Accessible Winter Activities and Events in Scotland

Here is a round up of winter activities that are inclusive and accessible for families of disabled and additional needs children across Scotland.

Events include relaxed Santa visits, sensory play, accessible film showings, craft sessions, silent discos, ASN friendly theatre, ice skating, Christmas parties and more.

The list has been organised alphabetically by region to make it easier to find events local to you. We do not have direct experience of any of these events, so to find out more about whether it is suitable for your family, we suggest contacting the organiser directly or checking out the accessibility information at Euan’s Guide.

Aberdeen city and Aberdeenshire

• Santa Claus is returning to Aberdeen! From Saturday the 15th of November to Christmas Eve, visit Santa and his elves at the Bon Accord Centre. Relaxed Session Sunday 30^th November: Santa’s Workshop 2025 Sponsored by Bilfinger – Buy tickets
• We Too! Inclusive relaxed sessions in North East of Scotland. A range of winter activities including Elf School (including Dads takeover session!); Anime Art Academy, Ice Skating, Gymnastics, lego, santa grotto and storytelling sessions.  To book visit Wee Too!
• Innoflate – Relaxed ASN Inflatable sessions.  First Monday of every month. Inclusive session: wheelchair access allowed, calm atmosphere, designed for ASN children. Relaxed ASN Aberdeen – An Inclusive Inflatable Session – Innoflate

Argyll and Bute

• Helensburgh Festival of Light including Winter Wonderland. What’s On – Destination Helensburgh
• Oban Winter Festival – various events throughout winter including RNLI open day and Oban Tractor Run Oban Winter Festival Home – Oban Winter Festival

Ayrshire

• Sense Scotland Connect & Play Christmas Party. Saturday, 13 December | TouchBase Ayrshire, 11-1pm Book now at https://ow.ly/lM2p50XooFA. Join the Early Years team for a Christmas Party! Drop-in any time between 11am and 1pm and take part in Christmas activities. These sessions are suitable for children aged 0 – 12 with communication and sensory support needs, their siblings, and families.

City of Edinburgh

• Winter Family Trail – Following the route around the museums, find the eight snow-people hidden throughout the galleries and answer each of their music-related questions to win a Winter-Themed Sticker. Open 10am until 4pm from Saturday 15th November to Saturday 20th December at St Cecilia’s Hall , Concert Room & Music Museum , 50 Niddry Street  , EH1 1LG  St Cecilia’s Hall website 
• Gilmerton Library -Free Christmas Movies Sat 29^th Nov, 6^th, 13^th and 20^th December (20) Facebook
• Bumps and Bairns – A group open to families living within EH6/EH7 with at least one child under the age of 10 months. Have a chat and a cup of tea with other families at Dr Bells. Meet other expectant parents and those with babies up to the age of nine months. Sensory Play session on Monday 2 December from 10am to 11.30am  Make a Christmas keepsake for your baby’s first Christmas on Monday 9 December from 10am to 11.30am.  Dr Bells Family Centre, 15 Junction Place  , EH6 5JA , Dr Bell’s Family Centre – Bumps and Bairns October – December 25 Tickets, Multiple Dates | Eventbrite
• Friday Friends. For d/deaf children and their families and Visually impaired children and their families who attend mainstream schools. Usually every Friday 2-4pm Rotates between 3 city venues. 
• Christmas Canal Cruises with Seagull Trust – 1^st to 16^th December, Ratho
• Sensory Friendly Supper with Santa. Ikea Edinburgh. Wednesdays 10^th and 17^th December, 5pm and 6pm slots. To register create and login to an Ikea account. IKEA Edinburgh Event – SENSORY FRIENDLY Supper with Santa
• Family-friendly fun at the Scottish Parliament. Crafternoons offer a range of FREE activities for all ages! Every Saturday during December (except 27^th) between 11am and 4pm. There’s no need to book, just walk in and join the sessions at a time that suits you. For more information about our Crafternoons, contact us at [email protected].
• The Yard Christmas Parties. Our Christmas parties are coming to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Fife with games, festive activities. For members and their families only. Dates and booking information 

Clackmannanshire

Play Alloa – ASN After School Group. Year round https://www.playalloa.co.uk/childrens-activities

