Events in Edinburgh on 20 December 2025
Scroll down to view the events taking place in Edinburgh on the 20 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 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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Badly Drawn Boy
Cult icon singer-songwriter, Badly Drawn Boy, brings his special 25th anniversary tour celebrating his groundbreaking album 'The Hour Of Bewilderbeast' to The Queens Hall Edinburgh on 20th December!
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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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Big Country
Big Country return to the Liquid Room on Saturday 20th December for their only Edinburgh show of 2025 as part of their Eastworld UK tour!
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Boogies BIG Christmas Bash
Whether you’re planning your office holiday party, or fancying a festive night out with friends, Scottish Gas Murrayfield has Christmas covered!
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Breakfast with Santa
This festive season, enjoy breakfast with Santa and his elves, and make some magical memories at IKEA Edinburgh!
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Brunch with Santa
On the 20th and 21st of December join us at Scottish Gas Murrayfield for Sunday brunch with Santa himself!
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Candlelight: Christmas Movie Soundtracks
discover the music of Christmas Movie Soundtracks at St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral under the gentle glow of candlelight.
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Carols by Candlelight
Join Opera Caledonia at Stockbridge Parish Church on 19th & 20th December for 'Carols by Candlelight', for a festive evening of entertainment complete with mince pies and mulled wine!
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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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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 Party Night
Join us at Reconnect Howden Park on 20th December for an evening of pure Christmas fun!
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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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Cocktail Craft Masterclass
Join Summerhall Distillery for an immersive cocktail masterclass at their historic venue, where the art of mixology meets the science of spirits!
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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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Corn Exchange Christmas Cracker
Edinburgh Corn Exchange is thrilled to be bringing back the ‘best party in town’ this December and this year’s celebrations are going to be unmissable!
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Crafternoons
Looking for something fun to do with the kids during the winter? Then come along to these FREE arts and crafts sessions every Saturday at the Scottish Parliament!
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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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Disco Days Xmas Party Edinburgh
Celebrate your Christmas party the Disco Days way - party all day and get home at a reasonable hour!
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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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Doctor Bonk’s Macarbaret
Dr Bonk, Scotland's silliest surgeon, presents the Macarbaret: a madcap hour of drag, burlesque, music, comedy, and medical mayhem!
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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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Dr Arnott’s Sampling Sensation
Uncover the secrets of 17th-century medicine with a hands-on workshop led by an expert from his time: Dr Arnott, who examined his patients’ health by analysing urine’s colour, smell & TASTE!
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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 Corn Exchange Car Boot Sale Market
The Corn Exchange Car Boot Sale Market is the longest running car boot in Edinburgh... sell your unwanted goods to 1000s of bargain hunters and make extra cash!
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Edinburgh Farmers Market
If you're looking for a great place to find fresh, local produce and delicious food, Edinburgh's Farmers Market, held every Saturday, is a must-visit!
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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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Fire and Light, A Candlelight Christmas at 7 Charlotte Square
Step back in time and experience the magic of Christmas in 18th century Edinburgh at The Georgian House!
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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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Grassmarket Market
Every Saturday the centre of the Grassmarket becomes a flurry of excitement with the arrival of the weekly market... home to art, crafts, jewellery, gifts, not to mention amazing locally made food!
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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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Leith Market
The weekly Leith Market has it all - fresh meats, fish, bread, veggies, fruits, cheeses, home bakes, olives, jams, chutneys, oils, smokehouse products and lots more!
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Little Big Horns @ Music on The Mezzanine
Join us on the mezzanine at Central Library as we welcome the return of Edinburgh based Little Big Horns on Saturday 20th December!
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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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Michael Fullerton
A major exhibition by Glasgow-born artist Michael Fullerton comes to the City Arts Centre!
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Moonlight Sonata at Christmas
Treat yourself and your loved ones to a special pre-Christmas evening in the stunning surroundings of St Giles' Cathedral!
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Newhailes Market
Come along to Newhailes monthly market where you'll find a fine selection of handmade goods; from jams and chutneys to pies and candles!
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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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Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook
Phil Cunningham returns to The Queen's Hall with his extremely popular annual Christmas Songbook in December 2025!
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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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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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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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Shape Shifters: Work-in-progress
Shape Shifters is a joyful magical dance adventure for children aged 3+ and their grown-ups.
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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’!
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Speak 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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Stand Up Horror
Improvised, macabre tales featuring (voluntary!) members of the audience as actor, writer and tour guide Alex Staniforth invents a horror story every night at Stand Up Horror!
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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 Big Show
Enjoy a night of top stand-up comedy at The Big Show every weekend at Monkey Barrel Comedy, come see a line-up featuring outstanding local, national, and international comedians!
