Although the days are getting shorter in the UK as we enter winter time, Christmas-themed events in Edinburgh are coming soon! Edinburgh’s Christmas markets are a speciality. In the city centre of St Andrew Square and East Chalmers Street, the Christmas Market is set up every year with a wide range of goods and food, attracting thousands of tourists to come sightseeing and shopping. At the markets, you can buy a wide range of crafts, Christmas gifts, delicious traditional food, mulled wine, and sweet Christmas treats, perfect for a day out with friends or family. Find out more about the Edinburgh Christmas Market, including open dates, locations, events and more!
Why Edinburgh Christmas Market is a Must-Visit
The Edinburgh Christmas Market has been voted the best in the UK for 3 years. The world-famous Edinburgh Christmas celebrations bring festive cheer to the entire Scottish capital. The city’s streets are adorned with beautiful wreaths and Christmas lights, and many families travel from far and wide to admire one of the largest decorated trees in the UK, the city centre.
There are also a number of festive celebrations, including a spectacular light show in Princes Street Gardens, where more than 1,000 lights are illuminated during the Festival of Lights. With over 70 stalls spread across different areas and delicious markets ranging from warm milk cakes to vegan hog roasts, Harry Potter-themed gifts and local artisan products, the Christmas Market at East Princes Street Gardens is a stunning event with something for everyone! Over Christmas, visitors can soak up Edinburgh’s medieval charm, including the spectacular medieval castle, cobbled streets and more.
Edinburgh Christmas Market Opening Times
Edinburgh’s Christmas Market 2024 is open from Friday, 15 November 2024, to Saturday, 04 January 2025. Edinburgh’s Christmas Market will run for seven weeks, offering festive fun for all, including a traditional Christmas market, fairground rides, and spectacular live. There are four Christmas markets in Edinburgh, Scotland: East Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market, West Princes Street Gardens, Family Funfair, George Street West & Castle Street and St Andrew Square Winter Garden; opening times vary.
4 Popular Edinburgh Christmas Markets
The Edinburgh Christmas Market has been voted the best Christmas market in the UK for 3 years. The world-famous Edinburgh Christmas celebrations bring festive cheer to the entire Scottish capital. The city’s streets are adorned with beautiful wreaths and Christmas lights, and many families travel from far and wide to admire one of the largest decorated trees in the UK, the city centre. It also hosts various festive celebrations, including a spectacular light show in Princes Street Gardens, where more than 1,000 coloured lights will be lit during the Festival of Lights.
East Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market⛄️
Opening times: 16th November – 24th December
Location: East Princes Street Gardens
The Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens is Edinburgh’s largest and most famous Christmas Market and has been running for over 20 years. Set in Edinburgh’s historic city centre, East Princes Street Gardens enjoys breathtaking views of Edinburgh Castle, the Scott Monument and the city’s iconic skyline, with free entry to the traditional Christmas Market. Featuring around 70 stalls, including some of the best local and international producers selling everything from handmade gifts and bespoke products to delicious food and tasty drinks. It is also home to Scotland’s largest Ferris wheel, the LNER Big Wheel, which stands 46 meters high and offers a unique view of the city, and the popular Around the World Star Ferris Wheel.
West Princes Street Gardens Family Funfair
Opening times: 15th November – 4th January
Location: West Princes Street Gardens
West Princes Street Gardens will be a free-to-enter, family-friendly area this year and open on Friday, 15 November. It features vintage festive rides and food stalls, as well as a display of winter window design projects from local schools and Christmas lights. Visitors can also enjoy a delicious hot chocolate or seasonal mulled wine at West Princes Street Gardens. West Princes Street Gardens is also home to a wide range of family activities, including choir performances, carol concerts for the St Andrew’s Snow Day Celebration, the Skin of Lights, Father Christmas storytelling and a fun run at the Piccolo Splegeltent. Along the way, there are also a number of Christmas-themed photo stops for those who like to take pictures!
George Street West & Castle Street⛸️
Opening times: 18th November – 6th January
Location: George Street
George Street will be transformed into the spectacular Edinburgh Christmas Ice Rink this year, making it one of the must-see places to visit at Christmas. This year’s rink has been set up as an indoor venue, allowing visitors to take in the New Town’s elegant Georgian skyline while gliding around on the ice. After skating, enjoy a hot drink or snack in the George Street warming area, and there’s also a tandem spinning Brüel & Kjær Fibre ride for two waiting for you to experience. Additional festive workshops this year include wreath making, Christmas decorations, and ice sculpture creation. Not to be missed is the ‘School Ground Ice Bar’! Enjoy cocktails in pre-sculpted ice glasses in a -8-degree igloo, and remember to dress warmly!
