Events in Edinburgh on 18 December 2025
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh on the 18 December 2025, or use the filters to narrow down the results.
Events in Edinburgh
3D2D Winter in the West End Christmas Market
Meet the artists, support local businesses and find extraordinary and unique items this Christmas at the 3D2D Winter in the West End Christmas Market in St Johns Episcopal Church!
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A Candlelit Christmas concert
Join Octavoce, the award winning acappella group, when they bring their Candlelit Christmas concert to Stockbridge Parish Church on Thursday 18th December!
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A Trail of Burke & Hare
Follow a tale from Edinburgh's fascinating history as you journey through the very sites and locations where it all took place on outdoor escape room, A Trail of Burke & Hare!
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Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer
Take to the skies and discover the world from above the clouds through the remarkable work of Alfred Buckham: Daredevil Photographer at the National Galleries of Scotland: Portrait.
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Almost Impossible 2.0: Martin Brock
Martin Brock is back at the Fringe with an electrifying, one-of-a-kind spectacle of slick, mind-bending magic, laugh-out-loud comedy, cutting-edge video production and astonishing illusions!
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Beneath the Surface: King’s Gallery Short Talks
Join our team at the Palace of Holyroodhouse for weekly gallery talks as part of the exhibition Drawing the Italian Renaissance!
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BetVictor Scottish Open Snooker
Snooker’s elite will return to the Meadowbank Sports Centre, Edinburgh in December for the BetVictor Scottish Open.
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Beyond Monet & Beyond Van Gogh
Step into a world of light, colour, and imagination with Beyond Van Gogh and Beyond Monet: The Immersive Experience at the Royal Highland Centre this Christmas!
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Bongo’s Bingo’s Christmas Cracker
Forget a boring beige Christmas in Edinburgh, come along to Bongo’s Bingo’s Christmas Cracker at the Edinburgh Corn Exchange!
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Castle Of Light
Make Castle of Light: Fire and Ice part of your festive plans and enjoy the largest annual projection show in the UK when it returns for its sixth year!
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Castle Street Christmas Market
Castle Street Christmas Market returns in 2025, providing everyone with something special to buy and enjoy.
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Ceilidh Tea Dances
Dance away the afternoon, and enjoy good company at these Ceilidh Tea Dances held in Marchmont St. Giles on Thursday afternoons!
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Christmas at the Botanics
Explore the sights and sounds of Christmas in this magical after dark experience when it returns to the Royal Botanic Gardens in Edinburgh!
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Christmas at The Chocolatarium
Celebrate the magic of Christmas with indulgent, chocolate-filled fun and hands-on festive chocolate making at The Chocolatarium!
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Christmas with the Salvation Army
Come celebrate Christmas with the Salvation Army in St Marys Episcopal Cathedral, as we celebrate everything that makes Christmas so special.
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Cinderella: A Fairytale
Coming to the Royal Lyceum Edinburgh Christmas 2025, the story we all love that has captivated audiences around the UK: Cinderella!
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Cold War Scotland
Exploring Scotland’s critical position on the frontline of the Cold War, a new exhibition will tell the stories of the Scots at the centre of this global conflict.
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Conifox Christmas Experience
Conifox Christmas Experience is back for it’s 8th year, with so much more than just Santa's Grotto!
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Conservation Hangar Talks
See behind the scenes of the work carried out in the museum’s Conservation hangar with these free talks.
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Cuddly Corgi Treasure Hunt
Looking to entertain the kids? Come and spot our cuddly corgis hiding around Britannia’s tour route.
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Curious About Edinburgh - Quirky Heritage Walks for the Curious!
Have fun discovering Edinburgh on this award-winning, quirky, self-guided, heritage walk with a treasure hunt theme from Curious About!
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Dancing Shoes
After a raucous run in the Spring, Dancing Shoes returns to the Traverse in December with even more heart, humour and high-energy moves.
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Dear Library
To mark our 100th birthday, the National Library of Scotland presents a special exhibition, 'Dear Library'.
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Discover the Joy of Reading in Japanese – Join Our Book Club!
Are you passionate about Japanese but find it difficult to enjoy the learning process? Then join our Japanese Book Club, led by Edinburgh-based native tutor Hitomi Kobayashi-Prior!
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Dog Training in Edinburgh
Dogs Trust Dog School Edinburgh offer training classes for dogs at all stages of their lives, in a relaxed and enjoyable environment.
