The Edinburgh Christmas Market is back in East Princes Street Gardens from Saturday 14 November 2026 until Sunday 3 January 2027, with the Old Town skyline and the castle rock as its backdrop. It is the centrepiece of Edinburgh’s Christmas, the city’s official winter festival, which also spreads into the western half of the gardens and along George Street.
This guide covers opening hours, what to eat and buy, ride prices, the free events, the smaller neighbourhood markets, and the best festive light trails within a short bus ride. Where 2026 details have not been published yet, we say so.
Updated 23 October 2026: dates, prices and times checked against the official organisers’ websites.
Edinburgh Christmas Markets 2026: dates and opening times
The Traditional Christmas Markets in central Edinburgh open daily from 10:00 to 22:00 and are closed on Christmas Day. They are free to enter, so you can browse without a ticket and only pay for food, gifts and rides. The organisers note that times can change, and several big rides keep shorter hours on the dates below, so check the official site if you are planning a visit around Christmas or New Year.
| Date | LNER Big Wheel & Star Flyer | Festive Funfair (West Gardens) |
|---|---|---|
| Normal days | 10:00–22:00 (last entry 21:30) | Weekdays 12:00–21:00, weekends 10:00–21:00 |
| Tue 17 Nov | 17:00–22:00 | 15:00–22:00 |
| 19–23 Dec | 10:00–22:00 | 11:00–21:00 |
| Thu 24 Dec | 10:00–20:00 | 11:00–19:00 |
| Fri 25 Dec | Closed | Closed |
| Sat 26 Dec | 12:00–20:00 | 12:00–20:00 |
| 27–30 Dec | 10:00–22:00 | 12:00–21:00 |
| Thu 31 Dec | 10:00–17:00 | 12:00–17:00 |
| Fri 1 Jan | 12:00–20:00 | 12:00–20:00 |
| Sun 3 Jan | Wheel 10:00–20:00, Star Flyer 10:00–18:00 | 12:00–20:00 |
Source: official ride pages on edwinterfest.com (checked 23 October 2026). Stall hours on these dates may also differ, so confirm before visiting.
What to eat and buy at the stalls
In 2025 the organisers announced over 90 decorated chalets and said the previous season drew more than 2.8 million visitors. Expect crafts from Edinburgh and across Scotland, knitwear, jewellery, candles and fudge alongside a handful of international traders. The 2026 trader list was not out when we checked, so treat any named stall as a maybe.
Food is half the reason to come. Last year’s line-up included roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and cider, Dutch stroopwafels from Wholly Waffles, pies from Jarvis Pickle, mac’n’cheese and German spätzle. A cup of hot chocolate in hand while you walk under the lights is the classic move. Every site is cashless, so bring a card or phone; the old advice to carry cash no longer applies.
Rides and attractions at Edinburgh’s Christmas
Entry to the gardens and markets is free, but the attractions are ticketed. Booking online is sensible for weekends and December evenings, and you can also pay by card at each ride. Edinburgh residents with an EH postcode get 20% off many rides with proof of address.
Enclosed, weatherproof pods hold up to six people and give the best night view over Edinburgh and the lights. Family tickets cover four people (maximum two adults). The official city guide edinburgh.org lists it at 46m tall.
Swings spin you more than 80m above the rooftops. Riders must be at least 1.2m tall, and anyone under 1.4m rides with an adult.
A 20-minute storytelling visit with Santa, including a gift and photo. Relaxed sessions are available, and buggies can be left outside the venue (there are no buggy parks elsewhere on site).
Carousels and thrill rides run by Taylors of Edinburgh, from 14 November to 3 January, with gentler options for younger children.
Two ice venues at -8°C: a Viking-themed bar for over-18s (first drink included, 19 Nov–2 Jan) and a 20-minute family ice walk-through (21 Nov–3 Jan, suggested age 6+).
A free festive pub with hot drinks, live music, quizzes and craft workshops, open from 12:00 until late from 19 November (16:00 on the first two days).
Not yet confirmed for 2026: the George Street ice rink and the Christmas Tree Maze. Neither appears in the official 2026 programme as of 23 October 2026, so check before you travel.
Free events at the Ross Bandstand and around town
You can enjoy plenty of the festival in Edinburgh without spending anything. Highlights in the official 2026 programme include:
- Kick Off Concert with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, Sat 14 Nov, 15:00 (free)
- Edinburgh Diwali parade and fireworks, Sun 15 Nov, from 12:30
- Community Christmas, Sat 21 Nov, 14:00
- Light Night Concert, Sun 22 Nov, 15:00–18:00 (free, no tickets, Santa appears)
- A Taste of Scotland, 28 Nov, and the St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh, Sun 29 Nov, 14:30
- Edinburgh Sings! choirs, Sat 5 Dec, 14:00; Santa Fun Run & Santa Paws, Sun 6 Dec, 09:30
For cabaret, La Clique Noël plays Bristo Square from 20 November to 3 January (ticketed). For more stage shows, see our Christmas shows guide.
