Scottish Winter Magic: Festivals You Can’t Miss

Winter is an amazing time for festivals and events across the UK, and Scotland is no different. With several Christmas and New Year festivals on the horizon, as well as a couple of unique events, there is plenty to choose from; here are a few of the best. 

Burn’s Night

As a celebration of one of the most famous and influential poets and storytellers in history, Burn’s Night is a favored event amongst Scots. Dedicated to Robert Burns, it is packed with fun, culture, and tradition. 

Grab your vape starter kit and dress warm, as Burn’s Night involves listening to the bagpipes, reading some of Burn’s work, eating haggis with neeps and tatties, toasting Burn’s, and reciting Selkirk Grace; it is a true representation of Scottish history and culture. 

Celtic Connections

Celtic Connections is a premier festival that celebrates traditional, roots, and folk music of Scotland. Held from the 16th of January to the 2nd of February, this incredibly fun and famous festival brings local and international musicians together for two weeks of amazing music. 

This is the ideal festival to get in touch with the musical and artistic history of Scotland; with a drink in hand and a stomach full of delicious food, it is an event the whole family can enjoy, and a must if you can get your hands on some tickets. 

Hogmanay

There is arguably no bigger Scottish Winter festival than Hogmanay. This traditional Scottish New Year’s event takes place on the 31st of December every year, and sees tens of thousands of revelers from around Scotland, and the rest of the world, ring in the new year during Hogmanay.

There is live music, food, drinks, DJs, street parties, and everything in between. Edinburgh turns into party center at this time of year, and there is no better place in the country to celebrate the end of the year, and the beginning of the next. 

Up Helly Aa

Held across several communities on the Shetland Islands between January and March, Up Helly Aa is a celebration of the Viking history of the area. Attendees dress up, and there are several fire rituals that take place over the weeks. 

Traditionally, groups of guizers will march through the villages with torches, dressed like Vikings of old, and then finish their march at a replica Viking Galley, which they set alight. The festival is exceptionally fun and unique and a perfect way to mark the end of the Christmas season. 

St Andrew’s Day

Celebrated on the 30th of November, St. Andrew’s Day is Scotland’s official National Day, and is a festival dedicated to Andrew, the Patron Saint of Scotland. The day is marked by enjoying traditional Scottish food and music and is also celebrated in countries with Scottish connections. 

St. Andrew’s Day is also seen as the start of Scottish Winter and Christmas festivals, and is one of the “Big 3,” along with Hogmanay and Burn’s Night. 

Stonehaven Fireballs

Another unique festival that is held over the New Year period is the Stonehaven Fireballs Festival. In the small but beautiful village of Stonehaven, when the clock strikes midnight, around 40 men and women take to the streets dancing, singing, and swinging balls of fire around their heads and bodies. 

While small, the festival is steeped in history, dating back to the 19th century, with its origins being put down a superstition held by fishermen, with the swinging of the fireballs representing the warding off of evil spirits in the year to come. 

Edinburgh Christmas Market

Edinburgh is already a magical city to visit no matter the time of year, but the festive season is really when it comes alive. With the city covered in decorations and Christmas spirit, heading to the Edinburgh Christmas Market is a no-brainer. 

Here, you can enjoy hot drinks, food, stalls, and everything in between. It is ideal for the whole family, and considering it is in one of the most beautiful cities in the world, you will most definitely not be left disappointed. 

Edinburgh Winter Wonderland

Along with the Christmas Market, you can enjoy the fun and excitement of the Winter Wonderland. A place full of carnival rides, games, and even more stalls, this is the perfect place to let loose and have fun for a few hours. 

Both of those Edinburgh events draw in huge crowds, so it is best to arrive early to avoid disappointment, or simply spend a night in one of Edinburgh’s many hotels. 

St Andrews Square Winter Garden

This simple, yet spectacular Christmas event sees the beautiful St Andrews Garden turn into a bright and breathtaking maze of lit up trees. Four hundred fifty trees are illuminated, with multiple paths taking you across the garden, with a few surprises hiding along the way. 

In conclusion, Scotland most definitely does not fall short when it comes to Winter festivals and gatherings. Whether it be celebrating heroes of the country, the music, food, or the Vikings that once called this land home, Winter is the perfect time to dive into the rich and incredible history of old Caledonia.