Edinburgh’s darkest months are also its busiest for celebrations. From mid November to February the city runs a packed winter calendar: a Diwali parade and fireworks, free afternoon concerts beneath the castle, a ceilidh for Scotland’s national day, thousands of Santas jogging round the Gardens, a giant menorah, and then Burns suppers and rugby to carry Edinburgh through the rest of winter.
This guide is the festive calendar view. The Christmas market, rides and light trails, the panto and Christmas shows, and the big New Year weekend each have their own detailed guide, linked below; here you get the one-off festivals and community celebrations in Edinburgh, with 2026/27 dates, times and costs from the organisers.
Updated 23 October 2026: dates, times and prices checked against the official event websites.
Edinburgh winter events calendar 2026/27
The main festivals and seasonal events from November to February, in date order. Free means no ticket is needed.
| Event | When | Where | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zoo lantern trail | 13 Nov – 21 Feb, selected nights | Edinburgh Zoo | From £14 |
| Kick Off Concert | Sat 14 Nov, 3–6pm | Ross Bandstand | Free |
| Edinburgh Diwali | Sun 15 Nov, 12.30–7pm | Parade, then Gardens bandstand | Free |
| Botanics Christmas trail | 19 Nov – 30 Dec, evenings | Royal Botanic Garden | Ticketed |
| Light Night Concert | Sun 22 Nov, 3–6pm | Gardens bandstand | Free |
| St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh | Sun 29 Nov, 2.30–6pm | Gardens bandstand | Free |
| Santa Fun Run | Sun 6 Dec, 9.30am–2pm | West Princes Street Gardens | Adults £15 |
| Hanukkah | Evening of Fri 4 Dec to Sat 12 Dec | Public lighting in St Andrew Square | Free (date TBC) |
| Hogmanay | 29 Dec – 1 Jan | Across the city | Mostly ticketed |
| Turner watercolours | 1–31 Jan, 10am–5pm | Scottish National Gallery | Free |
| Burns Night | Mon 25 Jan | Suppers across the city | Varies |
| Scotland v Italy / v Wales | Sat 6 Feb / Sat 13 Feb | Murrayfield | Ticketed |
Checked 23 October 2026. Line-ups for several free concerts are still “coming soon”, so confirm details nearer the day.
Edinburgh’s Winter Festival: what’s included
Most of the big seasonal programme sits under one umbrella, Edinburgh’s Winter Festival, now backed by title partner Halo. It has two parts: Edinburgh’s Christmas runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, and the New Year celebrations take over from 29 December to 1 January.
The Christmas side brings the market, the Big Wheel and Star Flyer, an ice experience and La Clique Noël, all covered in our guides to the Christmas market and light trails and festive shows and entertainment. What many visitors miss is the free weekend programme at the Ross Bandstand, the open-air stage below the castle, where most shows are free for the whole family:
- Kick Off Concert, Sat 14 Nov, 3–6pm: the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, with support from The Eves.
- Community Christmas, Sat 21 Nov, 2–5pm: a family afternoon of choirs, dancers, juggling elves and face painting.
- A Taste of Scotland, Sat 28 Nov, 2.30–6pm: ‘pipe pop’ band The Rollin’ Drones plus stalls from Scottish makers.
- Edinburgh Sings!, Sat 5 Dec, 2–5pm: choirs singing Christmas carols and festive hits, and you’re invited to join in.
- Silent Disco Christmas Cracker, Sat 12 Dec, from 6.30pm: three music channels with Silent Adventures for a Christmas party under the castle; check booking details on the event page.
Edinburgh Diwali: Sunday 15 November
Edinburgh Diwali has celebrated the Hindu, Sikh and Jain festival of light in the capital since 2015, and in 2026 it marks its 11th anniversary. The day starts at 12.30pm with a colourful parade through the Georgian streets north of the Gardens, then moves to the bandstand for an afternoon and evening of music, dance and entertainment from many cultures.
Expect live music on stage from about 3pm and a fireworks finale beneath the castle at around 6.30pm. It’s free and open to everyone, whatever your faith, and it is one of the most family friendly days in the November calendar. The full line-up is still to be announced.
Light Night Concert: Sunday 22 November
The name used to mean a lights switch-on in different parts of town. In 2026 it is a free Light Night Concert at the bandstand from 3pm to 6pm: local choirs and dancers warm up the crowd, roaming elves and Snow Queens work the audience, and a lantern parade leads to a headline set from a guest still to be named.
Santa makes an appearance too, so it’s a good free family alternative to a booked grotto and a festive start to the Christmas season. No tickets are needed; arrive early for a spot with a view of the stage.
Photo: Richard Cooke, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
St Andrew’s Day: a free ceilidh for Scotland’s national day
Scotland’s national day falls on Monday 30 November, and the city celebrates the day before with a free Family Ceilidh on Sunday 29 November, 2.30–6pm. The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience, one of the best-known ceilidh bands around, takes the stage, and a caller teaches every step, so first-timers can join the Dashing White Sergeant or simply watch from the sidelines.
On the day itself, look out for whisky tastings in Edinburgh pubs, Scottish menus and special offers. In 2025 Forever Edinburgh ran resident reward offers for EH postcodes; check whether they return for 2026.
Santa Fun Run and Santa Paws: Sunday 6 December
The Santa Fun Run & Walk marks 22 years in 2026. Santas, elves, Olafs and other festive creatures run, jog or walk a 2.5km wheel-friendly circuit in the Gardens to raise money for When You Wish Upon a Star, a charity that grants wishes to children with life-threatening illnesses.