Other Christmas markets in Edinburgh
The main event is not the only place to shop. These smaller Christmas markets are calmer and more local:
- Castle Street Christmas Market (LocalMotive): listed for 25 November–22 December 2026 on Castle Street, off Princes Street. Confirm daily hours before visiting.
- Stockbridge Market: every Sunday in this north Edinburgh neighbourhood, with food and makers’ stalls, plus the sister markets in the Grassmarket and Leith on Saturdays (stockbridgemarket.com).
- Out of the Blue Winter Arts Market, Drill Hall, Leith: usually the first weekend of December. 2026 dates were not published when we checked (Out of the Blue).
Shopping for presents? Our Christmas shopping and photo spots page covers the shopping streets.
Festive light trails and street lights
Christmas at the Botanics, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 19 November–30 December 2026. Timed slots start from 16:15 and the trail closes at 20:00. This year’s route includes the Christmas Cathedral, the Fire Garden, a Laser Garden and a new Light Sphere. Tickets are sold through Ticketek, with off-peak and family tickets; 2026 prices were not on the official page, so confirm when booking. Relaxed sessions run at 16:00 on 29 November and 2 and 9 December. Use the East Gate on Inverleith Row (buses 8, 9, 23, 27) or the West Gate on Arboretum Place.
Giant Lanterns at Edinburgh Zoo: a space-themed lantern trail on 60 nights from 13 November 2026 to 21 February 2027. Entry from 16:45, last entry 20:00, from £14.
Free street lights: illuminated trees line George Street, the Christmas tree on the Mound is a gift to Edinburgh from Norway’s Vestland region, and Victoria Street and Multrees Walk are worth a detour after dark. Our Christmas lights guide maps the best streets.
Christmas at Edinburgh Castle
Castle of Light will not run in Edinburgh this year: Historic Environment Scotland cancelled the light show after six years and is putting the money into decorations, family activities and afternoon teas instead.
The Christmas afternoon tea is served in the Tea Rooms in Crown Square on selected dates from 1 December 2026 to 3 January 2027. It costs £70 for adults including castle admission (£80 with Champagne) and £35 for children, with lower prices for members. Pre-booking is essential.
Getting there and accessibility
Edinburgh Waverley is about two minutes’ walk from the markets, and the Waverley Bridge exit is step-free. Edinburgh Trams stop at St Andrew Square, Princes Street and West End, and the bus station is about six minutes away on foot. There is no event parking, so use public transport or park and ride.
Step-free entrances to the eastern gardens are on Waverley Bridge and between the galleries on the Mound; Market Street gives access to the south side. There are accessible toilets with baby change on every site, including one near the Big Wheel, plus sensory backpacks to borrow. Assistance dogs are welcome on outdoor sites. For access questions, call 0131 623 3033.
Tips for visiting
- Go on a weekday afternoon, when the markets are quieter. Edinburgh gets dark before 16:00 in December, so the lights come on early. Evenings and weekends are the busiest times.
- Book Santa’s Stories, the Ice Bar and the Botanics trail early. Ride tickets can be bought on the day.
- Under-18s must be with an adult after 20:00 on all sites.
- The festival opens in rain and cold but can close rides in dangerous winds. Dress for standing outside.
- Planning a longer trip? See our hotels for Christmas in Edinburgh, Christmas dinner options and the winter planning guide. Staying for New Year? Read our Hogmanay guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Edinburgh Christmas Market open in 2026?
The markets run from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 in East Princes Street Gardens. It opens daily from 10:00 to 22:00 and is closed on 25 December.
Are the Christmas markets free to visit?
Yes, entry is free. You pay for food, gifts, rides, Santa and the ice attractions.
Can I pay with cash?
No. All sites are cashless, so you will need a card or phone payment.
Is there ice skating at Edinburgh’s Christmas this year?
It was not in the official 2026 programme when we checked on 23 October 2026. Confirm on the organisers’ website before planning around it.
Is Castle of Light happening in 2026?
No. The castle light show has been cancelled. The castle is offering Christmas afternoon teas instead.
Do I need to book the Botanics light trail?
Yes. Christmas at the Botanics uses timed tickets from Ticketek, and peak December nights sell out.