St Andrew Square Winter Garden
Opening times: 18th November – 1st January
Location: St Andrew Square Winter Garden
Santa will be returning to Edinburgh for Christmas 2024, taking up residence in St Andrews Square, where Santa and some very helpful elves will be tucked away in St Andrew’s Square from 23rd November to 24th December, ready to provide a magical Christmas experience for every little one, and everyone will have the chance to meet Santa and receive a gift, so families with young children won’t want to miss out. Not only is there a huge Christmas tree in the square, but this year, Scotland’s largest Christmas maze is also new! Walk through the 450 illuminated Christmas trees and discover the magic and wonder of the maze!
Other Edinburgh Market in Christmas
Summerhall Christmas Market
Opening times: 7th and 8th December 2024
Location: Summerhall, Edinburgh
The annual 2024 Summerhall Christmas Market is a festive must-see with its unique creative and artistic atmosphere. With over 70 stalls to browse through each day, the market showcases the beautiful work of local artisans and artists. It offers vegan stalls and local specialities, making it ideal for eco-friendly and craft enthusiasts alike. The Summerhall Christmas Market will also feature festive wreath-making workshops and creative jewellery stalls, where visitors can purchase handmade unique gifts. To add to the festive atmosphere, Summerhall has also arranged for a community choir to sing classic Christmas carols, providing a cosy musical experience for visitors. The market will be open briefly on 7 and 8 December and is an excellent opportunity to explore Edinburgh’s creative community for those looking for special festive souvenirs and gifts!
Jupiter Artland Christmas Fair
Opening times: 7th and 8th December 2024
Location: In The Artland
The Jupiter Artland Christmas season offers an array of artistic and festive events ideal for the whole family. On 7 and 8 December, the sculpture park nestled in the countryside will be transformed into a Christmas market where visitors can find beautiful crafts, unique art accessories and a diverse range of festive gifts. Stalls will also serve mulled wine, local specialties, and festive music to create a cosy atmosphere. The event also features a special family-friendly area where children can meet Father Christmas and take part in donkey rides and other fun interactions, making it a special experience that will immerse the whole family in the magic of the festive season.
Hopetoun House Christmas Fair
Opening times: 29th November – 1st December
Location: Hopetoun House, South Queensferry
Set in 6,500 acres of breathtaking natural beauty on the outskirts of Edinburgh, Hopetoun House is a farm that produces beef, lamb and poultry, which is sold directly through its on-site shop. The 18th-century mansion will be decorated from 29 November to 1 December with nearly 60 stalls selling exquisite crafts, quality Christmas gifts and a variety of festive treats. The Hopetoun House Christmas Fair is great not only for shopping for unique Christmas gifts but also for savouring local food and drink in festive surroundings!
Where to stay when visiting the Edinburgh Christmas markets 2024
People who include Edinburgh in their Christmas plans are resourceful. Warm and imaginative Christmas markets, Christmas playgrounds overflowing with laughter and screams, and 60,000 colored lights lit up for you on George Street are all reasons to spend Christmas here. With the surge of tourists during the Christmas period, booking your Edinburgh accommodation well in advance is advisable. Living in Edinburgh’s city centre is convenient for transport and allows you to better immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere with easy access to the various Christmas markets and attractions.
We recommend booking your Edinburgh accommodation with uhomes.com, a professional rental platform dedicated to helping students find a home abroad. uhomes.com offers student flats, private accommodation, and hotels so that visitors can choose according to their needs. If you are visiting Edinburgh for a more extended period, you can also rent a short-term flat. uhomes.com provides users with the most intimate service.
Unmissable Christmas Activities Beyond the Market
Castle of Light
🎟Tickets: adults £22
🕰Time: 16:30-21:00
📆Dates: 22-23 & 29-30 November 2024; 6-8 & 13-15 & 20-23 & 27-30 December; 2-4 January 2025
In 2024, Edinburgh Castle will bring a brand new display where you can see the story of Edinburgh presented on the walls of the Castle, with featured images such as Rex, the cuddly lion in the Great Hall, and you can enjoy street food whilst watching the light show.