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Drawing the Italian Renaissance
This exhibition at The Palace of Holyroodhouse, brings together a wide range of drawings from this revolutionary artistic period, including 45 drawings never exhibited in Scotland before.
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Eat, Drink, Be Merry - Private Festive Party Night
Celebrate the season in style with an unforgettable night of festive fun at Delta Hotels by Marriott Edinburgh!
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Edinburgh ‘Open House’ Ceilidhs
Join Edinburgh ‘Open House’ Ceilidhs with Live Band & Caller, held in the Royal British Legion Hall! If you love to dance or want to learn this event is for you.
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Edinburgh Magic at The Caledonian
Kevin Quantum invites you to an intimate and quite astonishing evening of magic, mystery and wonder in one of Edinburgh’s most historic and enchanting hotels - The Caledonian!
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Edinburgh Nuclear Bunker Tour
Don't miss an amazing opportunity to see part of Scotland's Cold War History on the Barnton Nuclear Bunker Tours every Saturday and Sunday!
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Edinburgh Zoo Giant Lanterns
Edinburgh Zoo's award-winning Giant Lanterns event is back this winter, for the first time in six years, with a never-before-seen theme, featuring all things aquatic!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: Around the World Starflyer
Try it if you dare! The Starflyer is back at Edinburgh's Christmas giving the finest, and most thrilling, views of the stunning city centre skyline!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: Christmas Market
One of the most iconic Christmas Markets in Europe, Edinburgh's Christmas Market returns to East Princes Street Gardens showcasing the best in artisan festive products and goods from local makers!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: Ice Skating
Get your skates on and glide all the way up and down Edinburgh’s famous George Street on the magnificent alpine ice rink!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: LNER Big Wheel
The LNER Big Wheel returns to East Princes Street Gardens to give passengers a unique perspective of our spectacular city!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: Santa’s Stories
Santa is back at Edinburgh's Christmas this year! Make your little one's day and bring them along to our Santa Experience in St Andrew's Square!
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Edinburgh’s Christmas: The Polar Ice Bar
Take some time to ‘chill’ at the Polar Ice Bar, the coolest bar in the city, where your table, chairs and glasses are sculpted entirely from ice.
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Escape the Past: The Anatomist
Descend into a world of grave robbery, mystery and malpractice as you embark on a thrilling adventure into Edinburgh’s dark past.
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Escape the Past: The Deacon’s Cabinet
From Escape The Past comes a new escape room 'The Deacon’s Cabinet', a historical heist escape room which challenges you to outsmart the infamous Deacon Brodie!
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Festive Family Films
Big-screen favourites return to Dynamic Earth, including The Polar Express, The Grinch, Home Alone and Elf, shown on selected weekends and daily in the run-up to Christmas.
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Five Sisters Zoo Christmas Illuminations
By popular demand, Five Sisters Zoo's Christmas Illuminations are back this winter with a mesmerizing display of colour and light!
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Guided Looking: An Artwork Audio Described
Join Fiona Johnston, audio describer, as she describes various artwork and objects from the Royal Collection at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
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Hooked: 500 Years of Addiction
From heroin to gambling, from alcohol to love, explore the history of addiction at Hooked, an exhibition at the Physicians' Gallery.
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IKEA: Magical Patterns
IKEA Museum's Magical Patterns exhibition comes to Dovecot Studios, celebrating 60 years of innovative textile design.
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Jubilate Children’s Choir
Jubilate is St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral's new junior choir, held every Friday during term time in the Song School on the Cathedral grounds.
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Kids Japanese After School Club Ages 7-12: Language, Crafts & Culture
Led by Hitomi Kobayashi-Prior, this Kids Japanese After School Club transforms screen-based self-study into real-world interactive learning with crafts, games, and cultural fun.
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Lanterns Grotto
Make your little one's evening at Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns extra special this festive season and meet Santa Claus at our Christmas Grotto, which will be inside our Budongo Trail building!
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Live Music at The Botanist
The Botanist hosts live music from Thursday to Sunday every week! From acoustic singles, duos, trios and full band, we have it all.
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MAMMA MIA!
Don't miss MAMMA MIA! at the Edinburgh Playhouse from December 2025! Enjoy the ultimate feel-good factor at the world’s sunniest and most exhilarating smash-hit musical.
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Maps: Memories from the Second World War
Through personal stories, photography and memorabilia, this exhibition at the National War Museum charts the creation and use of maps during the Second World War.
