Events and festivals in Scotland calendar: a complete guide to what’s on in 2025/2026

Looking for a Scotland Events & Festivals Calendar 2025/26? Here is my guide to what’s on in Scotland!

From Viking fire processions in January to bouncing summer music festivals to epic Hogmanay street parties in December, Scotland’s cultural calendar is full all year round.

Here’s your month-by-month guide to whats on in Scotland in 2025 and 2026 and the top Scottish festivals and events worth planning for. Updated daily so bookmark to keep up to date!

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Jump to Month 2025: Christmas 2025 events and markets | more events in November 2025 | Hogmanay and other events in December 2025

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Jump to Month 2026: January 2026 | February 2026 | March 2026 | April 2026 | May 2026 | June 2026 | July 2026 | August 2026 | September 2026 | October 2026 | Halloween Events | for November 2026 and December 2026 – see the guide to 2025.

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More upcoming major events in 2026

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Please get in touch if you have a festival or event you would like added to the calendar, have a confimed date, or further visitor information.

How to use the Scotland events calender

• The Scotland event’s calender sets out all the events in Scotland, month by month.
• Events are listed by the earliest date they start, and may run over a few days or weeks.
• Each event has a link for more information, and where available, the next date for the festival.

Christmas events and markets in Scotland 2025

• Edinburgh – East Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market, Edinburgh (15 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026) Edinburgh. Wooden stalls with Scottish & European crafters, Big Wheel, festive food & drink, Santa’s Stories in St Andrew Square.
• Edinburgh – West Princes Street Gardens Family Funfair, Edinburgh (15 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026) Edinburgh. Free-entry funfair rides, festive warming zones, live choirs on Ross Bandstand.
• Edinburgh – Christmas at the Botanics (selected evenings 20 Nov–30 Dec 2025) Dates/ticketing confirmed. Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
• Glasgow – Clydeside Christmas Village (28 Nov 2025 – 4 Jan 2026) – Glasgow (South Street, near Partick Station) – a brand‑new free festive outdoor village on the banks of the Clyde, with an undercover ice‑rink, funfair rides, food stalls, live entertainment & Santa. Visit Clydeside Christmas Village.
• Glasgow – Jingle Bell‑a‑houston Christmas Market (13 December 2025) at Bellahouston Sports Centre in Glasgow. A large indoor market featuring thousands of bargains, stalls, live music and a visit from Santa. Visit Jingle Bell‑a‑houston Christmas Market
• Dundee – Christmas in the Square (4 – 31 Dec 2025) – Winter wonderland event including traditional market stalls, street food, fairground rides and live music. Visit dundee.com
• Dundee – Christmas Market at The Yard (Multiple dates including Sat 15 Nov, Fri 6 Dec, Sat 20 Dec 2025). Market of makers, crafters, food trucks and festive music; includes “Mini Market” variants. Visit The Yard Events.
• Dundee – Christmas Market at The McManus (Sat 22 Nov & Sun 23 Nov 2025) Over 20 artisan stalls from Dundee, Fife, Perthshire & Angus; family-friendly crafts & storytelling sessions. Visit Dundee Heritage Trust.
• Stritling – Christmas Shopping Fair at Stirling Castle (2 Dec 2025) Evening fair with local Scottish brand stalls, crafts, food & drink, brass band, mince pies & mulled wine. Find out more.
• Stirling – Christmas Market at Albert Halls (Sat 29 Nov – Sun 30 Nov 2025) Indoor market with crafts, gifts, art, ceramics, food & drink; adult entry £5. Stirling Events
• Stirling – Thistles Indoor Christmas Market (Fri 5 Dec – Sun 14 Dec 2025) Makers, food producers and entrepreneurs in festive indoor market setting. Visit shsevents.co.uk
• Balloch – Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival (6‑7 December 2025) at Loch Lomond Shores (Highlands/loch area). Features market stalls, festive rides, live performances and Santa’s grotto. Visit Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival
• Perth – Christmas Market in Perth City Centre (Fri 21 Nov – Sun 23 Nov 2025) Local craft gifts, food & festive treats; part of Perth’s winter events programme. Visit pkc.gov.uk
• Oban – Oban Winter Festival (14th Nov – 21st Dec 2025) – a community-driven Highland celebration. Find out more – Oban Winter Festival
• Dumfries & Galloway – Drumlanrig Castle, Queensberry Estate (Sat 6 Dec & Sun 7 Dec 2025) – heated marquee market in scenic estate gardens, local food & drinks, crafts, Santa’s grotto, marshmallow station; charity fundraiser. Visit Drumlanrig Castle.

