Winter Breaks in Scotland

From Thursday 13 November to Wednesday 31 December 2025, Aberdeen city centre will sparkle as Christmas in Aberdeen returns with festive fun for all ages.

The Aberdeen Christmas Village on Broad Street brings rides, an open-air ice rink, and delicious festive food from local favourites including Big Manny’s Pizza, Tucan, Hot Chip, and We Love Crumble.

The new Christmas Light-up Trail will see 12 light features located across the city centre, with families able to discover them all while taking some fabulous Christmas selfies.

Blair Castle will transform into a festive wonderland this November as it welcomes visitors from across Perthshire and beyond to its annual Christmas Fair.

Over 50 Scottish art, craft and food producers will exhibit at the historic castle on Friday 2, Saturday 3 and Sunday 4 November, between 10am and 4pm daily.

Helensburgh will become a Christmas Town again when the Christmas Lights are switched on 22nd November. Visitors and residents will be welcomed in Colquhoun Square, Helensburgh, for a family fun day and children of all ages can cheer for Santa as he pressed the magic button to begin the Christmas season in Helensburgh.

Enjoy a free family-fun weekend with live performances by much loved local and national artists, dancing, music and street entertainers to get you in the festive spirit, funfair rides for all ages, Christmas cabins with unique gifts and treats plus more.

Join Glasgow pantomime superstar Elaine C Smith, and the King’s favourite funny-man Johnny Mac as they dive to the depths of the ocean in an exhilarating and enchanting theatrical extravaganza, the likes of which you’ve never seen before. They'll be joined by Darren Brownlie as Dishy Fishy for his fifth year in the King's Panto.

Come and see if Jock can defeat the giant, win the heart of the girl he loves and turn the Trots’ fortunes around. Once again, the Pav panto will have all the ingredients for a perfect family panto; with a dastardly villain, a hapless comic and a hilarious panto dame, as well as fabulous musical numbers and bags of Clydeside chaos! 

Pip is a very unusual penguin - the cold just isn’t their thing! While all the other penguins are loving the snow and ice, Pip dreams of endless sunshine and somewhere a little less chilly.

So, dressed in a woolly hat and with curiosity in their heart, Pip sets off on a big adventure to find the perfect place to call home.

Gerda and McKay are the bestest pals in the whole wide world (well certainly in the village of Upper Doonigan!), and spend their days climbing trees, splashing about in the burn, and clambering up Beinn Doon! Every day seems like the summer holidays to them! Nothing and no-one could ever ruin their friendship... surely?

Join RSPB Loch Lomond for a magical moonlit meander around the reserve after hours. Design and decorate your own recycled glass lantern to take home, then head off along our candlelit trail.

Along they way look and listen for creatures that only come out after dark, before enjoying a complimentary hot chocolate around the fire.

From 29th November to 23rd December, Blair Drummond Safari Park will be filled with festive cheer, adding extra sparkle to a family day out. Visitors can still enjoy all the highlights of the park — incredible animals, keeper talks, and plenty of playtime — with the addition of magical seasonal surprises.

Starring Scottish acting royalty and Strictly winner Joe McFadden as Prince Charming and Shetland and Monarch of the Glen star Dawn Steele as the Fairy Godmother!

Joe and Dawn will be joined by beloved panto dame extraordinaire Alan McHugh returning as Baroness Heifer McHardup, Paul J Corrigan as Buttons, Danielle Jam as Cinderella and Julie Coombe and Helen Logan as the Wicked Sisters Mhairi McHardup and Eilidh McHardup.

Join us deep in Tyrebagger Wood as our local hero – Rabbie Hood – robs from the rich and gives to the poor. The phoney Prince John has sent the Sheriff to tax the people of Aberdonia and it’s up to Rabbie and his merry band to save the day. Will he rescue Maid Marian from the clutches of the money-grabbing Sheriff and will Nurse Little Joan find love?