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Méabh Breathnach
In Bodies of Work (in progress), Méabh Breathnach uses ceramics, metal and the body as materials, tools, and sources of inspiration in the creation of both sculptural and functional objects.
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Megan Black + Nikhita + Corin
Catch Megan Black at Sneaky Pete's Edinburgh on Thursday 18 December along with Nikhita and Corin!
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Michael Fullerton
A major exhibition by Glasgow-born artist Michael Fullerton comes to the City Arts Centre!
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Ocean Terminal Christmas Market
Ocean Terminal Christmas Market is the place to be for a magical indoor shopping experience.
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Panorama: New Views of a City
Collective Edinburgh's Panorama programme takes inspiration from the origins of the panorama to explore how we see, move through and understand the city today.
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Panto 2025: Jack and the Beanstalk
Join Allan Stewart, Grant Stott and Jordan Young for the GIANT of a pantomime we've all BEAN waiting for!
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Party Nights
Enjoy a night to remember at Novotel Edinburgh Park's Party Nights with a festive three course dinner and music to get you up and dancing!
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Picking up the Thread: The Past, Present and Future of Tapestry
Dovecot is delighted to welcome a wonderful variety of artists to show their work in The British Tapestry Group’s celebration of its 20th anniversary.
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Resistance
Resistance explores how acts of resistance have shaped life in the UK, and the powerful role of photography in documenting and driving change.
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Robert Plant Presents Saving Grace Featuring Suzi Dian
Music legend Robert Plant is back and shaking things up, hitting the road with his band, Saving Grace and plays the Usher Hall Edinburgh on Thursday 18th December!
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Royal Mile International Piano Series
Set against the magnificent backdrop of St Giles’ Cathedral — illuminated by candlelight - these concerts promise an unforgettable musical experience!
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Rugby for Beginners
Corstorphine Cougars are running free beginners classes every Tuesday for Females of all ages who would like to try Rugby!
READ MORESanta Paws at Dobbies Edinburgh
Give your canine companion their own festive experience with a trip to visit Santa Paws at Dobbies Edinburgh!
READ MORESanta Paws at Dobbies Livingston
Give your canine companion their own festive experience with a trip to visit Santa Paws at Dobbies Livingston!
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Santa’s Grotto
This winter, discover the magic of Santa’s Grotto at Dynamic Earth! Meet Santa, then settle in for a storytelling session.
READ MORESanta’s Grotto at Dobbies Edinburgh
Santa's Grotto is always one of our most popular experiences at Dobbies Edinburgh, and this year it's even more magical!
READ MORESanta’s Grotto at Dobbies Livingston
Santa's Grotto is always one of our most popular experiences at Dobbies Livingston, and this year it's even more magical!
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Santa’s Snowy Spectacular!
Join us in upstairs in our IKEA restaurant for a holly jolly good time this Winter season! Bring the whole family in for a night full of festive fun, laughter and creativity.
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Scotland’s Gardens Scheme Open Garden: Kevock Garden
This wonderful hillside garden has magnificent views over the North Esk Valley with a wide diversity of plants and has featured in many magazine articles and gardening programmes.
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Scottish Chamber Orchestra: Mozart Matinee With Peter Whelan
Celebrate the full breadth of Mozart's musical glories at this sumptuous concert in the company of some passionate Mozartians.
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Shen Xin: Highland Embassy
Highland Embassy brings together three projects by artist and filmmaker Shen Xin and is showing at Collective Edinburgh from October to December 2025.
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Showtime @ The Comedy Attic
Join us for Showtime at The Comedy Attic every Friday and Saturday for the best comedy this glorious city of Edinburgh has to offer!
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Sinbad the Sailor
Edinburgh People's Theatre presents Sinbad the Sailor, a Traditional Pantomime by Alan P Frayn, at Church Hill Theatre this December!
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Snow White
Mirror Mirror on the wall, what is the greatest panto of all? Join us deep in the forest this Christmas as the Reconnect Regal Theatre presents ‘Snow White’!
READ MORESpeak Japanese with Confidence – Join Our Japanese Chat Club!
Looking to practise speaking Japanese in a relaxed and supportive environment? Then join our Japanese Chat Club, led by Edinburgh-based native tutor Hitomi Kobayashi-Prior!
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Sundown Adventures
For the very first time Go Ape's popular Sundown Adventures will be available at Dalkeith Country Park between 28th November and 30th December.
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Tang Soo Do
Come and try out the traditional Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do at Gracemount Leisure Centre on Wednesdays & Saturdays!
