Christmas and winter experiences from the north-east of England to the Scottish Borders and beyond

Christmas at Castle Howard, North Yorkshire, England 
13 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 

Follow the Yellow Brick Road to Castle Howard this Christmas, as the stately home reimagines L. Frank Baum’s children’s classic novel, The Wizard of Oz. Its grand galleries and Baroque rooms will be filled with fantastical themed installations, soundscapes and projections, as well as twinkling Christmas trees. Clients can follow Dorothy’s journey from Kansas to Oz while wandering through the richly decorated state rooms. For a bit of extra magic, join the Oz Twilight Tour of the house with a glass of sparkling wine in hand (every Friday from 28 November to 19 December 2025, non-alcoholic options also available), an after-dark guided tour led by the estate’s Christmas Design Director. 

Christmas at North Yorkshire Moors Railway, Yorkshire, England 
25 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 

Hop aboard the North Yorkshire Moors Railway for an adventure through the North York Moors National Park this winter. The Festive Travel and Treats experiences pair nostalgic steam journeys with seasonal treats: homemade sandwiches, mince pies and hot drinks served on board. Clients can ride in restored carriages as the train steams between Pickering and Grosmont. The slower pace of travel gives clients the opportunity to fully enjoy the sweeping views of the North York Moors National Park in its winter finery. 

Blackfriars, Newcastle, England 

Dine in medieval style at Blackfriars, a 13th-century friary. Its stone walls and timbered interiors create a historic backdrop for seasonal meals, from multi-course Christmas banquets to afternoon tea. Alongside dining, Blackfriars hosts a programme of festive workshops. Guests can learn to bake Christmas cake (14 December), make a gingerbread house from scratch (7 and 20 December) or craft their own wreaths (23 and 30 November), all guided by expert tutors. 

Durham Christmas Festival 
5 to 7 December 2025  

Durham’s medieval centre welcomes more than 250 independent traders selling handmade goods, gifts and seasonal treats as part of a three-day Christmas Festival. The UNESCO-listed Durham Cathedral and Durham Castle, both film locations for the Harry Potter films, provide a dramatic backdrop. The festival also features carol services, live music, and a children’s lantern parade on 7 December. 

Premier league seasonal games, Newcastle and Sunderland  

Catch the roar of the crowd at Premier League matches at Newcastle United’s St James’ Park or Sunderland’s Stadium of Light throughout the winter. Seasonal fixtures allow visitors to combine festive trips with live sport. Stadium tours, club shops and nearby pubs add to the experience, whether visitors are die-hard fans or curious newcomers to English football culture. 

Northern Belle Christmas lunch experience, from Edinburgh or Glasgow, Scotland 

Step into the golden age of rail travel aboard the Northern Belle, a restored 1930s Pullman train, complete with art deco interiors, brass fittings and plush armchairs. During December, the line runs special festive Christmas Lunch return journeys from Edinburgh, Glasgow and stations across the region. Guests are greeted with Champagne and canapés before enjoying a multi-course Christmas lunch. Live music and glittering decorations add to the spectacle. Between courses, clients can admire views of frosty landscapes – rolling through market towns such as Berwick-upon-Tweed and Alnwick, past stretches of the Northumberland coast, and by castle ruins including Norham and Dunstanburgh that rise against the winter sky. 

Winter Lights at The Alnwick Garden and Lilidorei, Northumberland, England 
20 November 2025 to 4 January 2026 

Wander through Alnwick Garden after dark and watch it sparkle during Winter Lights. The Grand Cascade and landscaped grounds are reimagined as an illuminated dreamscape, with tunnels of light, water features and projections that play across the scenery. New installations are added every year as well as a brand-new soundtrack which brings the gardens to life. Families can also explore the magical play village, Lilidorei, one of the largest play structures in the world which glows with hundreds of lights during the season. 

The Snow Queen at the Festival Theatre, Edinburgh, Scotland 
27 November to 7 December 2025   

Be swept into Hans Christian Andersen’s fairytale as the Scottish Ballet brings The Snow Queento life. Staged at Edinburgh’s Festival Theatre, the production features opulent costumes, immersive sets designed by the award-winning Lez Brotherston, and choreography by Christopher Hampson that mixes classic ballet with modern elements. A sparkling cast of dancers conjure snowstorms, and leap through enchanted forests and icy palaces, accompanied by a live score. 

Dundee at Christmas, Scotland    

Dundee promises plenty of festive spirit in 2025, with seasonal celebrations set to bring light and colour to Scotland’s design capital. Discovery Point hosts a Santa’s Grotto (6 to 22 December), while the adjacent Christmas Market (29 to 30 November) offers artisan gifts and festive treats. Verdant Works Museum joins the celebrations with glamorous Christmas Party Nights (5 to 13 December) and a market on 22 and 23 November. Dundee’s compact size makes it easy to explore on foot, so clients can soak up the festive atmosphere while dipping into museums like the V&A Dundee, and independent shops along the way. 

Christmas at Castle Fraser, Aberdeenshire, Scotland 
28 November to 21 December 2025 

Discover Castle Fraser decked out for Christmas, one of Scotland’s largest tower houses which has evolved over the centuries. The fortress features a core that dates to the 15th century and was expanded by the Fraser family in the 16th and early 17th centuries. In December, the historic interiors are decorated with greenery and candlelight, offering clients a glimpse of Christmas as it might have been celebrated through the ages. Browse craft stalls for handmade gifts, explore the castle by candlelight on a Christmas Guided Tour (6, 13 and 20 December 2025) or meet Father Christmas (7, 14 and 21 December 2025).  

