We confirmed 16 Christmas events for kids in Glasgow for 2026. The season starts on 14 November with Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On and runs until 10 January (Goldilocks and the Three Bonnie Bears). 2 of them are free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in the UK.
The short version
- 16 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Glasgow, Paisley, Renfrew and Milngavie
- First: Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On, Paisley, 14 November
- Free events: Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On and Renfrew Christmas Lights Switch-On
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, price and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
Glasgow Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 16 confirmed for 2026
- Areas
- Glasgow, Paisley, Renfrew and Milngavie
- Season
- 14 November to 10 January
- Free events
- 2
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Glasgow
10 confirmed events in Glasgow, soonest first.
The Snaw Queen
Panto or Christmas showTron Theatre · Glasgow
- Host
- Tron Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Tron Theatre, 63 Trongate, Glasgow G1 5HB
- When
- Nov 18 to Dec 31
- Price
- Ticket prices on the Tron website
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Tron Theatre's 2026 Christmas panto is The Snaw Queen, a remount of an earlier Tron favourite. It is written and directed by Johnny McKnight, who also stars, and the Tron is known for pantos packed with Glasgow humour and a gallus twist on familiar fairytales.
The run is from 18 November to 31 December 2026. The season page does not list performance times, prices or age guidance, so check the show page before you book. Tickets can be bought online, by phone on 0141 552 4267, or in person at the Tron box office on Trongate in the Merchant City, a short walk from Glasgow Cross and the city centre. A press performance is on Friday 20 November, so the run is well under way by the start of December.
Parent tip: Book through the Tron box office on 0141 552 4267 if you need help choosing seats or access arrangements.
See dates and details from Tron Theatre (opens in a new tab)Aladdin (Pantomime)
Panto or Christmas showKing's Theatre, Glasgow (ATG Entertainment) · Glasgow
- Host
- King's Theatre, Glasgow (ATG Entertainment) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- King's Theatre, 297 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JN
- When
- Nov 21, 2026 to Jan 3, 2027
- Price
- Ticket prices on the ATG Tickets site
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Pantomime is one of the great Scottish Christmas traditions, and the King's Theatre on Bath Street is one of Glasgow's best known panto houses. This season the theatre presents Aladdin, the tale of a young hero, a magical lamp and a battle between good and evil, told with the songs, slapstick and audience shouting that families expect from panto.
The run opens on Saturday 21 November 2026 and continues until Sunday 3 January 2027, so there are performances before and after Christmas, which can be handy if December weekends are already full. The listing we checked did not show performance times or ticket prices, so pick your date on the ATG Tickets page to see what is available. Panto seats at popular weekend matinees tend to go first, so booking ahead is sensible if you have a particular day in mind.
Parent tip: A separate relaxed performance is listed for Thursday 17 December 2026 for families who prefer a calmer setting.
See dates and details from King's Theatre, Glasgow (ATG Entertainment) (opens in a new tab)Goldilocks and the Three Bonnie Bears
Panto or Christmas showImagine Theatre at the Pavilion Theatre · Glasgow
- Host
- Imagine Theatre at the Pavilion Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Pavilion Theatre, 121 Renfield Street, Glasgow G2 3AX
- When
- Thu, Nov 26 to Sun, Jan 10
- Price
- Prices on the Pavilion booking page
- Ages
- Ages 3 and up
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Pavilion Theatre on Renfield Street stages its 2026 family panto, Goldilocks and the Three Bonnie Bears, produced by Imagine Theatre. It is billed as suitable for ages 3 and up and for the whole family, and runs about 125 minutes with one 20 minute interval. Shouting out is encouraged.
The run is from Thursday 26 November 2026 to Sunday 10 January 2027. BSL interpreted, audio described, captioned and relaxed performances are scheduled, with dates on Imagine Theatre's accessible performances page. Tickets are sold by the venue. The producer notes that the opening weekend (26 to 29 November) and dates after New Year are usually better value. Photos are allowed before the show, in the interval, on the way out and at a set moment during the show.
Parent tip: Concert Square car park (G4 0DE) is closest, and the theatre is about a 5 minute walk from Buchanan Bus Station or Queen Street station.
