Sometimes the best way to spread Christmas cheer is to leave the actual house. In Edinburgh, Christmas At The Botanics returns for 2024 and remains an unforgettable experience, even for the repeat visitor (Thursday 21 November–Monday 30 December). All the colours of the rainbow dance across the shadowy park, with glimpses of Father Christmas along the way. Stunning. Edinburgh Castle’s Castle Of Light is equally beautiful, with immersive displays, interactive installations and music bringing 900 years of history to life on the castle walls (Friday 22 November–Saturday 4 January). New for this year, visitors will also get a chance to ‘fire’ Mons Meg.

Starry Nights returns to Dean Castle Country Park in Kilmarnock; the same folk also take the Christmas reins at Beecraigs Country Park, by Linlithgow (Friday 13–Monday 23 December). Expect festive food, Santa grottos, cheery elves and various events including carols and cocktails. Commendably, both have early entry slots for those who need things to be a little quieter. Monteviot Castle in the Borders continues the trail theme: Monteviot Lights shines bright like a diamond in a gorgeous outdoor experience (Friday 6–Sunday 22 December). 

Moving indoors, Dynamic Earth’s World Of Winter Wonder (Saturday 30 November–Monday 23 December) is worth a look in Edinburgh, particularly on a bad-weather day. You can see Santa in his frozen grotto, learn more about polar animals and gaze at real footage of the northern lights in the planetarium, where they’re also showing classic Christmas movies on selected dates. 

In Glasgow, the Irn-Bru Carnival is back, back, back (Friday 20 December–Sunday 12 January). Europe’s largest indoor funfair has a lot going for it (not least the fact that it’s indoors). They do a great job of making it accessible for all ages, with a big inflatable play area where wee ones can burn off steam for 40 minutes while the adults catch their breath and the teens go on those big scary rides we’re too feart to write about. Genius.