Press release -
Ho Ho Holidays are coming with Scotland’s Winter Festivals
Between raising the roof on St Andrew’s Day (30 November) for Scotland’s patron saint, and raising a dram in honour of the Bard on Burns Night (25 January) - with the world-famous Hogmanay celebrations in between - it’s fair to say that Scotland does a celebration well. Revellers are invited to get into the festive spirit and join Scotland’s Winter Festivals, taking place throughout the country.
St Andrew’s Day – 30 November 2017
Oban Winter Festival A ten day festival featuring St Andrew’s Day celebrations, markets, parades, fireworks, street entertainers, fairgrounds, family events, pipe bands, ceilidhs, whisky tasting, and so much more.
Where: Oban
When: 17-26 November 2017
Glasgow's St Andrew's Day Torchlight Parade Community torchlight procession through the streets of Glasgow’s west end to mark Scotland’s Patron Saint Day, with pipe bands, samba drummers and fire performers.
Where: St Andrews
When: 30 November 2017
St Andrew’s Day: At the Ends of the Earth A range of events on offer in the daytime including market stalls, lantern making workshops and circus skills workshops. In the evening, there will be an outdoor ceilidh followed by a lantern procession. The celebrations will culminate in a spectacular fire show with a magical firework display at the town’s ancient Harbour.
Where: St Andrews
When: 2 December 2017
The Saltire Festival The Saltire Festival is an annual celebration of St. Andrew’s Day, bringing together the very best of Scotland in East Lothian, known as the place where the original Scottish saltire - the white diagonal cross on a sky blue background - was first adopted. Visitors can discover all that Scotland has to offer; the beautiful outdoors and stunning coastal landscape, delicious food & drink, created with the finest local produce, a long history and fascinating heritage, and hugely entertaining music, arts and comedy.
Where: East Lothian
When: 30 November - 3 December 2017
illumination: Harbour Festival of Light Irvine’s historic waterfront will twinkle with lights this St Andrew’s Day as the Scottish Maritime Museum’s award-winning four day winter spectacular, illumination: Harbour Festival of Light, returns with even more sparkle. Festival highlights include the jaw-dropping illumination Light, Fire and Aerial Art Spectacular in and around the vast Linthouse, the Light Trail, lantern parade, firework displays and food and craft fair.
Where: Irvine, Ayrshire
When: 30 November – 3 December
St Andrews Day Celebrations Loch Lomond ShoresA weekend of Scottish-themed celebration for St Andrews Day. Includes fireworks, music, activities, Scottish food and drink and more. Suitable for all ages.
Where: Loch Lomond
When: 2 December – 3 December
Scottish Storytelling Centre - Winter Festivals
The Scottish Storytelling Centre delivers an inclusive celebration of winter traditions, across generations, cultures and societies, from St Andrew’s Day celebrations to Burns Night.
Where: Edinburgh
When: 28 November 2017 – 27 January 2018
Night at the MuseumThe Hunterian Museum will come to life for St Andrew’s Day to celebrate forgotten histories and heritage. From Peter Pan to Outlander, modern Scottish fantasy as portrayed in literature, film and TV, provides the theme for this dazzling event. Working in partnership with the Centre for Robert Burns Studies at University of Glasgow, The Hunterian will also host a Night at the Museum event celebrating the works of the bard in translation for Burns Night 2018.
Where: Glasgow
When: 24 November 2017 – 26 January 2018
Scotland’s Winter Festivals at An Lanntair An Lanntair’s Winter Festival events begin with a full week of activities to celebrate St Andrew’s day including cinema, food and drink taster sessions, a quiz night and, of course, the best contemporary and traditional music available. We mark the New Year season with performances by ceilidh band Hò-rò and our annual showcase of local musicians Willie Campbell and Friends. The festival completes the season with a specially commissioned concert of the work of Robert Burns for string quartet.
Where: Stornoway, Isle of Lewis
When: 27 November 2017 – 27 January 2018
Christmas Markets and more…
The six-week season of festive entertainment sees market stalls and family-friendly attractions return to Princes Street Gardens and the elliptical outdoor ice rink to St Andrew Square. Ice Adventure is a brand new walk-through immersive experience; an ice museum filled with ice sculptures of Robert the Bruce, Dolly the Sheep and many others. Edinburgh’s Giant Advent Calendar is another new addition with 25 glimpses of Edinburgh winters from year gone-by projected on to Register House, with one being revealed each day. The famous La Clique is coming back home for Christmas with their international hit La Clique Nöel.