See dates and details from Imagine Theatre at the Pavilion Theatre (opens in a new tab)Hopscotch Theatre and Glasgow Life present Hansel & Gretel
Panto or Christmas showGlasgow Life · Glasgow
- Host
- Glasgow Life (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Various Glasgow venues, Glasgow
- When
- Nov 26 to Dec 19, various venues
- Price
- See Glasgow Life listing
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Hopscotch Theatre is a Glasgow company known for touring lively shows for children, and this Christmas it teams up with Glasgow Life to present Hansel & Gretel. Rather than sitting in one theatre, the production visits various venues around the city between Thursday 26 November and Saturday 19 December 2026, which can make it easier to find a performance close to home.
The Glasgow Life What's On listing we checked names the run dates but not individual venues, times or prices, so open the event page to see where the show is playing on each date and how to book. A familiar fairy tale makes a good first theatre trip for younger children, and a community venue is often less daunting than a big city centre auditorium. If you have a favourite local hall or library, check whether it is on the tour.
Parent tip: Check the Glasgow Life event page for the venue on your chosen date before setting off, as the show moves around the city.
See dates and details from Glasgow Life (opens in a new tab)Cinderella
Panto or Christmas showCitizens Theatre · Glasgow
- Host
- Citizens Theatre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Citizens Theatre, Main Theatre, 119 Gorbals Street, Glasgow G5 9DS
- When
- Sat, Nov 28 to Thu, Dec 31, matinees and evenings
- Price
- Children £9.25 to £22, adults £12.50 to £43.50, plus £1.50 booking fee
- Ages
- 6+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Citizens Theatre's Christmas show is Stuart Paterson's take on Cinderella. She toils in the cold, dark kitchens while her stepsisters play tricks on her, and with new friends and a little magic she sets out to reach the Prince's ball. The show runs about two hours including an interval, and the theatre suggests it for ages 6 and up.
Performances run from 28 November to 31 December 2026, with afternoon and evening shows most weekends and through Christmas week. A relaxed performance is on Sunday 20 December at 5pm, a BSL interpreted show on Thursday 17 December at 7pm, captioned shows on 22 and 29 December, and audio described shows with a touch tour on 13 December. Child tickets are £9.25 to £22 and adult tickets £12.50 to £43.50. The building has level access, lifts to all levels and induction loops.
Parent tip: The 1pm show on Sunday 20 December is already sold out and the 13 December matinee has limited tickets, so book early for weekend matinees. Lucky Dip tickets give 50% off.
See dates and details from Citizens Theatre (opens in a new tab)Christmas Show: Hansel & Gretel
Panto or Christmas showPlatform · Glasgow
- Host
- Platform (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Platform, The Bridge, 1000 Westerhouse Road, Easterhouse, Glasgow G34 9JW
- When
- Tue, Dec 1 to Thu, Dec 24, day and evening shows
- Price
- £10.50 standard, £7 concession, £6
- Ages
- All ages; recommended 5+, younger children welcome
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Platform in Easterhouse presents its annual Christmas show, this year a new Hansel & Gretel written by Lewis Hetherington, from the team behind its earlier A Christmas Carol, Rumpelstiltskin and Sleeping Beauty. One snowy Christmas Eve a man finds a goat and a badger on his doorstep and raises them as Hansel and Gretel, until a mysterious power takes hold of the forest. Expect a festive story, groovy songs and plenty of silly jokes.
The show is about 60 minutes with no interval and is recommended for ages 5 and up, though younger children are welcome. Tickets are £10.50, £7 concession or £6, with unassigned seating. Relaxed performances, with a little more light in the auditorium, are on 2, 10, 12 and 16 December. Evening and Saturday shows are on public sale; some weekday daytime shows are held for schools first.
Parent tip: There is free parking right outside the venue and the café bar opens before shows. Pre-ordered goody bags can be requested by emailing tickets@platform-online.co.uk.
See dates and details from Platform (opens in a new tab)Santa's Galactic Grotto
Santa’s grottoGlasgow Science Centre · Glasgow
- Host
- Glasgow Science Centre (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Glasgow Science Centre, 50 Pacific Quay, Glasgow G51 1EA
- When
- December weekends from Sat, Dec 5, plus Mon, Dec 21 and more
- Price
- £26 per person or £99 for a family of 4, plus £1 transaction fee; free baby and toddler tickets
- Ages
- Most suitable for ages 3 to 10
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Glasgow Science Centre's Christmas grotto starts in the Planetarium, where families follow clues across the night sky in an immersive show to find Santa, who appears for the finale. Afterwards you meet Santa and his elf in a themed grotto space, with time for a family photo and a gift from Santa for each child.