Wrap up warm and head to beautiful Helensburgh for Winterfest 2025 — a joyful celebration of local makers, seasonal food, music, and family fun in the heart of town. Expect twinkling lights, cosy vibes, and plenty of reasons to linger in Colquhoun Square with friends and family.

Indulge in a mouth-watering selection of food and drink from local suppliers. Warm up with a cup of mulled wine or freshly brewed coffee, enjoy freshly baked festive treats, or pick up gourmet goodies to take home. Our food and drink stalls will have something to satisfy every craving.

Step into a winter wonderland as you embark on an enchanting journey to Santa’s Toy Factory! Once checked in, you will begin your adventure in our makeshift Departure Lounge, where the excitement builds before you board your tractor ride.

Climb aboard ‘Mildred’ the Tractor, where your family will enjoy a magical ride through the twinkling farmyard lights making your way to Santa’s Toy Factory.

Attic returns to the Tivoli with Aladdin. Join us for a thoroughly ‘local’ take on this family favourite panto. With a talented cast of local performers, great music and original script it promises to leave you flying high.

For the past 10 years, Santa and his elves have made this woodland their home at Christmas, creating Scotland’s number one outdoor woodland festive venue. Conveniently located just 40 minutes from Glasgow and 30 minutes from Stirling, it’s a magical destination for families during the festive season.

The Loch Lomond Christmas Festival is returning to Loch Lomond Shores this December 2025, promising another magical experience for the whole family.

Every weekend throughout December leading up to Christmas we are delighted to have Santa with us each Saturday and Sunday. Santa will also be with us on the morning of Christmas Eve – Wednesday 24 December.

Families can meet Santa at SEA LIFE this Christmas and step into a winter wonderland beneath the waves. The experience includes Snowy’s Conservation Quiz Trail throughout the aquarium, a visit to Santa’s enchanting grotto — with a gift for every child — plus early access to the aquarium one hour before the chosen timeslot for meeting Santa.

Step into a winter wonderland as you embark on an enchanting journey to Santa’s Toy Factory! Once checked in, you will begin your adventure in our makeshift Departure Lounge, where the excitement builds before you board your tractor ride.

Climb aboard ‘Mildred’ the Tractor, where your family will enjoy a magical ride through the twinkling farmyard lights making your way to Santa’s Toy Factory.

Families can meet Santa at SEA LIFE this Christmas and step into a winter wonderland beneath the waves. The experience includes Snowy’s Conservation Quiz Trail throughout the aquarium, a visit to Santa’s enchanting grotto — with a gift for every child — plus early access to the aquarium one hour before the chosen timeslot for meeting Santa.

Every weekend throughout December leading up to Christmas we are delighted to have Santa with us each Saturday and Sunday. Santa will also be with us on the morning of Christmas Eve – Wednesday 24 December.

Step into a winter wonderland as you embark on an enchanting journey to Santa’s Toy Factory! Once checked in, you will begin your adventure in our makeshift Departure Lounge, where the excitement builds before you board your tractor ride.

Climb aboard ‘Mildred’ the Tractor, where your family will enjoy a magical ride through the twinkling farmyard lights making your way to Santa’s Toy Factory.

Families can meet Santa at SEA LIFE this Christmas and step into a winter wonderland beneath the waves. The experience includes Snowy’s Conservation Quiz Trail throughout the aquarium, a visit to Santa’s enchanting grotto — with a gift for every child — plus early access to the aquarium one hour before the chosen timeslot for meeting Santa.

Every weekend throughout December leading up to Christmas we are delighted to have Santa with us each Saturday and Sunday. Santa will also be with us on the morning of Christmas Eve – Wednesday 24 December.

The Fireball Ceremony is Stonehaven’s unique way to welcome in the New Year and greet friends and neighbours. As the midnight chimes ring out on December 31st, approximately 40 men and women parade up and down the High Street swinging fiercely flaming balls around their heads.