Where: Edinburgh
When: 17 November 2017-6 January 2018
Glasgow Loves Christmas sees magical events, shopping and festive fun happening in the heart of the city. Head to the Christmas Market in St Enoch Square, open until 22 December. The festive offering at George Square will be open daily from 25 November until 29 December. Enjoy the Style Mile Carnival on 26 November, Baby’s First Christmas on 2 December and the Santa Dash on 10 December.
Where: Glasgow
When: 9 November 2017 – 14 January 2018
Hogmanay Events
Edinburgh's Hogmanay Marking the start of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay will celebrate Scotland’s young citizens by giving them the limelight with the fiery finale of the popular Torchlight Procession (30 Dec), sharing with the world their #Scotword. On the night itself, the Street Party will return bigger and better than ever with Concert in the Gardens headlined by Rag ‘n’ Bone Man. Some fantastic new flavours have been added such as Bairns Afore, giving children their midnight moment early on in the evening, Ceilidh under the Castle, and Hogmanay HQ, an exclusive VIP party at Assembly Hall.
Where: Edinburgh
When: 30 December 2017 – 1 January 2018
Hogmanay in the Honest Toun The Brunton, Musselburgh, hosts a day filled with fantastic activities for families to celebrate Hogmanay including lantern making, samba drumming, ceilidh swinging, storytelling, puppet theatre, pantomime and an early evening free Lantern Parade with spectacular free Fireworks Display at Fisherrow Links. Visitors can welcome in 2018 with Hogmania! A family friendly evening ceilidh with live music, dancing, pipers and refreshments.
Where: Musselburgh, East Lothian
When: 31 December 2017
Hogmanay 2017 with The Revellers See 2017 out in style with Shetland ‘Folk/Rock Juggernaut’ The Revellers and Friends at Mareel. See out the New Year with some of the best of Shetland’s musical talent, including The Revellers, Arthur Nicolson Band, Vair, Kansa and Hom Bru.
Where: Mareel, Shetland
When: 31 November 2017 – 1 January 2018
Stirling’s Hogmanay Stirling Council will celebrate Scotland’s Winter Festival 2017 by hosting a wide range of events that celebrate modern and traditional Scottish culture. Stirling’s largest ever Hogmanay midnight fireworks display is at the centre of the celebrations. A time to meet with family and friends and bring in the bells in Stirling style!
Where: Stirling
When: 31 December 2017
Fire and Light Illuminate and energize your New Year celebrations with Fire and Light, a walk with a difference. Get wrapped up with friends and family for a walk to take in the night air and explore some spectacular sights, including the magnificent Kelpies, illuminated and animated for this special occasion.
Where: Helix Park, Falkirk
When: 1-2 January 2018
Burns Night Events
Big Burns Supper Big Burns Supper is Scotland’s landmark Burns Night event which takes place in Dumfries and features a heady mixture of cabaret, comedy, music and entertainment in over 30 different venues as the town goes bonkers for 11 days of winter magic.
Where: Dumfries
When: 18-28 January 2018
Burns Unbound With a packed programme of creative activities and performances, bairns and big yins alike will find plenty to enjoy at the day-long celebration of the poetry and legacy of Robert Burns. Wear your favourite tartan, experience live Scottish music, discover some braw Burns poetry and get creative at our craft stations.
Where: National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh
When: 21 January 2018
Big Burns Stramash The Big Burns Stramash 2018 is all about young people; comprising of a variety of different events to suit those from toddlers to those who are very nearly grown-ups, getting the national Year of Young People off to a bang in the Highlands!
Where: Inverness
When: 25-27 January 2018
Red, Red Rose Street A festival of Burns’ music and words expanding the traditional Burns Night into a three day long celebration of the work of the world-renowned Scottish Bard.
Where: Edinburgh
When: 25-28 January 2018
Burns' Birthday in Mauchline Burns’ Birthday in Mauchline, organised by East Ayrshire Leisure, invites residents of Ayrshire and visitors to the region to embrace all aspects of traditional and contemporary arts, by offering opportunities for involvement in a celebration of the work of Burns, with particular reference to Mauchline.
Where: Mauchline, East Ayrshire
When: 27-28 January 2018
Burns Unbroke Burns Unbroke is a new contemporary multi-arts festival, offering interpretations of the work of Robert Burns. The project‘s innovative visual arts programme features over 30 artists and includes newly commissioned work by four Scottish based artists. The focused programme of events includes an Alternative Burns Night, spoken word performances, children’s performances and a tailor made programme of music.