Scotland festivals in January 2026

• Loony Dook (Nationwide, 1 January 2026) – one of the most unique festivals in Scotland, brave locals (and visitors) take a plunge into icy waters wearing fancy dress. The most famous dip is at South Queensferry near Edinburgh.
• Celtic Connections (Glasgow, 15 Jan – 1 Feb 2026) – a world-class folk and roots music festival in Scotland with concerts, ceilidhs, and late-night sessions. Find out more – Celtic Connections

• Up Helly Aa (Lerwick, Shetland, Tue 27 Jan 2026) – did you know that Scotland has viking festivals? Up Helly Aa is the most famous and features torchlit processions and the burning of a galley ship. One to book way in advance! Find out more – Up Helly Aa

Whats on in Scotland in February 2026

• Fort William Mountain Festival (12–14 Feb 2026) – films, lectures, and guided walks celebrating mountain culture. Find out more – Fort William Mountain Festival
• Scottish Snowdrop Festival (Nationwide, 11 February until Sunday 15 February 2026) – discover carpets of Snowdrops at Branklyn Gardens, Perth and stately homes across the country. Find out more – Scottish Snowdrop Festival
• Glasgow Film Festival (Glasgow, 25 Feb – 8 Mar 2026) – international and indie cinema with screenings across the city. Find out more – Glasgow Film Festival
• Scottish Festival of Real Bread, Fife (26-28 Feb 2026) – celebrating local grain and slow fermentation, this food festival is held in the middle of February at Bowhouse in the East Neuk of Fife, find out more at Bowhouse. The Scottish Bread Championship (27 Feb 2026) is also held at Bowhouse as part of Real Bread Week.
• Fife Whisky Festival (Cupar, 27 Feb – 1 Mar 2026) – a small yet mighty Scottish whisky festival perfect for whisky aficionados seeking intimate tastings. Tickets.

Scotland events and festivals in March 2026

• Whuppity Scoorie (Lanark, 1 March) – children welcome spring by racing around the church with paper balls. Find out more – Whuppity Scoorie
• StAnza Poetry Festival (St Andrews, 13–15 Mar 2026) – Scotland’s premier poetry gathering. Find out more – StAnza Poetry Festival
• Glasgow International Comedy Festival (11–29 Mar 2026) – a city-wide celebration of stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy. Find out more Glasgow International Comedy Festival
• Caithness International Science Festival (date TBC) – family-friendly events inspiring curiosity in science. Find out more – Caithness International Science Festival
• C2C: Country to Country (Glasgow, 13–15 Mar 2026) – Europe’s biggest country music festival at the OVO Hydro. Find out more – c2c-countrytocountry.com
• Aberdeen Jazz Festival (12–23 Mar 2026) – ten days of gigs, workshops, and jam sessions. Find out more – Aberdeen Jazz Festival.
• National Lottery Open Week (date TBC) – National Lottery Open Week offers free entry, discounts and special offers at National Lottery funded places across Scotland – including castles, gardens and museums – and even zoos! Find out more – National Lottery Open Week.
• Go on a Easter Egg hunt (date TBC)– the National Trust for Scotland hosts Easter Egg trails right across Scotland, from egg hunting at Craigievar Castle in Aberdeenshire to Culzean Castle in Ayrshire. You can find the nearest egg hunt to you on the National Trust for Scotland‘s website.
• Scotland’s Daffodil Festival (date TBC) – home to a national collection of Narcissus (daffodils) the Backhouse Rossie Estate in Cupar Fife hosts Scotland’s Daffodil Festival on the 13/14 April. £5.50 for adults, more info and tickets. You can also visit Brodie Castle and Estate which is home to the National Daffodil Collection, with around 400 varieties.
• St Andrews Cocktail Week, Fife (date TBC) – a city-wide ‘wristband’ cocktail festival with deals on cocktails and mixology masterclasses.