Torchlight Procession
🎟 Tickets: start £18
🕰Time: 18:30 – 20:30
📆Date: 29 December 2024
The much-loved Torchlight Procession returns in 2024 to kick off Edinburgh’s famous New Year’s Eve celebrations on 29 December. Setting off from Meadows and winding through the historic Old Town, the parade will fill the streets with street theatre, fire performances, pipe bands, drummers, and Vikings from the southern mainland of the Shetland Islands.
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay
🎟 Tickets: £38.50 each
🕰Hours: 18:30 – 22:30
📆Date: 29 December 2024 – 1 January 2025
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is one of Scotland’s biggest and most influential New Year’s Eve celebrations, bringing together revellers from across the globe over four days, with concerts in Princes Street Gardens, world-famous street parties, fireworks displays and street theatre, and free live music and family events throughout the city centre on the first day of the New Year and family activities.
Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden
🎟 Tickets: 16+ £22.50 per person, 4-16 years £17 per person, family ticket £76
🕰 Hours: 10 AM-4 PM
📆Dates: 21 November – 30 December 2024
Every year during Christmas, the Royal Edinburgh Botanic Gardens transforms itself at night into a dreamy destination of light and shadow! This year, you can’t miss this visual feast! Walking with your family and friends in the candlelight and shadows, as if you were in the dream scene of Alice in Wonderland, every step is full of surprises and romance. Remember to keep an eye on the surroundings; maybe Father Christmas is waiting in a corner to say hello to you!
Tips to Visit Edinburgh Markets During Christmas
- Book early: Attractions like the Ferris Wheel, StarFlyer and ice skating sell out fast. Book tickets for Hogmanay events in advance.
- Pack warm clothes: Edinburgh winters are chilly, with lots of cloudy, rainy and snowy weather over the Christmas period, so pack waterproof boots, a down jacket with a hood, and warm shoes.
- Cashless: Most stalls only accept card payments, so carry a debit or credit card with you, but bring a small amount of cash in emergencies.
- By public transport: The Christmas markets are located on George and Castle Streets and can be reached by bus or train from the city centre. Parking around the market is limited, so public transport is recommended.
Conclusion
Edinburgh’s Christmas Market is a magical winter celebration. Imagine brightly lit stalls, steaming festive treats and activities for young and old alike – from ice skating at George Street Ice Rink to poking around Castle Street for unique gifts – there’s something for every visitor. Whether you’re visiting with family and friends or on your own, contact us now to book your Edinburgh accommodation, experience the bustling atmosphere of the market and the breathtaking city views, and make winter memories together that will last a lifetime.
FAQ
When does the 2024 Edinburgh Christmas market start?
Edinburgh’s Christmas Market 2024 is open from Friday, 15 November 2024, to Saturday, 04 January 2025, and will run for seven weeks.
Is the Edinburgh Christmas Market expensive?
Inexpensive. There are no tickets for the Edinburgh Christmas Market, and people can enter for free. Students have to pay to buy items and experience entertainment at the fair, but it is moderately priced.
When is the best time to go to Edinburgh Christmas Market?
The best time to visit the Edinburgh Christmas Markets is in mid-December, when many other events take place, such as the Edinburgh Castle Light Show, the Christmas Lights Show, and many more colourful Edinburgh Christmas events!
Where is the 2024 Edinburgh Christmas market location?
Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets is located in the Edinburgh city centre, with four markets in total. The Christmas Markets will be held in Princes Street Gardens, George Street and St Andrew Square Winter Garden.
What’s on at Edinburgh’s Christmas and when?
There are some interesting activities at Edinburgh Christmas.
- Edinburgh Christmas Market – Friday, November 15
- Santa’s Stories – Saturday, November 23
- Christmas Tree Maze – Saturday, November 23
- Christmas Ice Rink – Friday, November 22
- Polar Ice Bar – Monday, November 25
How can I get tickets for the Edinburgh Christmas Market in 2024/25?
There is no need to book an entrance ticket to the Edinburgh Christmas market, but activity tickets must be purchased for rides, such as the big wheel and the ice rink. These can be bought at the market or online at https://edwinterfest.com/
