Revel in the Christmas spirit with our round-up of the best festive markets and fairs
Tis the season to go shopping, and with Christmas just around the corner, there’s plenty of that to be getting on with. So go against the grain of rampant corporate consumerism and explore some local Christmas fairs and markets this festive season.

In Glasgow, the Urban Market Christmas (Sun 3 Dec, Drygate Brewing Co) promises a relaxed day of shopping for botanicals and beers, while the Festive Art, Design & Contemporary Craft Market(Sun Dec 10, Kibble Palace) means you can shop weird and wonderful stalls for homemade terrariums and gifts to tickle green fingers. Elsewhere, the Glasgow Charities Christmas Fayre (Tue Nov 14, Glasgow City Chambers) lets you give back to the local community while searching for that special gift, or if you’re up for something bigger, the Country Living Magazine Christmas Fair (Thu 23–Sat 25 Nov, SEC) allows you to choose from more than 300 exhibitors punting crafts, home and garden accessories, clothing and jewellery (plus a range of demonstrations and tastings each day).

To the east, Edinburgh’s Christmas (Fri 17 Nov–Sat 6 Jan, George Street & East Princes Street Gardens) is your stalwart go-to for your traditional European Christmas market, to stock up on unique trinkets and crafts while you enjoy a warming glühwein, or nip to Summerhall Christmas Market (Sun 10 Dec, Summerhall) for locally sourced and fairtrade food, drink, crafts, art and jewellery, with Summerhall Singers providing a festive soundtrack. Edinburgh Steiner School Christmas Market (Sat 25 Nov, Edinburgh Steiner School) offers storytelling, games and performances for young ‘uns while parents deal with the gift side of thing, or, for all your food and drink needs over the Christmas period, Foodies Festival Christmas (Fri 24 Nov–Sun 26 Nov, EICC) dishes up three days of producers, tastings, demonstrations, seasonal produce, and the best advice on food-related Christmas presents.