Scotland festivals in April 2026

• Edinburgh Science Festival (4–19 Apr 2026) – exhibits, talks, and workshops for all ages. Find out more – Edinburgh Science Festival
• Terminal V Festival (18-19 April 2026) at the Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh (electronic / dance). Tickets.
• Mull Music Festival (Isle of Mull, Tobermory/Dervaig, 23–26 Apr 2026) – free live music filling Tobermory’s pubs and halls. Find out more – Mull Music Festival
• Cycle the Etape Loch Ness (26th April 2026) – love to ride, well this 66 mile cycle around Loch Ness on the 26th April will be right up you street. Book your place at Etape Loch Ness.
• Nuart Aberdeen (23–26 Apr 2026) – probably the best street art festival in Scotland taking place across the city. Find out more – Nuart Aberdeen

• Beltane Fire Festival (Edinburgh, 30 April) – a fiery reinterpretation of ancient Celtic rites—drums, dancing, and sparks flying. Find out more – Beltane Fire Festival
• The Pomegranates Festival (Edinburgh, date TBC) – a traditional dance meets music, film, and heritage crafts. Find out more – The Pomegranates Festival
• Glasgow Coffee Festival (date TBC) – celebrating everything about coffee including demos, sampling and awards. Find out more – Glasgow Coffee Festival
• Scottish Vegan Festival, Edinburgh (date TBC) – for plant-based diners, this vegan festival is held at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh, discover more at scottishveganfestival.com
• Paisley Food & Drink Festival (date TBC) – a two-day street-food + producers, great for foodie families, all held around Paisley Abbey. Find out more – Paisley Food & Drink Festival

Whats on in Scotland in May 2026

• The Highland Games Season Begins – watch caber-tossing, dancing, and pipe bands at village gatherings. Highland Games are located across the Highlands (e.g., Gourock 10 May; Atholl 24 May; Luss, Forres 4 July; Stirling Highland Games 15 Aug)
• Culture Night Stirling 2026 (1 May 2026) – a new annual event celebrating the best of Stirling’s music, dance, comedy, art, crafts, literature and more. Find out more at Culture Night Stirling 2026.
• The Arran Rock ‘N’ Blues Festival (Brodick, 1st to 3rd May 2026) – a music festival in Brodick on the lovely Isle of Arran. Find out more here – The Arran Rock ‘N’ Blues Festival
• Shetland Folk Festival (Thursday 30th April and Sunday 3rd May 2026) – world-renowned music sessions on Shetland. Find out more – Shetland Folk Festival
• Bonfest (1-3 May 2026) in Kirriemuir, near Dundee. Annual celebration honouring the legendary Bon Scott, the iconic frontman of AC/DC. Tickets.