Dumfries and Galloway

Babes In the Woods, 6 December 3pm Catstrand, High Street, Castle Douglas . Aladdin, 7 December 4pm theatre Royal, Dumfries. Alice in Pantoland, 8 December 7pm , Ryan Centre, Stranraer. Events open to members only.  For more information visit Parents Inclusion Network

Dundee

• Leisure and Culture Dundee Events https://www.leisureandculturedundee.com/events/category/176
• Dundee & Angus ADHD Support Group Christmas Bingo Night Fundraiser! Evening of fun, laughter, and prizes at the Group Bingo Night! Thursday, December 11th, 6:30pm Doors open. Dundee and Angus ADHD Support Group, Unit 12 Manhattan Works, Dundonald Street, DD3 7PY. Entry: Adults – £2  Children – £1  If you would like seats reserved email [email protected]
• The Yard Christmas Parties. Our Christmas parties are coming to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Fife with games, festive activities. For members and their families only. Dates and booking information  https://theyardscotland.org.uk/christmas-parties/
• Winter Westfest Thursday 27th November, Perth Road. Miller’s Wynd car park will be illuminated with festive lights and projections. Santa Claus will also be stopping by on his sleigh to spread some Christmas cheer. Blackness Library will also host children’s stories and there will be an illuminated display at St Peter’s Church.

East Lothian

• STAND – Sensory Stay and Play. 14 December, 10am and 11am, Port Seton Community Centre, Port Seton ASN Sensory Stay and Play by STAND | Eventbrite
• John Muir Alpacas. Alpaca trekking and events all year. John Muir Alpacas – Alpaca trekking and experiences near Dunbar and Edinburgh, Scotland

Fife

• Hyperclub Christmas Party 17 December.  Places Limited. Lochgelly https://www.hyper-club.org.uk/services
• Nourish Support Centre Christmas Workshops for all
• Lochore Meadows Country Park – Adaptive Equipment year round. https://active.fife.scot/…/adventure…/adaptive-equipment
• The Yard Christmas Parties. Our Christmas parties are coming to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Fife with games, festive activities. For members and their families only. Dates and booking information –  https://theyardscotland.org.uk/

Glasgow

• Brick Lane Music Academy. Register for ASN Music sessions for the New Year! ASN Workshops from age 0- 15. Brick Lane Music Academy | Brick Lane Paisley
• The Boardwalk, Glasgow. Festive Christmas movie family favourites this December! Polar Express (11am), The Blues Brothers (7pm). Both on Sunday, December 21 @ The Boardwalk, 105 Brunswick Street, Glasgow, G1 1TF. Tickets are £5.  Popcorn & snacks available to buy. The Boardwalk is a social enterprise events venue, run by Scottish community arts charity Impact Arts.  For tickets visit: https://events.humanitix.com/host/the-boardwalk-glasgow
• Indepen-dance Inclusive Dance Company. Opportunities for inclusive dance throughout the year https://www.indepen-dance.org.uk
• Reidvale Adventure Play – Year round – https://www.rapa.org.uk
• Sense Scotland -Connect & Play Christmas Party, Join the Early Years team for a Christmas Party! Drop-in any time between 11am and 1pm and take part in Christmas activities. These sessions are suitable for children aged 0 – 12 with communication and sensory support needs, their siblings, and families. Sunday, 14 December | TouchBase Glasgow 11-1.30pm Book now at https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/…/christmas-party…
• Glasgow Winter WonderlandGlasgow Green, 5 December 6pm
• Cinder-Fella ASN Friendly session with Folksy Theatre Company. Cinder’s Fella – A Folksy Mini Panto at The Festive Big Top Live! At Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland on the Green – ASN SESSIONS – Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland
• ASN Ice Skating Session. Friday 5^th December, 2pm, Glasgow Green. Ice Skating at Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland on the Green – ASN SESSIONS – Glasgow’s Winter Wonderland
• The Yard Christmas Parties. Our Christmas parties are coming to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Fife with games, festive activities. For members and their families only. Dates and booking information 

Highland

Disability and Multi Sports Clubs Culloden https://booking.highlifehighland.com/

SNAP Inverness Christmas Spectacular. December 17^th, 6.30pm Smithton church, Inverness. Crafts, Hot drinks, choir and raffle. To book   https://bookwhen.com/snapinverness…

