Visiting UK

Glasgow George Square at Christmas – Santa’s Sleigh

Winterfest Glasgow 2009 Dates: 21 November 2009 – 3 January 2010
Winterfest Glasgow Location: George Square, Glasgow

Winterfest Glasgow is an annual winter festival held in George Square in the Glasgow city centre. With events ranging from Glasgow on Ice to Hogmanay (New Years Eve) to the Glasgow Santa Dash, Winterfest has a wide range of attractions and events for families, couples, locals and visitors.

Beginning with the Christmas Lights switch on during which there are fireworks and a ceremony to light up the square for the Christmas season, Winterfest continues throughout the holiday period with free films in George Square on Wednesdays and Sundays, live music in the Road to Hogmanay on Thursdays, Shindig, and St Andrew’s weekend celebrations, all of which are free.

On December 13 the annual Santa Dash takes place at Winterfest Glasgow. The Santa Dash, a 5k fun run that begins and ends in George Square features all runners wearing Santa suits (included in your registration fee) and all proceeds going to charity.

Throughout the whole of Winterfest Glasgow is the beloved Glasgow on Ice (open Monday-Sunday from 10:00 – 22:00 with the last session at 21:00). Glasgow on Ice is a large ice skating rink in Glasgow’s George Square, and is one of the most popular activities at Winterfest Glasgow.

Don’t miss the Christmas Eve and Hogmanay celebrations in Glasgow, either. Winterfest Glasgow features live entertainment in George Square for both nights.

If you are visiting Glasgow for Winterfest, make sure to book your hotel accommodation and flight or train well in advance. Winterfest is a very popular time to visit Glasgow, and tickets for Winterfest Glasgow events sell out quickly, so book those ahead of time too.

Glasgow Queen Street Station
Originally uploaded by Such A Groke

Trains from Glasgow to London run regularly from Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen’s Street train stations to London King’s Cross and London Euston train stations.

Trains leave Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen’s Street train stations for London King’s Cross and Euston train stations several times an hour. Trains from London to Glasgow return regularly throughout the day.

The total train time from Glasgow to London ranges from 4.5-6.5 hours, so make sure to check the length of time when you book.

The cost of a round-trip train ticket from Glasgow to London is 102.90 GBP for standard class. Discount train tickets are available if you book in advance or with a railcard.

Edinburgh, trains
Originally uploaded by mmmarcin

Trains from Glasgow to Edinburgh run regularly from Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen’s Street train stations to Edinburgh Waverley train station.

Trains leave Glasgow Central and Glasgow Queen’s Street train stations for Edinburgh Waverley train station every 15 minutes at peak times. Trains from Edinburgh to Glasgow return every 15 minutes at peak times.

The total train time from Glasgow to Edinburgh ranges from 50 minutes to 1.5 hours.

The cost of a round-trip train ticket from Glasgow to Edinburgh is 17.70 GBP for standard class. Discount train tickets are available if you book in advance or with a railcard.