• Muck n Mac Fest (Tweed Valley 1 -3 May 2026) – celebrate the popular sport of gravel bike riding with this cycling event. Find out more – Muck n Mac Fest.
• Girvan Traditional Folk Festival (Ayrshire, 1–3 May 2026) – a celebration of folk music in South West Scotland. Find out more here – Girvan Traditional Folk Festival.
• TradFest Edinburgh (Edinburgh 1–11 May 2026) – traditional music festival in Edinburgh accross multiple venues – Queen’s Hall, Traverse Theatre, Scottish Storytelling Centre and The Cameo. Find out more at Edinburgh Tradfest.
• Edinburgh Tartan Parade (9 May 2026) – the inaugural Tartan Parade took place in May 2025, and it will be back for 2026. Find out more here – Edinburgh Tartan Parade.
• Orkney Nature Festival (11–17 May 2026) – celebrate Orkney’s wildlife with watching experiences and events. Orkney Nature Festival
• The Gralloch (15-17 May 2026) – a gravel bike festival in Scotland and Britain’s first UCI Gravel World Series event. Find out more – The Gralloch.
• Arran Mountain Festival (15–18 May 2026) – guided hikes and mountain culture on the Isle of Arran. Find out more – Arran Mountain Festival.
• Orkney Folk Festival (21 to 24 May 2026) – a world-class showcase of folk music. Find out more – Orkney Folk Festival:
• Knockengorroch Festival (Galloway, 21–24 May 2026) — truly off-grid valley gathering: (note: organisers flagged financial pressure in 2025) – tickets Knockengorroch Festival
• Edinburgh Marathon Festival (Edinburgh, 23–24 May 2026) – Scotland’s biggest running weekend (10k/5k/juniors on Sat; half, full & relay on Sun). Find out more – Edinburgh Marathon
• Edinburgh International Children’s Festival: (30 May-7 June 2026) – theatre, dance, and storytelling for younger audiences. Find out more – Edinburgh International Children’s Festival
• Spring Fling (23–25 May 2026) – art studios open their doors to visitors across Dumfries and Galloway. Find out more here – Spring Fling
• Perth Arts Festival (21–30 May 2026) – music, comedy, drama and dance in venues across Perth. Find out more here – Perth Arts Festival

• Scottish Wild Food Festival (Loch Lomond, date TBC) – a gathering and celebration of wild food and foraging in Scotland. Find out more here – Scottish Wild Food Festival
• Melrose Sevens Rugby Tournament (date TBC) – the birthplace of rugby sevens. Find out more – Melrose Sevens Rugby Tournament
• Jim Clark Rally (Duns, date TBC) – a loud and exciting motorcar rally in the Scottish Borders. Find out more here – Jim Clark Rally
• Taste of Nairn, Moray (date TBC)– a town-wide food weekend including the world Tattie Scone Championships. Visit Nairn Scotland.

Festivals in June in Scotland 2026

• Glasgow International (citywide, 5–21 Jun 2026) – Scotland’s biggest contemporary art biennial. Visit glasgowinternational.org
• Arran Folk Festival (5th – 7th June 2026) – live folk festival on the Isle of Arran. Find out more – Arran Folk Festival.
• Borders Book Festival (Melrose, 11-14 June 2026) – literature meets comedy and family fun. Find out more – Borders Book Festival
• Killin Music Fest (12-14 June 2026) – celebrating Scottish music, culture, heritage in the lovely Perthshire village of Killin.

• Shetland Noir (Lerwick (Mareel), 11–14 Jun 2026) – a Scottish crime-writing festival. Find out more.
• Eden Festival (Raehills Meadows, Moffat 11–14 Jun 2026) – a 4-day indie arts and music festival in Scotland. Tickets.
• Killin Music Festival (12-14th June 2026) – community-driven folk festival celebrations. Find out more – Killin Music Festival
• CELTMAN! Extreme Triathlon (Wester Ross, 13 Jun 2026) — iconic Torridon sufferfest – get extreme.

