An Edinburgh Christmas Guide: 2025 (Events, Travel Tips)

Last Updated on 1st September 2025 by Charlotte Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

Christmas is a time of magic, connecting with loved ones and experiencing the joys of walking around elaborate festive displays with a warming cup of cocoa or mulled wine in hand. Edinburgh is an enchanting and cosy city, so what better place to enjoy the Christmas season than in Scotland’s fairytale capital? Here’s your guide to a Christmas in Edinburgh, as well as travel tips and the various events going on!

Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025 dates: November 15th to January 4th 2026

Christmas in Scotland

The terms Yule or Yuletide have been used in the Scots language, to refer to the festive period, since the Middle Ages. Scotland celebrates the ‘yule vacations’ by drawing on plenty of traditions which can be found in Europe and the West.

Decorating both a fir tree and the house with lights and festive ornaments, eating mince pies, singing carols and gift-giving is for the most part how Scottish people celebrate. However, what many people don’t realise is that Scotland banned Christmas for almost four centuries.

During the Scottish Reformation, the country adopted Protestant views and by 1640, the Scottish Parliament had passed a law that made celebrating Christmas day illegal (which was punishable by imprisonment).

Any kind of festivities were essentially frowned upon and outlawed for centuries. In fact, it wasn’t until 1958 that the 25th of December officially became a Scottish public holiday.

Today, Christmas is widely celebrated, and the cities of Scotland are bathed in a warming glow of lights and festive displays for all to enjoy. And, when Santa Claus does his rounds on Christmas Eve, he’ll often find a tipple of whisky awaiting him!

Best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmastime

Edinburgh Christmas Market

The delicious scent of traditional market foods and mulled wine wafts through the air, drawing in the noses of unsuspecting passers-by. Though it has to be said, the neon glow and crowds of the market are pretty hard to miss.

Edinburgh’s Christmas market takes place on an annual basis and typically runs from mid-November to the beginning of January. It is usually divided into four distinctive areas, all of which are within walking distance from one another. (Please note, the market layout can change from year to year)

The Christmas market can get super busy as many people dream of visiting the Gothic Scottish capital city come the festive season. The busiest times are on the weekends, but it tends to be fairly crowded all throughout the time it’s open.

East Princes Street Gardens (main market)

This is the largest area of the Christmas market and is found next to the Scott Monument in the east of Princes Street Gardens. Here, you can find delicious food and drink, stalls selling handcrafted goods, gifts and decorations, as well as a few funfair rides including the huge Ferris wheel. The market is similar to that of the typical German Christmas markets.

There are two amazing viewpoints you can visit in this area of the Christmas market, the first being the Ferris wheel which rotates gently around and boasts views of Edinburgh’s historic Old Town. The other is slightly less gentle and more terrifying to be precise; a chair swing ride which takes you nearly as high as the Scott Monument itself swirls around and, at points, you feel like you might fly into the Gothic structure!

West Princes Street Gardens (family funfair)

Situated at the foot of Edinburgh Castle by the beautiful Ross Fountain is a small area filled with family-friendly rides and attractions which are well suited for younger children.

George Street (ice rink)

On the street running parallel to Princes Street, the road is usually closed off, and it becomes a pedestrian Christmas market filled with sheltered bars, artisan stalls, a few vintage rides and the main event, an ice rink.

St Andrews Square (‘Festival of Kindness’)

St Andrews Square is located at the east end of George Street and is a small gated-off area which is home to various attractions including a cinema showing festive films, a huge Christmas tree and several other decorations.

This area of the Christmas market takes its name from the fact that people can show an act of kindness by leaving a gift under the tree to help someone homeless and vulnerable who won’t be having the same yuletide.

As a local, it’s worth mentioning that I’ve witnessed huge changes in Edinburgh’s Christmas market and noticed that many local sellers have been pushed out as the costs of renting a stall have become so expensive. While the Christmas market still brings the spirit of joy and festivities, it’s definitely more commercialised than in previous times.

The light show at Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens

Edinburgh’s Botanic Gardens is one of the most magical places to visit during the festive season! Each year the sights and sounds of Christmas come to life as a light show, where a colourful display of neon glow and projections illuminate the gardens.

