Part of our Taxi transfers from Edinburgh Airport to popular destinations guide
Quick answer
Beyond Edinburgh's own market (14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027), the easiest Christmas market day trips are Glasgow (St Enoch from 6 Nov, Glasgow Green from 20 Nov, about 1 hour away), Perth (20–22 Nov, about 1 hour) and Blair Castle's Christmas Fair (20–22 Nov). Aberdeen's Christmas Village runs from 12 Nov to 3 Jan, about 2½ hours away.
Scotland's Christmas markets 2026 within a day trip of Edinburgh
| Market | Dates 2026 | Approx. drive from Edinburgh |
|---|---|---|
| Edinburgh's Christmas, Princes Street Gardens | 14 Nov – 3 Jan (closed 25 Dec) | In the city |
| Winter Wonderland at St Enoch, Glasgow | 6 Nov – 27 Dec (closed 25 Dec) | About 1 hour |
| Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green | 20 Nov – 3 Jan (closed 25 Dec) | About 1 hour |
| Perth Christmas Market | 20 – 22 Nov | About 1 hour |
| Christmas Fair at Blair Castle | 20 – 22 Nov, 10am – 4pm | About 1 hr 40 min |
| Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival | 5 – 6 Dec, 10am – 5pm | About 1 hr 15 min |
| Pitlochry Christmas Market | 12 Dec | About 1 hr 30 min |
| Aberdeen Christmas Village, Broad Street | 12 Nov – 3 Jan (closed 25–26 Dec, 1 Jan) | About 2 hrs 30 min |
Dates as published by the organisers and listings sites in October 2026. Stirling and Dundee had not confirmed 2026 market dates when we checked. Drive times are typical and longer in bad weather.
Glasgow: two winter markets
Glasgow splits its Christmas markets across two free-entry sites. St Enoch in the city centre has the market stalls from 6 November to 27 December, close to the shops on Buchanan Street and Argyle Street. Glasgow Green has the ice rink, big wheel, funfair and Santa's grotto from 20 November to 3 January. Both are closed on Christmas Day.
Perthshire: castle fairs and a small-town market
For something calmer than the city markets, Perthshire has three good options. Perth Christmas Market runs in the city centre over the weekend of 20–22 November. The same weekend, Blair Castle near Blair Atholl holds its Christmas Fair from 10am to 4pm. Pitlochry's one-day market is on 12 December. A loop from Edinburgh to Blair Castle and back via Pitlochry makes a relaxed day out.
Aberdeen Christmas Village
Aberdeen's Christmas Village on Broad Street has market stalls, an outdoor ice rink, rides and food pop-ups from 12 November to 3 January. It is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. It is a long day trip from Edinburgh, so it works best as an overnight stay or with a driver so nobody has to drive back in the dark.
Loch Lomond Shores
On 5–6 December, Loch Lomond Shores in Balloch holds a Christmas festival from 10am to 5pm. Combine it with a walk by the loch for a winter day out in the countryside.
Tips for a market day trip
- Go on a weekday if you can: weekend afternoons in December are very busy everywhere.
- Daylight is short. In December it is dark by about 4pm, so plan scenic stops for the morning.
- Let someone else drive. Parking near the markets is limited and expensive, and a mulled wine or two is part of the fun.
We run private day trips from Edinburgh with a local driver who waits while you browse, and city-to-city transfers to Glasgow, Perth and Aberdeen at a fixed price.
Frequently asked questions
When does the Glasgow Christmas market open in 2026?
Winter Wonderland at St Enoch opens on 6 November 2026 and runs until 27 December. Winter Wonderland at Glasgow Green, with the ice rink and funfair, runs from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Both are closed on Christmas Day.
Which Christmas markets can I visit on a day trip from Edinburgh?
Glasgow (about 1 hour), Perth (about 1 hour), Blair Castle and Pitlochry in Perthshire (about 1½ hours) and Loch Lomond Shores (about 1¼ hours) are all easy day trips. Aberdeen is about 2½ hours away each way.
When is Aberdeen Christmas Village 2026?
From 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 on Broad Street. It is closed on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day.
Sources
Facts, fares and timetables checked 26 October 2026. They change, so check with the operator before you travel.