• St Magnus International Festival (2025: 20–27 Jun; 2026 = 50th anniversary) – midsummer arts across Orkney. Find out more – St Magnus Festival.
• Glasgow Mela (Glasgow, 22 Jun 2025) – Scotland’s biggest South Asian festival in Kelvingrove Park. Find out more – Glasgow Mela
• Heartland Festival (Pitlochry 26-28 June 2026) – a family-friendly music festival in Pitlochry. Find out more – heartlandfestival.co.uk
• West End Festival (Glasgow, date TBC) – parades, music, and street arts in the city’s cultural hub. Find out more – West End Festival
• The Leith Festival (date TBC) – celebrating the community of Leith, Edinburgh. Find out more here – The Leith Festival
• Solas Festival (Perth, date TBC) – a music and arts festival in Scotland. Find out more – Solas Festival
• Meatopia Glasgow (date TBC) – a live-fire barbecue festival at SWG3, keep an eye on their website for a return in 2026.
• Glasgow Real Ale Festival (date TBC) — featuring over 130 different real ales, ciders and foreign beers, including a selection of gluten free and vegan friendly beers at The Briggait. Find out more g-raf.camra.org.uk

Events in Scotland in July 2026

• The East Neuk Festival (1–5 Jul 2026) – a classical music festival in the beautiful East Neuk. Find out more – The East Neuk Festival
• Kelburn Garden Party (2-6 July 2026, Ayrshire) – an eccentric music festival at a painted castle. Find out more – Kelburn Garden Party
• Doof in the Park 2026 (Saturday 4 July 2026, Camperdown Park Dundee) – Second edition of the electronic dance music festival in Dundee; initial lineup announced (e.g., Paul van Dyk among others) and full details rolling out. Find out more – Doof in the Park.
• TRNSMT (Glasgow, 10–12 July 2026) – Scotland’s biggest rock and pop festival. Find out more – TRNSMT
• Stonehaven Folk Festival (10-12 July 2026) – traditional and contemporary folk festival. Find out more – Stonehaven Folk Festival
• Newton Stewart & Minnigaff Traditional Music & Dance Festival (10–12 Jul 2026) – folk at its finest. Find out more – Newton Stewart Festival
• Tiree Music Festival (Isle of Tiree, 10–12 Jul 2026) – a beachside, family-friendly gem. Find out more – Tiree Music Festival
• Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival (Edinburgh, 10–19 Jul 2026) – 100+ gigs across the city as part of the biggest jazz festival in Scotland. How to Jam – ejbf.co.uk/
• Inverness Highland Games (11 July 2026) – traditional athletics with global flair. Find out more – Inverness Highland Games

• Sound of Iona Music Festival (Iona, 17–18 Jul 2026) – a tiny, magical island weekender – Tickets.
• Crail Festival (Crail, 22 Jul – 1 Aug 2026) – a community arts in the East Neuk.
• Discovery Festival (Dundee, 24–26 July 2026) – music festival in Slessor Gardens.
• Speyfest (24-26 July 2026) – taditional Scottish Music Festival in Speyside. Find out more – Speyfest
• Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival (Inverness, 30th July – 1st August 2026) – a brilliant Scottish music festival. Find out more here – Belladrum Tartan Heart Festival
• Taste Scotland Food Festival, Dunfermline (date TBC) – street food and live music in the lovely Pittencrieff Park in Dunfermline.
• Glasgow Pride March (date TBC) – Scotland’s largest LGBTQ+ celebration. Find out more Glasgow Pride March
• Merchant City Festival (Glasgow, TBC) – outdoor arts, music, circus and family events during Fair Fortnight.
• Falkirk Food & Drink Weekend (date TBC)– local food and drink festival held at The Helix, by The Kelpies.
• Edinburgh Food Festival (date TBC) – chef demos and artisan stalls in George Square Gardens.

August 2026 festivals in Scotland

• Edinburgh International Festival (7–30 Aug 2026) – world famous opera, theatre, dance, and classical music. Find out more – Edinburgh International Festival

• Fringe by the Sea (31st July – 9 August 2026) – don’t call this festival an offshoot of the Edinburgh Festival, it is a special little festival in Scotland all of its own! Find out more – Fringe by the Sea.
• Perth Highland Games 2026 (9 August 2026) – Perth (North Inch) – the date is now confirmed for this classic Highland Games event.
• Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo (A Call to Gather” — 7–29 Aug 2026) – bagpipes, marching bands, and fireworks at the castle. Find out more – Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
• Edinburgh International Book Festival (Edinburgh, Aug each year) – Scotlan’s major literary festival. Book tickets.

