This is an archive of the NMS website

Get festive and take part in a Christmas event at our museums

National Museum of Scotland

Celebrate Christmas this year with Shining Lights, choirs, bells, ceilidh and art competition.

Christmas Shining Lights

Date: Sun 5 December
Location: Hawthornden Court
Time: 12:00-16:00
Cost: Free (drop-in)

Take inspiration from our Shining Lights exhibition to create your own dazzling decoration for your Christmas tree with artist-jeweller Dorothy Hogg MBE. All materials are provided.

Christmas Choirs

Date: Sun 12 December
Location: Hawthornden Court
Times: 13:45/14:45/15:45 (30 mins)
Cost: Free

Add your voice to an afternoon of festive concerts. Sing along with local choirs, including the Edinburgh University Renaissance singers and the Edinburgh Youth Choir.

Christmas Bells

Date: Sun 19 December
Location: Hawthornden Court
Times: 12:45/13:45/14:45 (20 mins)
Cost: Free

Join the Parish of Dunkeld handbell ringers as they fill the Museum with festive chimes and cheer.

Christmas Art Competition

Date: Mon 27-Thu 30 December
Location: Hawthornden Court
Times: 10:00-17:00
Cost: Free (drop-in)

Our popular art competition is back! Explore the National Museum of Scotland galleries and our Shining Lights exhibition to find a favourite object to draw or paint. Paper, pencils and drawing boards are provided in this challenge suitable for all ages and abilities. If you wish to use colour please bring your own materials

Hogmany Family Ceilidh

Date: Fri 31 December
Location: Hawthornden Court
Time: 14:00 (1.5hrs)
Cost: Free

Join the Canongate Cadgers Ceilidh Band for a lively, fun afternoon of traditional music, song and dance to bring in the New Year. It's enthusiasm not experience that counts!

National Museum of Rural Life

Christmas Fair & Foal Show

Date: Sun 12 December
Time:10:00-17:00
Cost: Adult £7, Conc. £6, Child 12 and under free, National Museum Scotland members free.

Find plenty of festive spirit at our Christmas Fair. Gorgeous Shetland foals and donkeys always steal the show! Make your own Yuletide pomander or play traditional Christmas parlour games at the farmhouse. Try some indoor curling or learn how to prepare Scottish Christmas foods. Santa Claus is nearby, warming himself at the hearth just waiting to meet you.

National Museum of Flight

Supersonic Christmas

Date: Sat 18-Sun 19 December
Time:12:00-16:00
Cost: Child £5. Normal museum admission applies for others. Adult £9/ Conc. £7. National Museums Scotland members free.

Come and meet Santa in his plane for a sky-high Christmas. Take part in festive aviation activity and receive a gift from Santa!