Tickets are £26 per person or £99 for a family ticket for four, plus a £1 transaction fee, and include Christmas activities in The Hive and all day access to the science centre. The experience is aimed at ages 3 to 10. Babies and toddlers can have a free ticket without a gift, but they still need a ticket to get into the Planetarium show. Dates include the December weekends from 5 December and Monday 21 December, each with three time slots.
Parent tip: Book a free ticket for any baby or toddler, or they cannot enter the Planetarium show. Plan to stay, as the ticket covers the whole science centre for the day.
See dates and details from Glasgow Science Centre (opens in a new tab)Children's Classic Concerts: Elf Academy
Panto or Christmas showGlasgow Life · Glasgow
- Host
- Glasgow Life (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY
- When
- Sat, Dec 12, 1 pm
- Price
- Ticketed, see Glasgow Life Tickets
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Children's Classic Concerts is a long running series of orchestral shows made for young audiences, and its Christmas concert this year is Elf Academy. It takes place at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall at the top of Buchanan Street on Saturday 12 December 2026, starting at 1pm, which makes it an easy one to pair with a look at the city centre Christmas lights afterwards.
The concert is listed on the Glasgow Life What's On calendar. The listing we checked did not give ticket prices or an age guide, so check the event page or Glasgow Life Tickets for seat prices and availability. An early afternoon start suits younger children who flag in the evening, and a concert hall setting is a gentle introduction to live music for little ones who have not been to a big venue before.
Parent tip: Book through Glasgow Life Tickets and arrive early to find your seats before the 1pm start.
See dates and details from Glasgow Life (opens in a new tab)Aladdin (Pantomime) - Relaxed Performance
Panto or Christmas showKing's Theatre, Glasgow (ATG Entertainment) · Glasgow
- Host
- King's Theatre, Glasgow (ATG Entertainment) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- King's Theatre, 297 Bath Street, Glasgow G2 4JN
- When
- Thu, Dec 17
- Price
- Ticket prices on the ATG Tickets site
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Alongside its main pantomime run, the King's Theatre in Glasgow has scheduled a relaxed performance of Aladdin on Thursday 17 December 2026. Relaxed performances are designed for audiences who may find a standard theatre trip overwhelming, including many autistic children and children with sensory or learning needs, and they usually welcome noise and movement in the auditorium.
The story is the same festive panto as the main run: Aladdin, a magical lamp and a cheerful battle between good and evil. The listing we checked did not give the start time, ticket prices or the exact adjustments made for this performance, so check the event page on ATG Tickets or contact the theatre's access team before booking if your child has particular needs. Booking early is a good idea, as relaxed panto performances are often popular with schools and families alike.
Parent tip: Ask the theatre what adjustments are planned for sound and lighting so you can prepare your child in advance.
See dates and details from King's Theatre, Glasgow (ATG Entertainment) (opens in a new tab)The McDougalls: Christmas in Toyland
Panto or Christmas showGlasgow Royal Concert Hall (Glasgow Life) · Glasgow
- Host
- Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Glasgow Life) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Glasgow Royal Concert Hall, New Auditorium, 2 Sauchiehall Street, Glasgow G2 3NY
- When
- Thu, Dec 24, 1 pm and 3 pm
- Price
- £17.18 including booking fee
- Ages
- Recommended for children up to age 9 with their families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The McDougalls bring their festive musical show for families to the New Auditorium at Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Christmas Eve. Max, Auntie Aggie and Morag the Rabbit are on a hunt for lost toys and need help from the audience to return them before Christmas, with singalongs and plenty of joining in along the way.
The show lasts one hour and is recommended for children up to age 9 with their families. Under 16s must be with an adult. Children are invited to bring a teddy bear along. Tickets are £17.18 including the booking fee and restoration levy. Performances are on Thursday 24 December 2026, with a 3pm show listed and a 1pm show also linked from the page. It is created and performed by Ruairidh Forde and Ryan Moir.
Parent tip: Bring a teddy bear, as the audience is invited to. The New Auditorium is at the Royal Concert Hall at the top of Buchanan Street.
