There’s something rather magical about Christmas on the Isles of Scilly.
While the mainland gets swept up in the usual festive rush, the islands settle into a gentler rhythm. Think winter walks beside the sea, cosy fires, community carols, wild Atlantic skies and beaches that feel wonderfully empty. Add in a little island tradition - and perhaps a New Year’s Day dip for the brave, and you have a festive break quite unlike any other.
For Christmas and New Year, St. Mary's and Tresco offer two different ways to experience Scilly in winter: St. Mary’s brings the buzz of island life, while Tresco combines peaceful coastal adventures with plenty of festive cheer.
Your Festive Guide to the Isles of Scilly:
- Discover the Magic of Christmas on Tresco
- Welcome to New Year at The New Inn
- Get into the Christmas Spirit with Festive Carols
- Step Back in Time With an Archaeology Walk
- Discover Scilly's Winter Walking Tides
- Experience Christmas on St. Mary's
- Celebrate at the Christmas Festival on Scilly
- Festive Happenings at The Old Town Inn
- Take the Plunge with a Scilly New Year Swim
Image credits: Tresco Island
Discover the Magic of Christmas on Tresco
Tresco has its own special kind of Christmas wonder.
Winter brings a peacefulness to the island, with wide-open beaches, dramatic skies and the sound of the sea providing the soundtrack. But don't mistake quiet for sleepy: there’s still plenty happening throughout the festive season.
Image credits: Tresco Island
Ring in the New Year at The New Inn
At the heart of Tresco’s Christmas celebrations is The New Inn, where islanders and visitors come together for good food, festive drinks and plenty of seasonal spirit.
And when it comes to New Year’s Eve, things get a little more lively.
See out 2026 and welcome 2027 with live music from The Pie Trio and a 'Rockstars and Popstars' fancy dress theme. It’s a chance to swap the Christmas jumper for something a little more show-stopping, dance your way into the new year and celebrate in true island style. The New Inn is the hub of Tresco throughout winter, bringing together guests and islanders for the festivities.
Book your New Year stay at The New Inn for 28th December - 2nd January and enjoy 5 nights' Bed & Breakfast, a welcome drink at reception on your first evening, access to the Island Spa and Tresco Abbey Garden, and on-island transfers to and from your accommodation. Call 01720 422849 to book your stay for £680pp.
Image credit: St Nicholas Church
Get into the Christmas Spirit with Festive Carols
Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without a little singing.
Head to St. Nicholas Church for Christmas carols, where familiar festive favourites take on an extra-special feel surrounded by the peaceful island landscape. There are also opportunities to join in at The New Inn, bringing that unmistakable Scillonian sense of community to the celebrations.
Step Back in Time With an Archaeology Walk
Tresco's story stretches back thousands of years, and winter is a wonderful time to discover some of it.
Join Dr Katherine Sawyer, local archaeologist and guide, for an archaeology walk exploring some of the island's fascinating prehistoric and historic sites. Routes can take in ancient burial chambers, Bronze Age settlements, old castles and other hidden pieces of Tresco's past.
For those who like their Christmas walks with a little more history, it's a chance to see a very different side of the island.
Explore all guided tours on Scilly here.
Image credit: Claire Moir
Walk Between the Islands
And then there’s one of Scilly’s most extraordinary natural phenomena: Walking Tides.
At exceptionally low spring tides, the sea retreats to reveal sandbars and shallows between Tresco and Bryher, creating a temporary route across the channel. In 2026, Walking Tides fall on Christmas Day, 25 December at 11:44 am, and Boxing Day, 26 December at 12:34 pm.
It’s a remarkable sight - and an unforgettable way to experience the landscape. Of course, the sea is always in charge, so anyone considering a crossing should check local conditions and tide advice before setting out.
Visiting in spring or autumn? Don't miss the Tresco Low Tide events - a mini pop-up festival on the seabed between Bryher and Tresco.
Be sure to check out the Tresco events calendar for more information and events as they pop up closer to the festive season.
Image credit: Tom Young
Christmas on St. Mary’s
As the largest of the inhabited islands, St. Mary's is the natural place to begin your festive Scilly adventure. Hugh Town takes on a particularly special atmosphere at Christmas, with the island community coming together to celebrate the season.
Image credits: Tom Young
Get into the Festive Spirit at the Christmas Festival on Scilly
Christmas on St. Mary’s gets off to a magical start with the annual Christmas Festival, bringing the island community together for an evening of festive fun.
At the heart of the celebrations is the Christmas lights switch-on, transforming the island into a festive wonderland. Live music and carolling, festive stalls, seasonal crafts, and food and drink create a wonderful atmosphere as the community comes together to celebrate the start of the festive season.
Whether you're browsing the stalls, enjoying the entertainment or simply soaking up the Christmas spirit, the festival is a lovely opportunity to experience island life at its most festive.
The event captures the community spirit that makes Christmas on Scilly so special, with islanders, local businesses and the St. Mary’s Christmas Lights Group helping to bring a little festive magic to the island.
Save the date! The Christmas Festival on Scilly returns on 4 December, bringing the island together for an evening of festive fun, Christmas lights and community spirit.
Festive Happenings at The Old Town Inn
There’s plenty of festive fun on the calendar at The Old Town Inn on St. Mary’s this Christmas, from live theatre and music-filled evenings to seasonal celebrations for all ages.
Catch 'A Christmas Carol', a live theatre production with David Mynne, on 28 November at 8 pm, then head along to the Christmas Market and Santa’s Grotto on Saturday 5 December for a little festive cheer. On 19 December at 7.30 pm, enjoy Christmas-themed Musingo – live music bingo with an extra twist in support of the local Fire Service! There’s also the Christmas Eve Jam, from 3 pm until late, and a New Year’s Eve Party on 31 December to round off the year in style.
And that’s just the start – there’s plenty more happening at The Old Town Inn throughout the festive season.
For tickets and full event details, visit The Old Town Inn’s website.
Image credit: PT Creative
Start the New Year With a Splash
Why not embrace the fresh start with a bracing dip in the Atlantic?
For those feeling adventurous, head to the beach and take the plunge on New Year’s Day. It’s a memorable way to kick off the year, surrounded by Scilly’s beautiful winter coastline - just be sure to have something warm waiting for you when you’re back on dry land!
It’s a simple way to embrace the outdoors and make the most of Scilly’s beautiful coastline in winter. And if a January dip isn’t quite your thing, there are plenty of other ways to start the year - from a peaceful coastal walk to watching the first winter light over the islands.
For more ways to get out and explore Scilly’s spectacular winter landscapes, discover our active and outdoors experiences.
However you spend it, Christmas in Scilly offers something increasingly precious: time to pause, breathe and enjoy the simple things. And with the Atlantic all around you, there's no better place to make a little festive magic of your own.
