Christmas in Glasgow is getting a Latin American twist this year, as El Santo in the Merchant City unveils a festive calendar filled with live music, fiesta nights, seasonal menus and some very boozy winter cocktails. Warm, inclusive and magical are the words the team behind the Latin American restaurant has chosen to describe this year’s celebrations, with events running from 26 November through to 20 December.

Since opening in 2022, El Santo has been building a concept it calls “Casa”, meaning “home”, with the aim of creating a space that feels welcoming whether you’re gathering with family, meeting friends or simply looking for somewhere to feel part of the city at Christmas.

“Glasgow’s multiculturalism is among its most attractive qualities, hosting both traditional celebrations and unexpected experiences,” said Ester McGonigle, El Santo’s Marketing Manager.

“It is important that our thriving Glaswegian community understands what “Casa” stands for. Maybe you are far from home. Perhaps you don’t have a family of your own. Or you have just arrived in Glasgow and haven’t made friends yet, or you think you are too old to make them,” she said.

“We believe in people, and in how they make this city and its community unique. We want to be a home where people can meet, eat, laugh, drink and thrive.”

This year, the festive season at Casa begins early on 26 November, with events running from Thursday to Sunday every week until 20 December. “Our themed nights will celebrate every way of being festive, from jazz and blues, to salsa fiestas, so there is something for everyone,” said Ester.

The menus have also been designed with inclusivity in mind, with vegetarian and halal options available throughout the festive season. “El Santo wants to be the home of Latin American culture in Glasgow, and that means being a home for everyone. That is why we included vegetarian and halal options in our festive season: to embrace the large part of the city’s population that might feel left out at this time of year. We believe it gives them a chance to experience our traditions and feel part of them. The meaning is the same; we have simply translated it into some new ‘languages’,” Ester explained.

Alongside the food, El Santo is also preparing a new festive cocktail menu, launching on 13 November. And if the idea of a cosy winter drink with a little more kick sounds appealing, that is very much the point. “It will be impossible to have just one. Everyone knows the cold months set the perfect mood for warm, cosy drinks, but what if we made them boozy?” said Ester.

Food menus range from lunch deals starting at £19.95 per person for small plates through to the four-course Festive Menu at £45 per person, which includes El Santo’s signature flame-grilled picanha brasileira. Brazilian head chef Juliana Kipper leads the kitchen, with the restaurant continuing to centre Latin American flavours throughout its festive offering.

Behind the main restaurant sits El Santito, El Santo’s sister venue and home to its fiesta nights. The space has its own bar and staff and is also available for private bookings, including office Christmas parties, birthdays and gatherings with family or friends, with catering and drinks packages available.

For anyone who can’t make it along during the festive season, gift vouchers are also available online and in the restaurant, with physical versions available for anyone who still likes an actual present to unwrap.

Reflecting on the importance of the season, Ester added: “Christmas is the highlight of the Latin American calendar, a time for nostalgia, family and hope. We believe we have planned a festive season at El Santo that allows Glasgow to experience the hospitality Latinos are known for.”

Between salsa nights, festive cocktails, plenty of food and the whole idea of creating a home away from home, El Santo’s Christmas calendar sounds like a very Glasgow way of doing the festive season: bring everyone in, feed them well and make sure nobody leaves without having a good time.

El Santo’s festive programme runs from 26 November to 20 December 2026 at its Merchant City restaurant in Glasgow. Bookings, menus and gift vouchers are available via the El Santo website.