Will there be a Christmas market at George Square in Glasgow this year?

George Square is to return as the centrepiece of Christmas celebrations in Glasgow, following a multi-million pound makeover.

On Friday, Glasgow City Council announced its Christmas programme of events will kick off in November.

Following the completion of its multi-million-pound transformation, George Square will host a new Good Times Christmas Village from late November.

The local authority said the square’s full programme will be revealed closer to the time, but revellers can expect food and drink offerings and festive light displays.

Meanwhile, Christmas markets will return to St Enoch Square, despite a dispersal zone remaining in place in the area until December.

The zone was implemented this year in response to anti-social behaviour and concerns over drug dealing.

The zone allows Police Scotland officers to ban groups of two or more people from the area for 24 hours and covers Union Street, St Enoch Square and the Four Corners.

Meanwhile, Glasgow Green Winter Wonderland, which debuted last year, will also welcome visitors from late next month.

Glasgow City Council said the new approach to its festive calendar moves away from the one-off, switch-on events of the past, and towards a series of Christmas celebrations.

The local authority said that although half of the city’s population applied for tickets to the previous Christmas lights switch-on, only 4% could ever attend because of the Square’s constraints.

Councillor Ricky Bell, leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “Christmas is a season of magical moments, shared experiences and special memories. And this year, Glasgow is offering even more.

“The Christmas countdown will soon be under way, and Glaswegians and visitors can look forward to a much wider and even more exciting programme of events, attractions and family experiences right across the city centre and throughout November and December.

“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.”