George Square will return to the heart of Glasgow’s Christmas celebrations this year with a new festive village following its £20 million transformation.
Glasgow City Council has unveiled plans for Christmas 2026, with events and attractions spread across George Square, St Enoch Square and Glasgow Green throughout November and December.
The revamped George Square will host the new Good Times Christmas Village from late November, featuring food and drink alongside festive light installations.
The full programme for the square is expected to be announced closer to its opening. It marks the return of Christmas attractions to one of Glasgow’s most recognisable locations after the square was unavailable for last year’s celebrations because of its major redevelopment.
George Square has undergone an 18 month long transformation as part of the wider city centre Avenues programme, with new trees, seating, landscaping and granite surfaces among the changes.
The council says it is also changing the way Glasgow officially begins Christmas. There will no longer be a single traditional Christmas lights switch-on event in George Square.
Instead, a series of events will take place during the weeks leading up to Christmas, with the council arguing that the approach will allow more people to take part.
Demand for the old switch-on regularly far exceeded the number of tickets available.
The council said almost half of Glasgow’s population had applied for tickets in the past, while capacity meant only around 4% could attend.
Councillor Ricky Bell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “For Christmas 2026, we’re making things more accessible, more convenient and certainly a lot fairer. That means a move away from the single event to mark the start of the Christmas season.
“That festive atmosphere that only Glasgow can offer and all the traditional magic Glaswegians know and love in their city won’t just be front and centre of our Christmas experience. It’ll be bigger and better than ever.”
The city’s festive season will begin before the new George Square village opens.
Christmas markets will return to St Enoch Square during the first week of November, with international food stalls, a Big Wheel and free entertainment.
Glasgow Green’s Winter Wonderland will then return later in November following its debut last year. The attraction is set to include Santa’s grotto, an ice rink, festive Big Top and fairground rides.
The council has a contract for Christmas activity at Glasgow Green covering both 2025 and 2026. George Square will once again be positioned as the centrepiece of the city’s Christmas programme.
Bell said the expanded Christmas programme was intended to give people more reasons to visit different parts of Glasgow city centre.
He said: “Whether you’re visiting the markets, enjoying Winter Wonderland, heading to the panto, taking in festive lighting displays, or simply soaking up the atmosphere, there will be something for everyone.
“George Square has always been such a big part of what Glaswegians associate with Christmas and we’re delighted to see it back in the mix of our festive celebrations.”