- Entry: Adult Santa £15 (12+), Junior Santa £5 (ages 5–11), Elf £3 (ages 2–4); groups of 4 or more get 20% off.
- Every pre-registered runner gets a Santa suit or elf hat and a finisher’s medal.
- Santa Paws is the dog-friendly version, with festive outfits, games, prizes and photo opportunities for your pooch.
- Register through the official sign-up page; event hours are 9.30am–2pm.
Photo: Calum McRoberts, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Where to meet Santa in Edinburgh
The city’s main grotto experience is Santa’s Stories, running 20 November to 24 December in Santa’s cabin in the Gardens. Each booked session is a short festive tale with Santa and his elves; one ticket covers a child plus an accompanying adult, so book ahead.
Garden centres, hotels and attractions around the city also run Santa breakfasts and grottos. These sell out early, so book as soon as dates appear, or catch Santa for free at the lantern concert on 22 November.
Hanukkah in Edinburgh
Hanukkah 2026 begins on the evening of Friday 4 December and runs for eight nights to Saturday 12 December. Each winter Chabad of Edinburgh hosts the Scottish National Chanukah Celebration around a giant menorah in the city centre: in 2025 the 18th edition, on Sunday 14 December, drew hundreds of people for the lighting, followed by latkes and doughnuts in a marquee.
The 2026 date has not been announced yet, so check Chabad of Edinburgh nearer the time. The lighting is free and everyone is welcome.
Light trails at the Zoo and the Botanics
Two after-dark trails bookend the season. Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns returns for 60 nights, from 13 November 2026 to 21 February 2027, with a new space-safari theme on a one-mile route; entry runs 4.45–8pm, tickets start at £14 and under-3s go free with a ticket.
Christmas at the Botanics lights up the Royal Botanic Garden from 19 November to 30 December, with timed slots from 4.15pm. Our Christmas markets and light trails guide has more on both.
Photo: Magnus Hagdorn, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Hogmanay: 29 December to 1 January
The festive season peaks with Edinburgh’s Hogmanay: the Torchlight Procession, the Street Party, concerts, ceilidhs and the New Year’s Day dip. Times, prices and age rules are all in our full New Year guide.
January and February: Turner, Burns and rugby
The festivities don’t stop once the Christmas decorations come down. January and February make a good time for a quieter, cheaper winter break in Edinburgh:
- Turner in January: the Vaughan Bequest of JMW Turner watercolours goes on show only in January, when light levels are lowest. Free, daily 10am–5pm, 1–31 January 2027, at the Scottish National Gallery on the Mound.
- Burns Night, Monday 25 January 2027: hotels, restaurants and pubs host Burns suppers with haggis, neeps and tatties, the Address to a Haggis and poetry. Book popular suppers several weeks ahead.
- Six Nations rugby: Scotland host Italy on Saturday 6 February (2.10pm) and Wales on Saturday 13 February (4.40pm) at Murrayfield, with Ireland on Friday 5 March. The city fills on match days, so book hotels early. See the Scottish Rugby fixtures.
- Lunar New Year falls on 6 February 2027. Edinburgh’s Chinese New Year programme ran from 15 February to 1 March in 2026; 2027 dates are TBC, so check Forever Edinburgh’s listings.
Tips for enjoying Edinburgh in winter
- Daylight is short: in December the sun sets before 4pm, so plan outdoor sightseeing for the morning and save lit-up events for the evening.
- Dress for wind and rain. Outdoor stages and runs go ahead in most weather, and waterproof boots matter more than a smart coat.
- Free events at the bandstand need no ticket, but the best spots fill quickly; for anything booked, buy early as December weekends sell out.
- Mid-week visits in late November or January give you shorter queues and lower Edinburgh hotel prices than festive weekends.
- Fuel up between outings with our picks for festive food and drink, and find the best backdrops in our Christmas shopping and photo spots guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What winter festivals are on in Edinburgh in 2026?
Edinburgh’s Winter Festival runs from 14 November 2026 to early January, with the Christmas programme and New Year celebrations. Alongside it are Edinburgh Diwali on 15 November, a free lantern concert on 22 November, a free St Andrew’s Day ceilidh on 29 November, the Santa Run on 6 December and the Hanukkah menorah lighting.
When is Diwali in Edinburgh in 2026?
Sunday 15 November 2026. The free event starts with a parade through the New Town at 12.30pm, continues with performances at the Ross Bandstand and ends with fireworks beneath the castle at about 6.30pm.
When do the Edinburgh Christmas lights get switched on?
The city’s Christmas season opens on 14 November 2026 with a free Kick Off Concert, and the free Light Night Concert follows on Sunday 22 November, 3–6pm, with a lantern parade and a visit from Santa.
How much is the Edinburgh Santa Run?
Entry for the 2026 Santa Fun Run & Walk on 6 December is £15 for adults (12+), £5 for ages 5–11 and £3 for ages 2–4, including a Santa suit or elf hat and a medal.
Are there free winter events in Edinburgh?
Yes. Diwali, the 22 November lantern concert, the St Andrew’s Day ceilidh, Edinburgh Sings! and other weekend concerts at the Ross Bandstand are free with no ticket, as are the Turner watercolours and the Hanukkah lighting.
What is on in Edinburgh in January and February?
Turner’s watercolours at the National Gallery (free), Burns suppers on 25 January, the zoo’s lantern trail until 21 February, and Six Nations rugby at Murrayfield on 6 and 13 February 2027.