See dates and details from Glasgow Royal Concert Hall (Glasgow Life) (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Paisley
3 confirmed events in Paisley, soonest first.
Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On (Paisley)
Story time with SantaFreeRenfrewshire Council · Paisley
- Host
- Renfrewshire Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Abbey Close and Paisley town centre, Abbey Close, Paisley PA1 1JG (near Glasgow)
- When
- Sat, Nov 14, 1 to 6 pm, switch-on at 6 pm
- Price
- Free; some workshops need booking
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Renfrewshire Council's Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On fills the town centre from 1pm to 6pm on Saturday 14 November 2026, with the main site at Abbey Close. Santa joins Renfrewshire's Provost to switch on the lights at 6pm. During the afternoon there is a giant snow globe photo spot on High Street, four light tunnels in Dunn Square, funfair rides, and roaming Bad Santas street performers.
For younger children, Paisley Central Library hosts a Stick Man storytelling session for ages 0 to 5 at 3pm, which is free but must be booked through Ticketsolve. The Art Department on Causeyside Street runs arts and crafts workshops and a festive film screening from 3pm to 6pm, also bookable. Entry to the event itself is free.
Parent tip: Book the 3pm Stick Man storytime at Paisley Central Library in advance through Ticketsolve, as places are limited.
See dates and details from Renfrewshire Council (opens in a new tab)Sleeping Beauty (Paisley)
Panto or Christmas showPACE Theatre Company with OneRen · Paisley
- Host
- PACE Theatre Company with OneRen (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Paisley Arts Centre, 15 New Street, Paisley PA1 1EZ (near Glasgow)
- When
- Wed, Nov 25 to Tue, Jan 5
- Price
- £13.50 to £26 (concessions from £16), including £1 venue fee
- Ages
- Recommended 5+
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
PACE Theatre Company's family panto is back at Paisley Arts Centre with a new version of Sleeping Beauty by Andy McGregor, presented with OneRen. Princess Annie ends up on a twenty year nap thanks to a cursed spindle and an evil fairy, and her adoptive mum, a bumbling wannabe magician, and a rugged archaeologist set off on a chaotic quest to wake her. The cast includes Chris Alexander and Alan Orr alongside PACE's youth theatre.
The run is from Wednesday 25 November 2026 to Tuesday 5 January 2027. The show is about two hours with a 15 minute interval and is recommended for ages 5 and up. A relaxed performance is on Sunday 6 December at 1pm and a BSL signed performance on Tuesday 8 December at 7pm. Prices run from £13.50 to £26, with concessions.
Parent tip: Wheelchair spaces cannot be booked online; call the OneRen box office on 0300 300 1210 for those or other access needs.
See dates and details from PACE Theatre Company with OneRen (opens in a new tab)Rockin' Sprog The Christmas Frog (Paisley)
Panto or Christmas showPACE Theatre Company · Paisley
- Host
- PACE Theatre Company (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The Kiln, 8 Seedhill Road, Paisley PA1 1JT (near Glasgow)
- When
- Wed, Dec 16 to Tue, Dec 22
- Price
- £8 per ticket, under 1s free
- Ages
- Recommended 3 to 8
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
For younger children who may not manage a full panto, PACE Theatre Company is staging Rockin' Sprog The Christmas Frog at The Kiln, its creative learning hub on Seedhill Road in Paisley. The show is written and directed by Iona Ramsay and lasts about 30 minutes, which suits little ones with short attention spans.
It runs from Wednesday 16 to Tuesday 22 December 2026 and is recommended for ages 3 to 8. All tickets are £8, and babies under one go free. The venue has level access for wheelchair users and those with mobility needs. Performance times are shown when you book through PACE. The Kiln is PACE's own base in Paisley town centre, where it also runs weekly drama groups for children from babies upward.
Parent tip: At about 30 minutes it is a gentle first theatre trip; under 1s go free.
See dates and details from PACE Theatre Company (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Renfrew
2 confirmed events in Renfrew, soonest first.