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The Stand Christmas Special
Forget wearing paper hats and eating over-priced turkey – instead come and get some Christmas cheer from the very best comics from the UK and beyond at The Stand Edinburgh!
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The Wizard of Oz - Panto 2025
Join us over the rainbow this Christmas as Reconnect Reconnect Howden Park presents ‘The Wizard of Oz’!
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Unmasked: Exploring Scottish Portraiture
Featuring examples of painting, drawing, sculpture, printmaking and photography, the exhibition at City Art Centre spans almost 400 years of artistic production.
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We Are The Witches. We Are, Hear
This is an exhibition of textile artwork by 70 wise women artist using their craft to Challenge, Disturb and Disrupt. Catch it at The House of Smalls in August!
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Winter Family Trail
Free this Winter at St Cecilia's Hall, can you find all 8 snow-people hidden around the galleries and answer each of their questions?
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WinterFest
Step into the magic of WinterFest and soak up the Christmas spirit at Dalkeith Country Park!
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You Mean the World Exhibition
This exhibition explores the history of air pollution and of recycling and re-use in nursing and shows how talented nursing teams are taking climate action today.
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Events in East Renfrewshire
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On East Renfrewshire:
East Renfrewshire Health Walks
East Renfrewshire Council HSCP and East Renfrewshire Community Hub run several walking groups throughout the week perfect for beginners upwards!
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Cinderella
Eastwood Park Theatre has announced its panto production for 2025 will be the magical fairy tale, Cinderella!
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Cinema Screening: It’s A Wonderful Life
Enjoy a screening of Frank Capra's 1946 classic feel-good movie It's a Wonderful Life at Eastwood Park Theatre on Thursday 18th or Tuesday 23rd December!
READ MOREEvents in Fife
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
Snow White
This year, The Alhambra Theatre is thrilled to announce, for the first time ever, the fairest panto of them all, Snow White!
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From These Parts: Scotland, Art and Identity
Join us at Wardlaw Museum for this exhibition and uncover Scotland’s identity through the creativity of its artists!
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Ya Wee Mammy McGoose
The Best Wee Panto in Scotland returns to the Kings Theatre Kirkcaldy with a Brand Spanking New Production that looks set to scale new Heights and become our Best Wee Panto Ever!
READ MOREEvents in Glasgow
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
The Mary Wallopers
Irish folk band The Mary Wallopers have announced five massive headline shows at The Barrowlands from Wednesday 17th to Sunday 21st December!
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Hopscotch Theatre and Glasgow Life present The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Isla Cowan puts a new twist on the classic tale, as it follows the adventures of a young Dorothy with dreams of being a rock star!
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Scottish Trad Night
Enjoy an evening of Scottish Trad Music, performed by local musicians every Thursday at the Dukes Umbrella!
READ MOREEvents in Lanarkshire
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
M&D’s On Ice
M&Ds on Ice is undercover at M&D's Scotland's Theme Park. Make memories with family and friends... the perfect festive day out!
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Believe In Santa
A magical Christmas experience for all the family, this year M&D's Theme Park's 'Believe in Santa' is BIGGER, BETTER, and with MORE SPARKLE than ever before!
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Christmas at New Lanark
Step into the magic of the season at New Lanark, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it's transformed into a winter wonderland for Christmas at New Lanark 2025!
READ MOREEvents in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Christmas Wreath Workshop
Kick off the Christmas season with one of Restoration & Creation's most-loved events — a fun and festive wreath-making workshop that’s guaranteed to get you feeling merry and bright!
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Physio Led Antenatal Pilates
Grace Ferguson Pilates will launch an antenatal (pregnancy) Pilates class on Thursday evenings in Paisley at the lovely SANA Yoga & Massage from January 9th.
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Renfrewshire Bookbug Sessions
Free, fun and fantastic! Renfrewshire Libraries run several interactive song, rhyme and story Bookbug sessions throughout the week!
READ MOREEvents in Stirling
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
Preschool Activities With Active Stirling
Come along to The PEAK, Stirling for three very different, but fun, weekly preschool sports activities!
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Santa Paws at Dobbies Stirling
Give your canine companion their own festive experience with a trip to visit Santa Paws at Dobbies Stirling!
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Santa’s Grotto at Dobbies Stirling
Santa's Grotto is always one of our most popular experiences at Dobbies Stirling, and this year it's even more magical!
READ MOREEvents in Other Areas
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