• Black Isle Show (Muir of Ord, preview 5 Aug & main 6 Aug 2026) – a highland agri-show institution. Find out more – blackisleshow.com
• Orkney County Show (Kirkwall, 8 Aug 2026) – the islands’ big day out, programme.
• Cowal Highland Gathering (27–29 Aug 2026, Dunoon) – one of the world’s largest Highland Games. Find out more – Cowal Highland Gathering
• Thunder in the Glens (paused for 2026) – Europe’s biggest Harley-Davidson rally. Find out more – Thunder in the Glens
• Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival (Glasgow, TBC) – global piping week ahead of the Worlds. Keep an eye on their website for 2026 dates – pipinglive.co.uk
• World Pipe Band Championships (Glasgow. mid August) – the pinnacle of piping. Find out more – World Pipe Band Championships
• Foodies Festival Edinburgh (date TBC) – brings celebrity chefs, live bands and gourmet street food. Keep an eye on their website for 2026 dates – Foodies Festival Edinburgh
• Whisky Fringe, Edinburgh (date TBC) – a celebration of whisky during the Edinburgh Festival held at Mansfield Traquair.
• Glasgow Cocktail Festival (date TBC) – a new, city-wide wristband event held at the end of August to September.

September festivals and events 2026

• Largs Viking Festival (30 Aug 2026 – 7 Sep 2026) – marking the 1263 Battle of Largs, the last mainland battle between the Scots and the Norse. Find out more – Largs Viking Festival
• Braemar Gathering (Saturday 5th September 2026) – the most famous Highland Games in Scotland attended by the Royal Family. Find out more Braemar Gathering
• International Ayr Show – Festival of Flight (Ayr, Friday 4 and Saturday 5 September 2026) – free seaside airshow at Low Green. Find out more – destinationsouthayrshire.co.uk/ayrshow
• Loch Lomond Food Festival (5th & 6th September 2026) – celebrating food and drink. Find out more – Loch Lomond Food Festival.
• Tour of the Borders (Sunday 6 Sept 2026) – a cycling sportive event in Scotland around the beautiful Scottish Borders. Find out more – Tour of the Borders
• Lammermuir Festival (East Lothian, 9 – 20 September 2026) – classical and chamber music. Keep an eye open for 2026 dates here – lammermuirfestival.co.uk
• Stranrear Oyster Festival (11-13 September 2026) – with demos, live music and the Scottish Oyster Shucking Championships. Find out more – Stranrear Oyster Festival 
• Mendelssohn on Mull Festival (13–17 September 2026) – classical chamber music in breathtaking island venues. Find out more – Mendelssohn on Mull Festival

• Salomon Skyline Scotland (Nevis Range, Fort William,Saturday 19th September 2026) – a world-class mountain and trail running event in Scotland, attracting 2,000+ participants. Find out more – Salomon Skyline Scotland.
• Gravity Beer Festival, Summerhall, Edinburgh (2026 date TBC) Craft beer festival where all your beer is included in the ticket price – visit Gravity Festival.
• Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight (2026 date TBC) – 60+ top venues, exclusive drinks, parties and cocktail experiences city-wide. Find out more – Glasgow Cocktail Fortnight.
• Doors Open Days (2026 date TBC) – free access to normally closed buildings across Scotland