Where: Edinbrugh
When: 25 January-10 March 2018
Burns Alicht Journey this Burns season into Burns Alicht, a unique sparkling birthplace tour in celebration of Scotland’s poet Robert Burns. Discover special illuminations, become enchanted by mischievous sights, sounds and entertainment and delight in landmarks coming alive.
Where: South Ayrshire
When: 27 January 2018
Perth Riverside Light Nights - Burns Night Perth’s Riverside Light Nights will tell the story of how Robert Burns started his life as a poor tenant farmer, and through channelling his intellectual energy into poetry became one of the most famous characters of Scotland’s cultural history. With stunning lighting, music, street theatre, dance and folklore the life and work of Robert Burns will be portrayed.
Where: Perth
When: 27-28 January 2018
See visitscotland.com for more detail on Christmas and winter events in Scotland.
For further information, please get in touch with:
Laura Mitchell
Assistant PR Manager
Tel: (0131) 472 2043
laura.mitchell@visitscotland.com
Topics
- Tourism
Regions
- Scotland
Notes to Editors
About VisitScotland
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- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, for tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
St Andrew’s Day
- 1.St Andrew is the patron saint of Scotland. A Galilean fisherman, he became an apostle of Jesus, and was known for being strong, sociable and fair, encouraging people to share what they had with those in need.
- 2.Originally St Andrew’s Day was a way for homesick Scots to get together and celebrate their shared ancestral roots. The official national day began in America on 30 November 1729 to offer support to Scottish migrants in distress.
- 3.Today St Andrew’s Day presents a powerful opportunity for Scots to keep the spirit of St Andrew alive, by coming together and helping others within their community.
- 4.There are many ways to get involved and celebrate Scotland’s cultural strengths and core values this St Andrew’s Day. A wide range of events will take place across Scotland from Friday 17th November until 3rd December and full details of these and ways to support local communities will be shared on www.scotland.org from early November.
- 5.Wherever you are in the world, you can join Scotland in celebrating St Andrew’s Day – from the United States and Canada to Australia, from Beijing to Bangladesh. Those who want to learn more about the traditional celebrations are encouraged to visit scotland.org
- 6.The Scotland’s Winter Festivals event fund is managed by EventScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Hogmanay
- 1.Scotland is world-renowned as the home of Hogmanay, celebrated on 31 December. Fire festivals, torchlight processions, street parties, live music and fireworks and a friendly welcome to all, really make Scotland the best place in the world to see in the New Year.
- 2.Scotland boasts a wide variety of Hogmanay celebrations, from large scale events such as Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, which attracted over 140,000 visitors last year from over 70 countries to smaller, regional gatherings.
- 3.Scotland is renowned for its Hogmanay traditions with people celebrating in pubs, clubs and village halls across the country or hosting their own events at home which embrace tradition - first footers bringing coal, or sharing a dram with friends at midnight.
- 4.You can find everything you need to know about Scotland’s Hogmanay events and celebrations at scotland.org
- 5.The Scotland’s Winter Festivals event fund is managed by EventScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
Burns Night
- 1.Burns, our national bard, is one of Scotland’s favourite icons encapsulating the very essence that makes Scots Scottish – creative, proud and confident.
- 2.Robert Burns, or ‘Rabbie’ as he is affectionately known, was born in Alloway, South Ayrshire, in 1759. He began writing poetry and songs at an early age and became famous across Scotland for his writings.
- 3.After his death at the age of just 37, Rabbie’s works became internationally renowned and to this day, people from all corners of the world sing ‘Auld Lang Syne’ to bring in the New Year.
- 4.Every year Scots and Scots are heart from across the global celebrate Burns’ birthday, 25th January, to end the Winter Festival period. This national day has always been steeped in tradition and valued as a natural way of feeling truly Scottish by celebrating Burns’ life and cultural legacy by coming together with friends or family and partake in a Burns Supper.
- 5.A Burns Supper is often an engaging spectacle. The haggis is traditionally piped in to dinner and then specifically addressed in poetry. Further poems including ‘A Toast to the Lassies’ are exchanged by dinner guests with accompanying drams of whisky, however there are many modern variations and twists on these traditions that befits Scotland, a country that champions fairness, equality and inclusivity.
- 6.Learn more about Robert Burns himself and how to hold your own modern Burns Supper as well as the meaning behind some of his most famous words and phrases by visiting scotland.org.
- 7.The Scotland’s Winter Festivals event fund is managed by EventScotland on behalf of the Scottish Government.