Na h-Eileanan Siar (Western Isles)

Aline Community Woodland, Isle of Lewis. https://www.adventurewheels.co.uk/…/aline-community…

Orkney

• Family Sensory Friendly Swim Sessions and Accessible Film Screenings throughout the year. The Pickaquoy Centre | Sports, Arts, Leisure, Conferences in Orkney
• Palace Players Rumpelstilskin Relaxed Performance, Orkney Theatre. Tuesday 9 December, 6.30pm. Tickets available from Jude’s Fabric and Joke Shop in Kirkwall

North Lanarkshire and Lanarkshire

• Play Peace. Year round support for ASN kids and families. Home- Supporting ASN kids in Lanarkshire
• M&D Theme Park ASN and BSL events including ice skating ASN / BSL News | Scotland’s Theme Park
• Believe In Santa – ASN | Scotland’s Theme Park
• Disco Buddies for adults with disabilities and additional support needs. Coatbridge and East Kilbride. Various dates including an Elvis Tribute night on 19^th December!
• Lanarkshire Deaf Hub HANDS UP (Family group) Christmas Party. Friday 12 December, 10am to 1pm. Christmas Games and fun with the Elf. Open to Hands Up members, including children and young people aged 0 to 6 with hearing loss or deafness, as well as extended family members. Limited places. Email [email protected]

Perth and Kinross

SHIP – support and activities for children with additional support needs including holiday clubs. https://www.ship-perthshire.co.uk

Renfrewshire

• Upcycling and festive craft sessions for adults. Glenburn Library Tuesdays 3-4.30pm. Christmas card making for adults 3 December, 10-11.30am, Paisley Central Library. Limited Places.  To book tel: 0300 300 1188 or email [email protected]
• The Great Christmas Adventure. OneRen are working  in partnership with the Autastic Club to bring a Magical Winter Wonderland experience to the ASN Community. Sunday 14th December, 1pm till 4pm, Paisley Town Hall. ASN access 12pm.  Doors open to the general public at 12.30pm. Cost . To book visit The Great Christmas Adventure.
• GLOW Creative Classes for Young People with additional support needs. 10^th and 17^th December, various times
  The Paisley Centre, 23 High Street, Paisley, PA1 2AQ. https://www.whatsonrenfrewshire.co.uk/event/134668-glow—creative-classes-for-young-people-with-asn/
   

Scottish Borders

• Meeting of Minds Silent Disco. Dec 13 3pm-5pm Ednam Village Hall. POP UP EVENT- Christmas Silent Disco Party Tickets, Sat, Dec 13, 2025 at 3:00 PM | Eventbrite

West Lothian

• Boness and Kinneil Railway – Santa Steam Trains. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 23 and 24^th December. Round trip by steam train departing from Bo’ness Railway station with Santa and entertainment. Check with provider re wheelchair accessible coaches. To book Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway
• The Hippodrome, Bo’ness. Saturday 6 December, 12.30pm. Grow – An exuberant film full of giant pumpkins, madcap characters, and a little girl who just might be a pumpkin-growing savant.  This relaxed screening has been adapted to be more welcoming and accessible. To book visit Hippodrome Cinema Bo’ness
• Chrous West Lothian Toy Giveaway. From 12noon – 4pm on Saturday, 29 November at ASN-friendly centre based at 14C Glasgow Road, Bathgate. The take-what-you-need event will involve zero forms and zero questions – just pop along, browse and help yourself to anything to help bring a smile to a child this Christmas.
• Carers of West Lothian. Lego Session for whole family. Friday 5 December 2-4pm Lego Session — Carers of West Lothian

Scotland-wide

Play Scotland. Year round play ideas https://www.playscotland.org/

Autism friendly and captioned cinema screenings available throughout Scotland: https://accessiblescreeningsuk.co.uk/

Impact Arts – parent and child therapeutic art sessions throughout the year including Renfrewshire, Falkirk and North Lanarkshire. Art Wise – Impact Arts Runs until the end of December but worth registering for sessions in the New Year.

A big thank you to our volunteer, Jordan, who kindly researched and pulled together this list of inclusive activities for the winter break.