Edinburgh’s Christmas

Edinburgh’s Christmas runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 across three sites in the city centre. In East Princes Street Gardens, a free traditional Christmas market has around 70 stalls selling gifts, clothing, food and drink, overlooked by the 46-metre Big Wheel and the 80-metre Starflyer, which gives views across the Old Town and the castle.

West Princes Street Gardens hosts a family funfair with rides, food stalls and illuminations, plus visits to Santa and events at the Ross Bandstand. On George Street there is an undercover ice rink with toddler, relaxed and adults-only sessions, and the Polar Ice Bar, kept at minus 10°C, where the furniture and glasses are made of ice and jackets and gloves are provided.

The market is free to visit, with tickets needed for the rides, skating and the ice bar.