Transformed into a winter wonderland, this enchanting after-dark experience is a fun way to spend an evening with family or friends. Although it has to be said the tickets are on the pricier side, I would say it’s definitely worth visiting as there’s so much to see, and you can read small snippets about each light installation and the artist behind the work. It takes around 1 hour and there are usually stalls selling hot chocolate and small snacks to enjoy along the way.

Visit a Christmas shop

There are two Christmas shops which can be found along the Royal Mile in the heart of the city, both for which the festive season lasts all year long. Any time of the year you can visit, feel the spirit of Christmas and purchase a beautiful festive ornament or decoration. Though, you’ve got to wonder what it must be like to work in a place where it’s Christmas quite literally all the time…

See decorations at The Dome

Somewhere in the city you can always count on having elaborate Christmas decorations is The Dome, Edinburgh’s famous (and fancy) bar and restaurant. The outside stone columns are often adorned with Christmas swags, lights and small festive figures like the nutcracker are placed in the exterior arching windows.

Inside, you can see one of the most impressive Christmas trees in Edinburgh! Each year a 26-foot Christmas tree is magically squeezed through and sits at the heart of the building, lighting up the room and reaching to the very dome that makes this building so iconic. It’s a beautiful place to enjoy a Christmas treat and sip on a mulled wine or festive cocktail.

The Polar Express

For those familiar with the beloved 2004 animated Christmas film featuring the voice of Tom Hanks, you’ll likely know what to expect. For those who don’t know, The Polar Express is an experience where they bring this magical adventure of a train journey to life through a fun re-enactment.

This thrilling and theatrical experience is especially popular with younger children, but fun for all ages! Along the train ride, you are gifted with a small present from Santa himself, as well as serving a delicious hot hot hot chocolate. Check prices and ticket availability here

Celebrating Hogmanay in Edinburgh

Hogmanay (pronounced  “hog-muh-nay”) is the Scots word for ‘the last day of the old year’ and is the Scottish celebration of welcoming in the New Year!

One of the biggest parties in the city takes the form of a street party which spans the length of Princes Street. Revellers from all corners of the globe purchase a ticket to this event and enjoy an array of live music and the fireworks display at midnight, bursting from Edinburgh Castle which dominates the skyline.

In true Scottish fashion, you’ll find almost every pub full to the brim with locals and tourists alike enjoying recounting tales of the year and looking forward to the next.

Another great spot to base yourself for views of the fireworks as they splash colour into the night sky is either up the hills of the Salisbury Crags (beside Arthur’s Seat) or on the Meadows.

Getting there and travelling around

Edinburgh’s public transport system is underrated! It easily has one of the simplest bus services to use thanks to the fact that the city is connected via one bus company, Lothian Buses.

Both major train railway stations, Waverly and Haymarket, are within walking distance from the heart of Edinburgh. If travelling from the airport, you can either take the City Skylink bus service or the tram which runs through to the North of Edinburgh.

Where to stay in Edinburgh

In Edinburgh, as with many places come Christmas time, you can usually expect the price to be hiked up, making it a more expensive time to visit. However, there are plenty of great options when it comes to choosing where to stay, and they vary between affordable and luxury. Here are some suggestions (based on web reviews):

(Budget) Castle Rock Hostel: Set in a 19th-century building, this quirky and vibrant hostel sits almost directly beside (albeit down a flight of stairs) Edinburgh Castle and is the perfect location for those who are visiting the city and trying to see a lot in a little time. Seconds away from the Royal Mile, shops, eateries and pubs, this is one of the most popular hostels in the city. Check prices and availability here.

(Mid-range) Hotel Ibis Styles: For those familiar with the Ibis Chain, the brand’s synonymity with cleanliness and good service is probably a given. I’ve stayed in various Ibis Hotels over the years and always found them to be a great place from which to explore the city. Check prices and availability here.

(Luxury) The Balmoral: For those looking for a true taste of luxury in the heart of the city, The Balmoral is synonymous with charm and elegance. It’s even in one of the suites in this five-star hotel where JK Rowling finished the Harry Potter series! Local legend suggests that the author signed her name on one of the pieces of furniture! Check prices and availability here.

Haystack Hostel 

Enjoyed reading our guide to Christmas in Edinburgh? Pin this article now, and read it again later: