It is important to set aside some time during the festive break to rest, explore, and celebrate completing the first bit of the academic year! A lot of students travel away from Glasgow during the festive break, whether that be to their home country, to visit friends and family, or for vacations. While campus, and Glasgow generally, is significantly quieter during the festive break, there are still a good portion of students that stick around. Understandably, it can seem daunting to spend the festive break in a new place. This was the first time that I spent Christmas and New Year’s Eve away from my family and home country. While that thought initially induced anxiety, I quickly embraced staying in Glasgow and prioritized taking that time to explore the city. There is more than enough to do in Glasgow and the surrounding areas to keep those few weeks busy!

As an introvert, I found the festive period in the West End of Glasgow to be the perfect time to try out some shops and cafes that are normally crowded when classes are on. I was able to fit in at least four films in various cinemas around the city (the Grosvenor is nearby and has fun, bright red lounge chairs, but Glasgow Film Theatre and Cineworld have great membership programs), successfully conquer riding the bus, travel to the South Side, and get some charity shopping in. I tried out some local restaurants and cafes and went on plenty of walks without having to dart in and out of large groups. I was also finally able to get over to the Barras Market and took home a pretty good haul.>

I was lucky enough to have some family spend the week of Christmas in Glasgow. Our itinerary included touring the two Christmas markets in Glasgow (St. George’s Square and St. Enoch Centre). We also made it to some of the classic Glasgow locations including the Kelvingrove Museum, Ashton Lane, the Botanic Gardens, and Pollok Park. A good way to navigate exploring the city when holiday hours are in effect for most businesses is to plan a walking tour of outdoor locations (like the University, the Botanic Gardens, and Pollok Park). This was my first time making it down to the South Side of Glasgow to explore Pollok Park and I was not disappointed. The Burrell Collection, Pollok House (which was closed, but the grounds were still amazing to walk around), and highland cows made the journey more than worth it! Keep in mind that the festive break entails cold temperatures and wet weather in Scotland, so bundle up and make sure to seek refuge inside open shops, cafes, and museums.

Highland cow looking over a water trough in Pollok Park, Glasgow

The gardens at Pollok House

For New Year’s Eve (or Hogmanay) make sure you look for local events and venues in advance because most places require tickets to be booked ahead of time. I found myself at a few different venues in the city centre complete with amazing dancing opportunities and the “Auld Lang Syne” experience at the bells (midnight!).

Venturing not too far away from Glasgow, I took the train to Edinburgh a few times during the festive break. I made it to the Edinburgh Zoo to see Haggis, the baby pigmy hippo (make sure you visit in the afternoon when she is most likely to wake up for a brief snack and grace you with her presence). I also visited the Edinburgh Castle, complete with afternoon tea right after seeing the crown jewels (make sure you look into a Young Scots card, you can get entry to any castle for £1 up until age 26). Wandering around the National Museum took up the better part of a day in Edinburgh. I was also able to make it to the Christmas market and top off the trip with seeing a performance at the Edinbugh Playhouse. The multiple 45 minute train rides were well worth it, but I did find myself excited to get back to Glasgow at the end of each day in Edinburgh!

Haggis the baby Hippo at Edinburgh Zoo with mother

The Playhouse Theatre in Edinburgh exterior

After spending time exploring local shops and cafes with friends, taking my family on a tour of some highlights of Glasgow, and sightseeing in Edinburgh, I made sure to take some time to get prepared for the next term. The university library is quiet and great for easing back into readings for school during the festive break. Spending the festive break in Glasgow provided a great opportunity to become more acquainted with the city and helped me to feel more settled in my new home. And, most importantly, provided a necessary respite from the hustle and bustle of term-time!

Photos: Sami Whitmore

First published: 5 February 2025

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