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The Comedy Show
Enjoy a a mixed-bill lineup of world-class comedians in the heart of Edinburgh's city centre at The Gilded Saloon.
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The Elf that wasn’t Elfing
Come along and join the festive fun and help Trixiebelle the Elf. She's just been promoted to Santa’s Workshop! The only problem is, she can’t quite get the hang of what she is supposed to do…
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The Holiday - Film with Live Orchestra
The beloved Christmas film, The Holiday, will return to the Usher Hall this festive season, featuring its musical score performed live to the film by a full concert orchestra!
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The Scottish Explorer: A selection of the Finest Local Produce
Indulge in an unforgettable culinary journey that celebrates the essence of Scotland at Summerhall Distillery's Scottish Explorer events!
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The Secret Room
The Secret Room at Lauriston Castle is an unforgettable journey into history, wonder, and imagination.
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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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The Wizard of Oz - Pantomime - Musselburgh
Follow the yellow brick road to the Musselburgh for a magical, musical panto adventure for all ages.
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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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Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Christmas
Enjoy an exceptional classical concert by candlelight this Christmas in the beautiful setting of St Giles' Cathedral
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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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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 Bookbug Sessions
Free, fun and fantastic! East Renfrewshire Libraries run several interactive song, rhyme and story Bookbug sessions!
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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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Festive Party Nights
Whether you're celebrating with friends, booking your work party, or fancy a night out with the other half - the Redhurst Hotel have got an events calendar packed full of ultimate party nights!
READ MOREEvents in Fife
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Fife:
The McDougalls: Winter Wonderland
Join The McDougalls, Scotland’s favourite children’s theatre company, at Rothes Halls for a magical musical adventure in a snow-filled Winter Wonderland!
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Playhouse Theatre Company Presents: Nativity! The Musical
This December, the Playhouse Theatre Company brings the smash-hit stage sensation Nativity! The Musical to Dunfermline!
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Snow White
This year, The Alhambra Theatre is thrilled to announce, for the first time ever, the fairest panto of them all, Snow White!
READ MOREEvents in Glasgow
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Glasgow:
Curious About Glasgow - Quirky Heritage Walks for the Curious!
Have fun discovering Glasgow on this award-winning, quirky, self-guided, heritage walk with a treasure hunt theme from Curious About!
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Polmadie Car Boot Sale
Held on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays, Polmadie Car Boot Sale is Scotland's only fully undercover car boot sale!
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The Rooks
The Rooks are a five-piece rock outfit from Glasgow, with a distinctively anthemic sound that is built to release crowds into aggravated euphoria, catch them live at The Art School on December 20th!
READ MOREEvents in Lanarkshire
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Lanarkshire:
Get Walking Lanarkshire Health Walks
Join Get Walking Lanarkshire on one of their regular health walks! Enjoy the fresh air, meet new people and have a good blether!
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Baltic
Packed with cool tunes, snowballing laughs and plenty of chances to shout out, Baltic is a heartwarming festive adventure for the whole family at Cumbernauld Theatre!
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Christmas Party Comedy Show
Join Breakneck Comedy for the funniest Christmas party in town, featuring Chris Forbes, Jack Traynor and Scott Forbes at Cumbernauld New Town Hall on Saturday 20th December!
READ MOREEvents in Renfrewshire and Inverclyde
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Renfrewshire:
Santa’s Grotto at Ingliston
If a visit to Santa's Grotto is not on your list, you’d better check it twice and book now to see him at Ingliston Country Club & Hotel!
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PACE presents Snow White
With a whole host of hilarious characters, fantastic original music, and the liveliest, most energetic chorus of young people – PACE's panto, Snow White, is one not to miss!
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A Christmas Carol: A Radio Play on Stage
Dickens' masterpiece, A Christmas Carol, is brought to the Beacon Arts Centre stage as a 1950s radio broadcast in front of a studio audience!
READ MOREEvents in Stirling
Here's a selection of events you can find over on our sister site, What's On Stirling:
The Mini Guns
Get ready to rock with The Mini Guns at our monthly residency at Slanj-A-Va, Stirling.
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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
Christmas at the Castle Tour & Afternoon Tea
Celebrate Christmas in festive elegance with a guided tour of the historic Kelburn Castle, followed by a delightful afternoon tea in its charming surroundings!
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Christmas Tales With Santa
Step into a world of festive wonder this December at Kelburn's Christmas Tales with Santa — a magical experience with fun for the whole family!
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Kilmarnock Farmers Market
Ayrshire Farmers Markets hold a market in Kilmarnock town centre on the third Saturday of each month!
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Largs Market
You'll find fresh produce and sweet treats, handmade crafts, jewellery, artwork, gifts, pet supplies and more at Largs Market every Saturday in Gallowgate Square!
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