mermaid at The King’s – Elaine C Smith stars in a must-see panto. Tickets here.
- Jock & The Beanstalk at The Pavilion – Have some belly laugh’s with the perfect Pavilion panto. Tickets here.
- Gallus in Weegieland at Tron Theatre – Ye canny beat a Christmas in Weegieland. Tickets here.
- Mary Doll Poppings at Oran Mor – There are currently no tickets left to see oor Mary Doll at the moment but it sounds fab. Read about it here.
These tend to sell out quickly, so if something catches your eye, it’s worth booking sooner rather than later.
Festive Food & Cosy Pubs
You don’t need to wait until Christmas week to enjoy festive food in Glasgow.
Before we get onto that though, did you know Wing Stop has now opened at Silverburn and its on its way to Braehead? Not exactly Christmas related but Glasgow’s waited a while for this so we thought we’d call it out.
And back to Christmas…
We won’t lie. Christmas time is busy and if you’re heading out between now and the big day itself, it’s going to be busy with Christmas shoppers. If you can get a table though, we’d recommend these spots in the city centre for pub vibes and good food:
- Horseshoe Bar – This is a brilliant pub and they’ve got Christmas food and drinks offers running now.
- Drum & Monkey – Check out the traditional Christmas menu in this cracking wee pub.
- Sloans – Sloans has been around for years and always has plenty on. Christmas is no exception with great food, films, shows and more.
Whether it’s a cosy pub, a neighbourhood restaurant, or somewhere you’ve been meaning to try, the run-up to Christmas is the sweet spot.
Independent Shopping & Local Gift Finds
The lead-up to Christmas is a great time to support Glasgow’s independent shops and makers.
Nice areas to explore include:
- The West End for bookshops, gifts, and cafés
- The Southside for creative spaces and local businesses
- The city centre for late-night shopping and pop-ups
It’s often a calmer, more enjoyable way to shop – and you’re more likely to find something genuinely different.
Winter Walks Around Glasgow
Not every festive plan needs to involve spending money.
Some simple, very-Glasgow options include:
- A walk through Kelvingrove Park or Glasgow Green
- A wander around Pollok Country Park
- The Clyde walkway on a crisp winter afternoon
Pair it with a hot drink afterwards and it feels like a proper seasonal outing.
Why the Run-Up to Christmas Is the Best Bit
Before Christmas Day arrives, Glasgow feels:
- More relaxed
- More spontaneous
- Easier to enjoy
You don’t need to do everything – just a few things that make the season feel like it’s properly started.