Hogmanay, Edinburgh  
29 and 31 December 2025  

Celebrate Hogmanay like the Scots do, at one of Britain’s most famous New Year festivals. In Edinburgh, the Torchlight Procession on 29 December fills the Royal Mile with firelit trails, while the Hogmanay Street Party on 31 December gathers thousands for concerts, ceilidh dancing and fireworks above the castle. Elsewhere, towns and villages put their own spin on the celebrations – including the fiery spectacle of Stonehaven’s fireball swinging on the east coast, just south of Aberdeen.  

Irn Bru Carnvial   
19 December 2025 to 11 January 2026 

Step into Europe’s largest indoor funfair, Iron Bru Carnival in Glasgow. Each winter, the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) fills with rollercoasters, dodgems, climbing walls, bungee trampolines, and arcade games, making it a top destination for families whatever the weather. Stalls serve festive food alongside Irn-Bru, Scotland’s well-known soft drink. The venue has its own train station, Exhibition Centre, which allows easy access from the city centre in five to seven minutes. 

Edinburgh Christmas Market  
15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026  

Stroll through Edinburgh’s Princes Street Gardens as they’re transformed into one of Britain’s most atmospheric Christmas markets. More than 70 wooden chalets brim with artisan crafts, street food and warming drinks, all set beneath the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle. Families can enjoy the West Princes Street Gardens Family Funfair, complete with fairground rides and an ice rink. The market is also home to the LNER Big Wheel – Scotland’s tallest Ferris wheel at 46 metres – offering sweeping views over the city. For an evening spectacle, Castle of Light (select dates from 21 November to 4 January 2026) transforms Edinburgh Castle with dazzling illuminations. 

Fenwick, Newcastle, England 

Step inside Newcastle’s historic department store, Fenwick, known for its animated Christmas window displays which are unveiled each November. Inside, seven floors of luxury shopping range from designer fashion to gourmet food halls. Seasonal pop-ups and festive gift sections make it easy to tick off Christmas lists, while the on-site café and rooftop bar offer convenient stops for hot chocolate or festive cocktails.  

House of Henderson, Stirling, Scotland 

Explore the world of tartan at Stirling’s House of Henderson, a family-run outfitter that has been kitting out Highlanders since 1923. Known for its tailored kilts and accessories, this shop is a treasure trove for anyone wanting to channel their favourite Outlander character. Beyond bespoke Highlandwear, clients can browse the shelves for festive Scottish gifts – from tweed and tartan scarves to jewellery and homeware. 

The Hidden Lane, Glasgow, Scotland   

Wander down The Hidden Lane in Glasgow’s Finnieston district to discover a colourful maze of artisan studios and shops. More than 100 studios house makers working across different disciplines, from jewellers and ceramicists to chocolatiers, and even vintage dealers. At Christmas, studios open their doors for festive shopping, offering handmade gifts and workshops. Street art and quirky cafés make it a vibrant alternative to the high street. 

Gretna Green, Dumfries and Galloway, Scotland  

Gretna Green is proof that love knows no borders. Just over the English-Scottish border, the village became famous from 1754 onwards, when young English couples fled here to marry under Scotland’s more relaxed laws. The blacksmiths’ anvil became a symbol of these ‘runaway weddings’, with ceremonies carried out in the forge. Today, the historic blacksmiths’ building is home to a collection of boutiques selling Scottish food, luxury fashion, homeware and gifts – from cashmere and whisky to artisan hampers filled with local produce.  

Alnwick Castle, Northumberland, England 

Explore Alnwick Castle, which starred as the exterior of Hogwarts in the first two Harry Potter films, where visitors can still join broomstick training sessions on the very lawns used in filming. The castle also starred in Downton Abbey and Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves. One of Britain’s largest inhabited castles, it’s been home to the Percy family for more than 700 years. This winter, the medieval walls come alive with the Winter Lights event, while the Alnwick Castle Christmas Fair (preview evenings on 20 to 21 November 2025) will be brimming with artisan stalls, festive food, and seasonal entertainment. 

Durham Cathedral, Durham, England 

Welcome to Hogwarts. This cathedral and UNESCO World Heritage Site doubled as the famous wizarding school in both Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets. It also made a cameo in Avengers: Endgame as part of New Asgard. Built in 1093 and considered one of the finest examples of Norman architecture in Europe, it’s been watching over the city for nearly a thousand years. Climb the 325 steps of the central tower for panoramic views – or stay grounded and admire the medieval stained glass, 12th-century tombs, and vast vaulted ceilings.   

Bamburgh Castle, Northumberland, England 

Perched overlooking the North Sea, the 6th-century fortress of Bamburgh Castle is a screen favourite – from Outlander and The Last Kingdom to Indiana Jonesand the Dial of Destiny. Inside, visitors can explore opulent state rooms, an armoury, and a museum dedicated to inventor and industrialist William George Armstrong, who bought and restored the castle. For those who want to soak it all in after the day-trippers have gone, it’s even possible to stay in the grounds of Bamburgh Castle itself. Book one of the Clock or Neville Towers through Bamburgh Holidays.    

Rosslyn Chapel, near Edinburgh, Scotland 

Uncover ancient secrets at Rosslyn Chapel, just a 30-minute drive from Edinburgh. Famously associated with The Da Vinci Code, the chapel is a key location in the quest for the Holy Grail, with its 15th-century architecture and stone carvings looking resplendent in director Ron Howard’s mystery-thriller. Its rich history (and folklore), including its connections to the Knights Templar and legends of ancient secrets, only adds to the chapel’s allure, making it a popular destination for fans of the film as well as those intrigued by its past.