Posted 2 hours ago
Wed 26 Nov, 2025 12:11 PM
With the exam period, end of semester and the Winter vacation all on the way, December is certainly shaping up to be a busy one! That, however, doesn't mean that you shouldn't take a bit of time away from the books and the shopping to enjoy some of the great activities and events going on around town.
December's What's On has a distinctly festive flavour as we focus on some of the Christmas and New Year-themed events that will be taking place. We've also got lots of great bands visiting the city this month so there should be something for everyone!
Remember to keep an eye on UofGLiving Events for events in the residences and the My SRC App and University of Glasgow Events for everything around campus.
You'll also find out more about the latest shows and events on sites like What's On Glasgow, Visit Glasgow and Glasgow Life.
Christmas/Festive
At the University
Madrigirls 'Carol we now' (University Memorial Chapel, 30 November)
The much-loved annual Madrigirls concert of music and readings for Advent is back for 2025!
Advent Carol Service (University Memorial Chapel, 2 December)
Mark the start of Advent with a special carol service from the UofG Chaplaincy.
CinemARC - Print to Screen at the Winter Warmer (Advanced Research Centre [ARC], 5 December)
A very special event featuring screenings of both the Snowman (1982), Mog's Christmas (2003) and a fascinating presentation form Scotland's Printing Heritage about the possible Scottish origins of the Christmas card!
University Service of Nine Lessons and Carols (University Memorial Chapel, 7 December)
Join the University Chaplains for a traditional service of readings and carols.
In the city
Glasgow’s Christmas Lighting Trail (City Center, 20 November 2025 to 3 January 2026)
Follow the route and check out Glasgow's festive illuminations!
Glasgow Winter Wonderland (Glasgow Green and St. Enoch's Square, 21 November 2025 - 4 January 2026)
Get in to the festive spirit as Glasgow Green and St.Enoch Square are transformed into a winter wonderland with lights, ice skating, fairground rides, food and artisan gift stalls🎄
Glasgow Christmas Markets (St.Enoch Square, 6 November 2025 - 5 January 2026)
Over 50 stalls featuring food and drinks from around the world, arts and crafts, jewellery and much more. There’s also a bar, live music, and a Santa’s train🎅🏻
The Little Mermaid (Kings Theatre, 22 November 2025 - 4 January 2026)
Get along and experience the ‘peculiarly British’ Christmas tradition that is Pantomime with The Little Mermaid at the Kings. It's part theatre, part musical, part slapstick comedy so you’ve got to experience it to believe it!
Clydeside Christmas Village (28 November 2025 - 4 January 2026)
If you like ice skating, festive food and drink and funfair rides then don't miss the special Christmas Village just 20 minutes along the road from Partick!
Deck The Halls Show (SEC, 28 - 30 November)
Grab a great gift at the special three-day Christmas shopping event brought to you by the National Trust for Scotland.
The Christmas Concert on behalf of Cancer Research UK (Glasgow Cathedral, 4 December)
Glasgow's stunning Cathedral hosts a very special concert featuring Music, Song and Readings all in aid of Cancer Research.
Scottish Chamber Orchestra: The Nutcracker (Glasgow City Halls, 5 December)
Hear the Scottish Chamber Orchestra perform Tchaikovsky’s festive masterpiece, The Nutcracker.
Riverside Museum Christmas Market (Riverside Museum, 6 and 7 December)
Find unique gifts, food, art and jewellery every Saturday and Sunday until Christmas in the stunning surroundings of Merchant Square.
Dockyard Social Christmas Market (7 and 21 December)
Located just minutes from our Kelvinhaugh Residences, The Dockyard Social will be hosting their Christmas Markets on the 7th and 21st.
Glasgow’s Santa Dash (Glasgow Green, 7 December)
The annual Glasgow Santa Dash, which sees thousands of Santa's pounding through the streets of Glasgow, is back for 2025 and all in aid of the brilliant Beatson Cancer Charity.
Mór Festive Christmas Market & Jingles (Òran Mór, 7 December)
Fancy perusing gifts from local vendors whilst munching Yorkshire Pudding Turkey Wraps and sipping mulled wine? Look no further than Òran Mór, Byres Road on the 7th!
Love Actually: The Film With Live Orchestra (Royal Concert Hall, 8 December)
Check out Richard Curtis' 2003 cult Christmas favourite, Love Actually, with the backing of a live orchestra!