• Outwith Festival (Dunfermline, 2026 date TBC) – Dunfermline’s music and arts festival, bringing five days of music, film, theatre, literature, and art, to Scotland’s newest city. Find out more outwithfestival.co.uk
• Scottish Rum Festival, Glasgow (2026 date TBC) – celebrating everything rum. Tickets.
• Smokie Fest (Arbroath, 2026 date TB5) – celebrating all things smoked fish in the seaside town of Arbroath. Find out more – Smokie Fest
• SeaFest, Peterhead (2026 date TBC) – a family friendly food festival in Scotland with seafood demos, trawlers, marketplace held in the harbour at Peterhead. More info.
• Bloody Scotland (Stirling, 2026 date TBC) – a leading crime-writing festival in Scotland. Find out more – Bloody Scotland
• Vogrie Pogrie (Vogrie Country Park, Midlothian, 2026 date TBC) – a music festival in a lovely country park. Find out more – Vogrie Pogrie
• Lochaber Live (Fort William / Highlands, 2026 date TBC) – a Scottish folk music festival. Tickets.
• Tarland Food & Music Festival, Royal Deeside (2026 date TBC – more info) – farm-to-table music celebrations.
• Orkney Food & Drink Festival (Kirkwall, 2026 date TBC) Orkney.com) – held at Kirkwall Grammar School, with celebrity chefs.
• Forest to Fork Scottish Fungi Festival, Perthshire (2026 date TBC) – mushroom foraging and retreat in Kirkmicheal. Find out more.

October 2026 events in Scotland

• Shetland Wool Week (Shetland, 2026 date tbc) – celebrating Shetland’s knitwear heritage with classes and tours. Get knitting.
• NessBookFest (Inverness, 2026 date tbc) free community lit fest. NessBookFest
• Callander Jazz & Blues Festival (2026 date tbc) – largest rural Jazz & Blues festival in Scotland. Tickets.
• Edinburgh Cocktail Week (2026 date tbc) – a city-wide £5 cocktails at Edinburgh Cocktail Week
• BOOKMARK Blairgowrie & Rattray Book Festival (Blairgowrie Community Campus, 2026 date tbc) – book festival in Blairgowrie with talks and stalls. Find out more.
• Oktoberfest (Princes Street Gardens Edinburgh, 2026 date tbc) traditional October beer festival – Tickets.
• Grassmarket Craft Beer Festival, Edinburgh (Edinburgh Old Town, 2026 date tbc) – an Ocktoberfest event with beers from top local and independent breweries – visit Grassmarket Craft Beer Festival.
• Ayrshire Real Ale Festival (Troon, 2026 date tbc) – real ale festival in Ayrshire – find out more.

• Dundee Science Centre – Autumn Adventures (2026 date tbc) – family programme over the school break. Find out more.
• Royal National Mòd (Lochaber, Glasgow, 2026 date tbc) Gaelic language & music week – Royal National Mòd
• Pitlochry Festival Theatre: Banff Mountain Film Festival (2026 date tbc) – extreme moutain films – tickets.
• Gin & Rum Festival (Assembly Rooms, Edinburgh, 2026 date tbc) two sessions, 120+ spirits; tickets now live.
• HARVEST: Contemporary Craft Fair (City Art Centre, Edinburgh, 2026 date tbc) Brand‑new Craft Scotland showcase of ~80 makers; free entry; talks programme just posted. Find out more.
• Tiree Wave Classic (Isle of Tiree,2026 date tbc) – the UK’s flagship pro-am windsurfing competition. How to watch.
• Glasgow Vegan Festival, Paisley (2026 date tbc – veganeventsuk.shop) over 60 stalls selling food catering, meat and dairy alternatives, cruelty-free beauty products, clothes and more.
• Edinburgh’s Whisky Festival, Murrayfield (2026 date tbc – slanjevents.co.uk) hundred of whiskies from around Scotland and beyond, plus demonstrations.
• Great Big Living History Week (2026 date tbc) – living‑history characters across multiple Historic Environment Scotland sites. Meet the characters.
• Comic Con Scotland (Edinburgh, 24‑25 October 2026) – one of Europe’s largest pop culture conventions, attracting tens of thousands of fans annually to the Royal Highland Centre. Find out more – Comic Con Scotland
• Stirling Science Festival (2026 date tbc) – events for families and children of all ages, many of which are free. View the programme.
• Take me Somewhere (Glasgow, 2026 date tbc) – festival dedicated to performance art. Find out more – www.takemesomewhere.co.uk.
• Loch & Land Festival (Inverness & Loch Ness, 2026 date tbc) – experiences across the region (walks, crafts, food & drink) Find out more.
• Glasgow Vegan Festival, Paisley (2026 date tbc) – veganeventsuk.shop over 60 stalls selling food catering, meat and dairy alternatives, cruelty-free beauty products, clothes and more.

