In December 2023, Edinburgh featured festive staples like the Edinburgh Christmas Market (East Princes Street Gardens), the dazzling Christmas at the Botanics light trail, and the Wicked musical at the Edinburgh Playhouse (running until Jan 2024). Families enjoyed the Santa Run/Dash and Edinburgh Zoo’s Lanterns Grotto.
December 2025 in Edinburgh is packed with festive cheer, featuring the famous Christmas Markets with rides (Ferris wheel, Star Flyer) and ice skating, dazzling light displays at Edinburgh Castle's "Castle of Light", shows like Scottish Ballet's "The Snow Queen" & pantomimes, carol concerts, unique experiences like ice bars and chocolate making, plus the start of Hogmanay with the Torchlight Procession, all creating a magical, winter wonderland atmosphere.
A trip to Edinburgh in winter is as magical as it gets. A glorious time of year to visit, there's something undeniably special about winter in the Scottish capital – the summer crowds have faded, yet the city remains as lively as ever.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Is Edinburgh very cold in winter? It can feel chilly, especially with wind or damp weather. Average temperatures range from 1°C to 7°C. Dressing in layers, including a warm coat, hat, gloves and scarf, will keep you comfortable.
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.
Edinburgh in 2025 features major annual events like the Science Festival (April), the August Festivals (Fringe, International, Book, Art, Jazz & Blues, Tattoo), and Hogmanay (Dec 30-Jan 1), alongside ongoing concerts, the popular Edinburgh Zoo Lanterns, and various cultural happenings, with themes like 'The Truth We Seek' for the festivals and 'Heroes Who Made Us' for the Tattoo.
2025 is bringing back rustic, heritage-inspired Christmas décor themes. One theme is a very traditional, folksy kind of mood. They might use mushroom motifs, tartan fabrics, vintage tableware, and "Nutcrackercore" decorations. This is a very nostalgic, homely version of a country Christmas.
Edinburgh's Christmas 2025 features traditional markets in Princes Street Gardens, the George Street Ice Rink, the spectacular Castle of Light: Fire & Ice, and the enchanting Giant Lanterns at the Zoo, running from mid-November 2025 into early January 2026, alongside pantos and other festive events like the Torchlight Procession, creating a magical winter wonderland in the city center.
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.
fun for all the family at. GLASGOW's WINTER WONDERLAND. This Christmas, experience the season like never before – in true Glasgow style! Featuring two prime locations, our Winter Wonderlands on Glasgow Green and St Enoch Square, are bursting with festive fun, family attractions and seasonal entertainment.
