What does the Edinburgh Christmas Market have?

The Edinburgh Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens offers a festive experience featuring over 80 stalls with artisan crafts, local Scottish food, and European gifts. Highlights include the iconic LNER Big Wheel, Around the World Starflyer, Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas tree maze, and numerous festive food/drink stalls.

What is Edinburgh Christmas Market known for?

Edinburgh is the UK's crown jewel of the festive season, combining its world-renowned Christmas market with spectacular Hogmanay celebrations. Now in its fifth year under Unique Assembly, the event fills East Princes Street Gardens with stalls from Scottish and European crafters, artists and independent retailers.

What can I buy at Edinburgh Christmas Market?

You can't visit the Edinburgh Christmas market without sampling some of its key specialties. Of course, Edinburgh's festive foods are a must, such as rich minced pies, succulent bratwurst, earthy haggis, and buttery Scottish shortbread.

Does the Edinburgh Christmas Market have rides?

Edinburgh's Christmas transforms the beautiful city centre with festive fun for all the family, including traditional Christmas Markets, funfair rides, spectacular live outdoor events, delicious food and drink, plus so much more.

What's on in Edinburgh over Christmas?

Upcoming Events

• Traditional Christmas Markets. Edinburgh's Christmas iconic Traditional Markets returns to East Princes Street Gardens to fill the city centre with the spirits, sights and smells of the holiday season. ...
• LNER BIG WHEEL. COMING SOON.
• Around the World Starflyer.

Edinburgh At Christmas Is Over-Hyped... Or So We Thought!

What time is the Edinburgh castle light show?

Edinburgh Castle lights up for special events like "Castle of Light," which usually has timed entries starting around 4:30 PM and running into the evening, with specific dates often in late autumn/winter. Normally, the castle is floodlit, but lighting times depend on the season and special events, so check Historic Environment Scotland for current event schedules or general floodlighting times as daylight fades.
 

Is Edinburgh Christmas Market free to enter?

Do I need to buy Edinburgh Christmas Market tickets before travelling? Edinburgh's Christmas is free to enter, with tickets available online for attractions including the LNER Big Wheel, Star Flyer, Polar Ice Bar, Ice Rink and Santa's Stories.

Do I need cash for the Edinburgh Christmas Market?

You can use both cash and card at the Edinburgh Christmas Market, but cards (especially contactless/phone payments) are widely accepted and often preferred, though it's wise to carry some cash for smaller stalls, emergencies, or patchy Wi-Fi/signal issues. Most major stalls and attractions take cards, but some smaller vendors might be cash-only or have minimum card spends. 

Do you have to pay to get into the distillery Christmas market?

General admission is $15 plus HST and admin fee during select peak periods between Nov. 21 and Dec. 31, with free entry at other times and for children nine and under. Organizers say ticket revenue funds more than 700 seasonal staff and covers operational costs, including security and paid duty officers.

How much does it cost to go to Edinburgh Christmas Market?

Entry to the Edinburgh Christmas Markets themselves is free, but you pay for individual attractions like the Big Wheel, Starflyer, ice rink, and Santa's Stories, with prices around £10-£15 per ride/session, and tickets often bought on the day or pre-booked. All sites are cashless, accepting card payments only, and local residents (EH postcode) can get a 20% discount on some tickets. 

What is unique to buy in Edinburgh?

If you're wondering what to buy in Edinburgh Scotland, here are some ideas that locals and returning visitors often recommend.

• Harris Tweed Products. ...
• Scotland Whisky. ...
• Art Prints of Edinburgh Scenes. ...
• Scottish Made Ceramics and Pottery. ...
• Greyfriars Bobby Souvenirs. ...
• Traditional Scottish Food Gifts. ...
• University of Edinburgh Gifts.

Is there an ice rink at Edinburgh Christmas Market?

This winter, step into a winter wonderland and have fun on the ice at Edinburgh's Christmas Ice Rink. Situated on picturesque George Street, perfect your ice skating skills on the undercover rink, before warming up with a mulled wine or hot chocolate or taking a spin on one of the vintage funfair rides.

What food is sold at Christmas markets?

Food & Drink

• Pyramid Stage Bar. Original Bratwurst.
• Dutch Pancakes & Belgian Waffles. German Chocolate Kisses.
• Hot Chocolate. Yorkshire Pudding Wraps.
• Olive Branch. Souvlaki Corner.
• Sweets. Pasta alla Ruota – The Cheese Wheel.

What's the best Christmas market in the world?

Top 10 Christmas markets in the world

• Vienna, Austria. Vienna's Christmas markets are legendary, especially the Rathausplatz Christmas Market. ...
• Nuremberg, Germany. ...
• Prague, Czech Republic. ...
• Strasbourg, France. ...
• Copenhagen, Denmark. ...
• Berlin, Germany. ...
• Rovaniemi, Finland. ...
• Brussels, Belgium.

How many stalls are at the Edinburgh Xmas market?

Edinburgh Christmas Market, East Princes Street Gardens

Free to enter, shoppers can browse around 70 stalls featuring everything from clothing and jewellery to handmade gifts for the home. And when hunger calls, the tempting aromas from the various local and international food and drink stalls are sure to tempt you.

Are there toilets at Edinburgh Christmas Market?

We recommend speaking to a member of security or staff who can direct you nearest accessible entrance. Accessible Toilet is available on site near the Big Wheel - Please speak to security or our Front of House Team if unsure of directions and contact security for the key.

What rides are at Edinburgh Christmas Market?

Edinburgh's Christmas Market features thrilling rides like the Big Wheel (LNER Ferris Wheel) and the Around the World Starflyer, offering skyline views, alongside traditional fairground attractions in the Festive Funfair in West Princes Street Gardens, including the Sizzler, Dodgems, and family rides like the Toy Carousel. Entry to the markets and gardens is free, with separate costs for rides, which can often be pre-booked online for convenience.
 

What to wear to Edinburgh Christmas markets?

Dressing in layers, including a warm coat, hat, gloves and scarf, will keep you comfortable. What should I wear when visiting Edinburgh in winter? Layering is essential. Start with a thermal base layer or long-sleeved top, add a warm jumper or fleece and finish with a waterproof, windproof coat.

Can you keep the mugs at German Christmas markets?

Basically, you're going to give three or four extra euro for the mug and if you bring it back, they give the three or four euro back to you and if you don't bring it back, then, you keep your mug. There are a lot of people that want to come to Christmas markets and collect the mugs which I think is amazing.

What to expect at Edinburgh Christmas Market?

Traditional Christmas Market at East Princes Street Gardens, with charming wooden stalls offering everything from handmade ornaments to indulgent hot chocolate and bratwurst. Over three-quarters of vendors are expected to be local or Scottish businesses, showcasing the best of artisan food, crafts, and festive treats.

What food is at the Edinburgh Christmas Market?

This year, some of the must-try seasonal favourites include hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and cider, hot chocolate and, of course, Dutch Stroopwafels, brought to the traditional markets by an Edinburgh-based Dutchman, Timothy Shelhaas.

Do you have to book Edinburgh Fringe?

You have a show in a venue in Edinburgh. It's either free, in which case people just turn up and pay by donation at the end, or it's in a paid venue, in which case people have to book and pay for tickets in advance either at the Fringe Box office, online, on phone, or at venue.

How much is the big wheel at Edinburgh Christmas Market?

Prices for a spin on the Big Wheel are £12 for and adult and £9.60 for concessions, while a family ticket - with a maximum of two adults - costs £38.40 - again card payments only. And it costs from £13.50 per person for a ride on the 80 metres high Starflyer.