• Take me Somewhere (Glasgow, 2026 date tbc)- festival dedicated to performance art. Find out more – www.takemesomewhere.co.uk.
• Loch & Land Festival (Inverness & Loch Ness, 2026 date tbc) – experiences across the region (walks, crafts, food & drink) Find out more.

• Edinburgh Horror Festival (23–31 Oct) multiple venues incl. Banshee Labyrinth. Full schedule now published here.
• The Creative Craft Show + Stitching Show + Simply Christmas (2026 date tbc, SEC Centre, Glasgow). Big craft & hobby fair. Find out more.
• The Wee Fife Folk Festival (Leslie and Dunfermline2026 date tbc) – alll things folk in Dunfermline and Leslie in Fife – tickets.
• Dornoch Whisky Festival (2026 date tbc) – celebrating all things whisky at the Dornoch Whisky Festival

• Arran Festival of Food & Drink (2026 date tbc) – including the Harvest Fest Farmers Market and Family Fun Day. Visit Arran’s Food Journey for more information.
• Exclusively Highlands Autumn Festival @ Wildwoodz (25–26 Oct, near Inverness) makers market weekend. exclusivelyhighlands.co.uk
•  The Big Swally beer festival (Edinburgh,2026 date tbc)  – cult beers and street food at the Corn Exchange. Tickets – the Big Swally beer festival.
• Faclan: the Hebridean Book Festival (Stornaway 2026 date tbc) – talks, readings, film, exhibitions, and other events in Stornaway, Outer Hebrides. Full programme.
• Samhuinn Fire Festival (Edinburgh, annual on 31 Oct) – Beltane Fire Society’s autumn counterpart. Find out more – beltane.org/about-samhuinn

Pumpkin and halloween events in Scotland 2025

Here are a few of the main halloween events in Scotland. Find the complete list of Halloween event in Scotland in my guide.

• Galoshans Festival (Greenock, 2026 date tbc) – rooted in local Hallowe’en “galoshans” traditions and street theatre, now a community festival with parades, giants and performances. Find out more.
• Killieween (Kilmarnock, East Ayrshire) – In Kilmarnock, locals celebrate Halloween six days early on the last Friday of October—a tradition called Killieween. Homes and fire stations decorate, and children guising happens ahead of the schedule.
• Paisley Halloween Festival (2026 date tbc) – celebrate Halloween with this parade through Paisley and other spooky events. Find out more: Paisley Halloween Festival

More information on Halloween in Scotland.

Other major events in Scotland in 2026

• Glasgow to host the 2026 Commonwealth Games (23 July to 2 August 2026) – with a large, city-wide sporting programme, the XXIII Commonwealth Games is coming to Glasgow across multiple venues across Glasgow (e.g., Scotstoun Stadium, Tollcross International Swimming Centre) among others. The full sport schedule has been released and tickets are going on sale – glasgow2026.com
• Glasgow 850 (year‑long): the city’s 850th anniversary programme continues across culture, music and heritage. Find out more from Visit Scotland.

From fire festivals to ceilidhs, whisky tastings to world-class theatre, Scotland’s festivals have something for everyone. Plan around one (or more!) and you’ll experience the country at its most spirited.

Love from Scotland x