Boxing Day 2024 in Scotland

Ancient traditions remain alive, though a bit different from the past. The day after Christmas, that is December 26, also known as St. Stephen's Day, was the day when Lords and Ladies gave out their old possessions to their staff. The gifts included anything from food to clothes and instruments. Since everything was presented in boxes, the feast was called "Boxing Day." Nowadays, such a nice tradition is substituted with another one—modern Boxing Day marks the beginning of the winter sales season or post-Christmas sales.

Where to Celebrate Boxing Day in Edinburgh & Glasgow

Boxing Day is your chance to purchase some precious things for low prices. We recommend visiting the largest cities, such as Edinburgh and Glasgow, for the greatest variety of shopping opportunities. Edinburgh welcomes shoppers to Princes Street, the shopping hub of the capital, filled to the brim with shops with festively decorated storefronts. With a great selection of stores, Ocean Terminal is also worth checking out. One of the more recent additions to the shopping scene of Edinburgh, the St. James Quarter invites visitors to splurge on a variety of clothing brands, dine in stylish restaurants, and enjoy the festive atmosphere.

If you find yourself in Glasgow on Boxing Day, be sure to visit local shopping hubs to take advantage of the deals. Glasgow Station offers several shopping opportunities for those just arriving in the city, while St. Enoch centre is filled with a wide range of retailers. To visit some flagship stores, consider swinging by the Buchanan Galleries or Princes Square Shopping Centre.

Holiday Season in Scotland

When traveling to Scotland during this time of year, take into account that public transport operates on special timetables. Besides, Boxing Day is a bank holiday. Most shops and shopping centers close for Christmas holidays but reopen for Boxing Day. So people use this day off to visit family and friends, which means bus, train, and plane services are particularly busy.