Glasgow has revealed its exciting plans for Christmas 2026, bringing together much-loved traditions, new experiences and even more opportunities to enjoy a magical festive season.
Building on the popularity of recent additions to Glasgow’s festive offer, and with George Square returning as a stunning centrepiece, Christmas will be celebrated right across the city centre.
Doing things a bit differently, the new approach offers Glaswegians and visitors many more opportunities for special times in the build up to - and right throughout - the Christmas season.
And by spreading festivities right across the city centre, it will give retailers, bars and restaurants a festive boost across November and December.
Glasgow’s new Christmas programme launches the first week in November with the hugely popular Christmas Markets returning to St Enoch Square, with international food offerings, the Big Wheel and free entertainment.
Following its successful debut last year, the Glasgow Green Winter Wonderland, with Santa’s Grotto, the much-loved ice rink, Festive Big Top and thrilling rides, makes a welcome return later in November.
And of course, George Square returns to the heart of Glasgow's Christmas celebrations with the new Good Times Christmas Village in late November following completion of its multi-million pound transformation.
With food and drink offerings and fantastic festive light installations, the new Square's full programme will be unveiled closer to the time, with promises of magical moments right throughout the Christmas period.
The new approach marks a move away from the ‘one-off switch-on’ events of the past, replacing it with a series of Christmas celebrations across the weeks building up to the big day.
That makes sure that festive revellers aren’t left disappointed when demand far exceeds availability. Although almost half the city’s population applied for tickets to the old-style event, only 4% could ever attend because of the Square’s constraints.
Alongside the Christmas Markets, Winter Wonderland and return of George Square, the festive programme also features the traditional ‘Blessing Of The Crib’ in early December, stunning Christmas lighting installations at key locations right across the city centre and the city’s famous panto season.
The newly-established ‘Let’s Go Glasgow’ Business Improvement District is supporting festive activities, including helping bring George Square to life, while several major businesses will host additional Christmas events, such as the popular Princes Square Christmas lights switch-on.
It will also see local Christmas events across the city’s communities, including George Square, promoted as part of Glasgow’s Christmas experience.
Councillor Ricky Bell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
"Christmas is a season of magical moments, shared experiences and special memories. And this year Glasgow is offering even more.
“The Christmas countdown will soon be underway and Glaswegians and visitors can look forward to a much wider and even more exciting programme of events, attractions and family experiences right across the city centre and throughout November and December.
“For Christmas 2026, we’re making things more accessible, more convenient and certainly a lot fairer. That means a move away from the single event to mark the start of the Christmas season.
“That festive atmosphere that only Glasgow can offer and all the traditional magic Glaswegians know and love in their city won’t just be front and centre of our Christmas experience. It’ll be bigger and better than ever.”
As anticipation builds towards the start of the festive season, more details of Glasgow's Christmas 2026 programme will be announced.
Glaswegians have also been urged to keep an eye on the People Make Glasgow social media channels and a special festive Get You In Town campaign for more details on what the city centre has to offer during one of its busiest and most vibrant periods of the year.
Cllr Bell added:
“With fantastic festive experiences right across the city centre to discover and enjoy, our Christmas programme is about creating more opportunities than ever.
"Whether you're visiting the markets, enjoying Winter Wonderland, heading to the panto, taking in festive lighting displays, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there will be something for everyone.
“George Square has always been such a big part of what Glaswegians associate with Christmas and we’re delighted to see it back in the mix of our festive celebrations.
"We'll be keeping some exciting plans for our Festive programme under wraps until a little closer to the time, but we can promise visitors and Glaswegians alike that there will be more than ever to look forward to.”