RSNO: Home Alone in Concert (Royal Concert Hall, 13 December)
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra (RSNO) perform the John Williams score from one of the best-ever Christmas movies, Home Alone.
Christmas movie fans will also be delighted to hear that the RSNO will also be performing music from another Christmas classic, The Snowman, on the 20th of the month!
Christmas Classics with BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra (City Halls, 18 December)
What's your favourite Christmas song? Head over the City halls and hear the BBC Scottish Symphony orchestra taking on some of the world's best loved carols and festive hits.
Handel's Messiah by the Dunedin Concert (St Aloysius Church, 19 December)
Join the outstanding Dunedin Concert as they perform Handel's festive masterpiece, the Messiah.
IRN-BRU Carnival (SEC, 19 December 2025 to 11 January 2026)
Something of a Glasgow institution, the Irn-Bru Carnival is back for the festive period with funfair rides, attractions, stalls and much more!
Christmas at the Movies (City Halls, 20 December)
After taking on the Christmas Classics, the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra will be playing some of the festive favourites from Hollywood's most famous Christmas movies.
Music
Mumford and Sons (OVO Hydro, 2 December)
Marcus Mumford's folk-rock trio will be visiting the Hydro to play songs from their recent album Rushmere.
Jamiroquai (OVO Hydro, 3 December)
The cat in the hat is back! Jay Kay and Jamiroquai will will be bringing some massive hits and elaborate headwear to the Hydro on the 3rd.
Alabama 3 (SWG3, 4 December)
26 years after the release of their song "Woke Up This Morning", which became the theme song of the unforgettable Sopranos TV series, Alabama 3 will be rocking the West End on the 4th.
Pete Tong (OVO Hydro, 4 December)
It's all going a bit 'Pete Tong' at the Hydro as the Superstar DJ brings his Ibiza Classics show to town.
Twin Atlantic (Barrowlands, 4 December)
The Scottish rockers are coming home to help celebrate the 10 Year Anniversary of their best-selling Great Divide album.
Jools Holland (SEC Armadillo, 5 and 6 December)
Musician, TV star and all-round national treasure, Jools Holland will be joined by his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra at the SEC on part of their Autumn/Winter tour.
Madness (OVO Hydro, 6 December)
Go 'One Step Beyond' with Suggs and his legendary Ska band!
Idlewild (Barrowlands, 7 December)
The indoor-rock cult favourites are recently returned with a new album and they'll be playing it to the Barrowlands on the 7th.
Stereophonics (OVO Hydro, 10 December)
Expect some real classics from the Welsh rock legends as they promise 'No Hit Left Behind' in their Winter Arena Tour.
Amy MacDonald (OVO Hydro, 11 and 12 December)
Bishopbriggs' finest musical export since Jack Bruce of Cream, Amy MacDonald will be in town for a special two night run at the Hydro.
Black Rebel Motorcycle Club (O2 Academy, 11 December)
Whatever happened to my rock n' roll? Find out as the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club stop by the O2.
The Charlatans (Barrowlands, 12 December)
Only weeks after playing a special launch event for their new album 'We Are Love' in Òran Mór, the Indie Icons will be returning to the city, this time to the Barrowland Ballroom.
GUN (Barrowlands, 13 December)
Scottish Rock Legends GUN will make a triumphant return to the Barrowlands as they perform tracks from their latest album, Hombres.
Del Amitri (Barrowlands, 23 December)
Roll to the Barrowlands on the 22nd to catch up with 90's alternative rock stars and Glasgow's very own Del Amitri.
New Year/Hogmanay
The Stand Hogmanay Special (The Stand Comedy Club, 27 - 31 December)
If you fancy bringing in the new year with a laugh, the Stand Comedy Club is the place for you! Even better, it's located on Woodlands Road, just across from the St. Andrew's Building.
Ashton Lane Hogmanay Street Party (Ashton Lane, 31 December)
One of the hottest tickets in the West End this new year, there's going to be live music, great food and access to Ashton Lane's brilliant bars and restaurants including Brel, Vodka Wodka and the Ubiquitous Chip.
The Hogmanay Ceilidh (The Ferry, 31 December)
Bring in the bells in traditional Scottish style with a ceilidh on the River Clyde in the iconic Ferry.
