What time does the Edinburgh Xmas market start?

The main Edinburgh Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens generally opens daily at 10:00 AM and closes at 10:00 PM, running from mid-November to January 4th. It is a free-entry event, though specific attractions require tickets.

What time does the Edinburgh Christmas Market start?

Edinburgh Christmas Market opening times

For the majority of the festive season, the Traditional Market will be open daily from 10am to 10pm. However, there will be shorter opening hours on several days including Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Hogmanay, New Year's Day and the final day of the market.

Do you need tickets to get into the Edinburgh Christmas Market?

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. There are Box Offices across all three sites, but as Christmas gets closer these can be pretty busy, so we'd advise booking online.

Which is the best Christmas market in Edinburgh?

Princes Street The Christmas Market on Princes Street is hands down the most festive place in Edinburgh. Filled with brightly lit wooden huts, fun fair rides and even a Christmas tree maze, it's the best place to start if you're looking for a festive pick me up.

How many stalls are there at Edinburgh Christmas Market?

East Princes Street Gardens - Edinburgh Christmas Market

Around 70 stalls in the market feature some of the finest local and international artisans offering a wide array of items, from handcrafted gifts and bespoke products to delectable treats and delightful beverages.

Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025 – First Look & Honest Review!

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. 

Where is the most Christmassy place in Scotland?

While Edinburgh is often hailed as the most traditionally "Christmassy" with its famous Winter Wonderland market in Princes Street Gardens and twinkling Old Town, Oban offers a unique, community-focused charm with its Winter Festival, complete with reindeer, ceilidhs, and coastal vibes, and the Cairngorms provide a magical, natural Christmas with free-roaming reindeer. 

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 far is Edinburgh Christmas Market from train station?

By Rail. The nearest railway station to Edinburgh's Christmas is Edinburgh Waverley which is approximately a 2-minute walk from the entrance to East Princes Street Gardens. The most direct route is via the Waverley Bridge exit, which is also step-free.

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. 

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 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.

Do you need tickets for the Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025?

No, you do not need tickets to enter the Edinburgh Christmas Market itself, as general admission to the stalls and atmosphere in areas like Princes Street Gardens is free, but you do need tickets for specific attractions like the Big Wheel, Ice Rink, Starflyer, Santa's Stories, and the Tree Maze, which should be booked online in advance to avoid long queues and disappointment, with all ticket purchases being cashless (card only) at the event.
 

What to do in Edinburgh at Christmas time?

13 Things to Do in Edinburgh at Christmas

• Book the Harry Potter Tour of Edinburgh.
• Book a ghost tour in Edinburgh.
• Book a guided tour to Edinburgh Castle.
• Book an Edinburgh Sightseeing Bus Tour.
• Book an excursion to the Highlands.

What do they eat at the Edinburgh Christmas Market?

• Chulo's Cookies. First up as you enter the Christmas Market from the main entrance is Chulo's Cookies. ...
• Uplands Roast. ...
• Coffee – Loaded strawberries – Donuts. ...
• Festive Fries. ...
• Bratwurst swing grill #1. ...
• Bar #1. ...
• Chocolate u0026amp; strawberries (Roseberry Chocolat) ...
• Raclette (Alpine Times)

What is the most beautiful Christmas town in Europe?

Colmar: A Fairytale in Alsace

One of the most enchanting Christmas markets in Alsace—and indeed all of Europe—Colmar's holiday market transforms this medieval town into a storybook village. Its cobbled streets sparkle under a thousand lights, and the half-timbered houses are decorated to resemble gingerbread cottages.

What should I wear to a Christmas market?

Think oversized coats, statement accessories, and chunky knits that are easy, effortless, and perfect for whatever the weather throws at you. For a chic outfit for the Christmas markets, layer a chunky knit over leather-look trousers, finishing the look with a long wool coat and heeled boots.

What are the top 5 Christmas markets in Europe?

Europe's top Christmas markets often include Germany's festive staples like Cologne (Cathedral) and Berlin (Gendarmenmarkt), France's enchanting Strasbourg and Colmar, Austria's grand Vienna (Rathausplatz), the fairytale setting of Prague's Old Town, and Belgium's sprawling Brussels (Winter Wonders), each offering unique charm, crafts, lights, and seasonal treats like mulled wine and pastries.
 

Is Edinburgh or Glasgow better for Christmas?

🎄 Glasgow has levelled up its festivities this year with Glasgow's Winter Wonderland spreading celebrations across the city. Edinburgh's Christmas, meanwhile, is still the nation's polished, postcard-perfect heavyweight.

Why was Christmas banned for 400 years in Scotland?

Christmas was banned in Scotland for nearly 400 years primarily due to the Protestant Reformation, where the strict Presbyterian Church (the Kirk) viewed Christmas as an overly indulgent Catholic festival, leading to an official ban in 1640 by the Scottish Parliament, making it a workday for centuries until it became a public holiday in 1958. 

Where is the most magical Christmas market?

• 44 Wildly Magical Christmas Markets to Visit in Europe (Ranked!) Last Updated: October 28, 2025. ...
• London, England. OOH. ...
• Budapest, Hungary* ...
• Düsseldorf, Germany. ...
• Stuttgart, Germany. ...
• Paris, France. ...
• Winchester, England. ...
• Essen, Germany.

What is the easiest Christmas market to get to from the UK?

Brussels Christmas market

Voted one of the best Christmas markets in Europe, Brussels' Winter Wonders is the perfect choice for a festive family getaway or a weekend shopping trip — and it's just 1 hour 53 minutes from London by Eurostar.