Renfrew Christmas Lights Switch-On (Renfrew)
Meet SantaFreeRenfrewshire Council · Renfrew
- Host
- Renfrewshire Council (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Renfrew Town Centre and Renfrew Town Hall, High Street, Renfrew PA4 8QP (near Glasgow)
- When
- Sat, Nov 21, 12 to 5 pm, switch-on at 5 pm
- Price
- Free; panto and elf party need advance booking
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Renfrew's Christmas Lights Switch-On runs on High Street from 12pm to 5pm on Saturday 21 November 2026, with the lights going on at 5pm. Santa's Grotto is open from 12pm to 4.30pm, with the queue closing at 4pm, so children can tell Santa their wish list. There is also a giant snow globe photo spot, roaming living Christmas trees, face painting, funfair rides and Christmas stalls.
Inside Renfrew Town Hall, Be Oor Guest, The Panto! is an interactive family pantomime from 12.30pm to 1.30pm in the Main Hall, and an Elf Interactive Party runs at 1.30pm, 2.45pm and 4pm in the Lesser Hall. Both need advance booking. A stage programme from the Fitzpatrick Academy of Music runs through the day, and entry to the event itself is free.
Parent tip: Head to the grotto early, as the queue closes at 4pm, and book the panto or elf party sessions ahead.
See dates and details from Renfrewshire Council (opens in a new tab)Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Braehead (Renfrew)
Santa’s grottoDobbies Garden Centres · Renfrew
- Host
- Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Dobbies Braehead, Renfrew (near Glasgow)
- When
- Selected dates, Nov 21 to Dec 24
- Price
- £15 to £17 per child
- Ages
- Children
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Dobbies garden centre at Braehead, near Renfrew on the west side of Glasgow, is one of the Scottish stores hosting the chain's 2026 Santa's Grotto. Children make a wish at the wishing well, visit the grotto shops for festive activities, post a letter at the Penguin Post Office and then spend dedicated family time with Santa. Each ticketed child goes home with a collectable penguin soft toy in a presentation bag.
Tickets are £15 to £17 and must be booked online for a timed slot. The season runs from 21 November to 24 December 2026, but not every store opens on every date, so choose Braehead on the booking page to see its availability. Up to two adults can come with each child, children must be supervised throughout, and the grotto may be outdoors, so wrap up warmly.
Parent tip: Professional photos with Santa can be added when booking, and pre-booked photo packages save 20 percent.
See dates and details from Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Milngavie
1 confirmed event in Milngavie, soonest first.
Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Milngavie (Milngavie)
Santa’s grottoDobbies Garden Centres · Milngavie
- Host
- Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Dobbies Milngavie, Milngavie (near Glasgow)
- When
- Selected dates, Nov 21 to Dec 24
- Price
- £15 to £17 per child
- Ages
- Children
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Dobbies garden centres run a Santa's Grotto each Christmas, and the Milngavie store north of Glasgow is one of the Scottish venues taking part in 2026. Families walk through a North Pole village with a wishing well, grotto shops with activities and a Penguin Post Office, then have dedicated time with Santa. Every child with a ticket receives a penguin soft toy in a presentation bag, and there are photo spots along the way.
Tickets cost £15 to £17 and are booked online in timed slots between 21 November and 24 December 2026, although not every store runs every date, so check Milngavie's calendar when booking. Your booking time is your arrival time, and you cannot go in early. A maximum of two adults can accompany each child, and the grotto may be partly outdoors, so dress for the weather.
Parent tip: Pre-booking a professional photo package saves 20 percent. Arrive no more than five minutes before your slot.
See dates and details from Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Glasgow Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Glasgow in 2026?
We confirmed 16 Christmas events for kids in Glasgow for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On (Paisley), The Snaw Queen, Aladdin (Pantomime), Renfrew Christmas Lights Switch-On (Renfrew), Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Braehead (Renfrew), Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Milngavie (Milngavie), Sleeping Beauty (Paisley), Goldilocks and the Three Bonnie Bears, Hopscotch Theatre and Glasgow Life present Hansel & Gretel, Cinderella, Christmas Show: Hansel & Gretel and Santa's Galactic Grotto. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Glasgow?
Yes. 2 of the 16 events here are free, including Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On (Paisley) and Renfrew Christmas Lights Switch-On (Renfrew). Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Glasgow this year?
Santa appears at Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On (Paisley), Renfrew Christmas Lights Switch-On (Renfrew), Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Braehead (Renfrew), Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Milngavie (Milngavie) and Santa's Galactic Grotto. Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Glasgow?
Christmas story times on this page: Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On (Paisley). Library story times are usually free; ones with a meal or show are ticketed.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
