Quick summary
- Dates: 14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027;
- Where: East Princes Street Gardens, with more festive areas in West Princes Street Gardens and on George Street;
- Opening hours: usually 10am–10pm, closed on 25 December;
- Entry: free – rides like the Big Wheel (from £12) and Star Flyer (from £15.50) cost extra;
- Payment: cashless, so bring a card;
- Best time: weekday daytime for fewer crowds, after dark for the best atmosphere;
- Getting there: a 2-minute walk from Edinburgh Waverley.
Edinburgh is especially charming at Christmas. The Old Town glows above Princes Street Gardens, the smell of mulled wine and cinnamon fills the city centre, and I always find myself stopping at the bratwurst stall, even when I try not to.
Here’s some good news: you don’t need a ticket for the main Christmas Market.
Entry to East and West Princes Street Gardens is free, but rides and attractions like the Big Wheel, the Star Flyer and other experiences cost extra.
I can’t wait for Christmas in Edinburgh, and here I’ll be sharing my impressions of the 2026 Christmas market. I’ll update this post as the market opens and full details become available – covering prices, this year’s main attractions, and any new or exciting features.
And yes, I’ll probably mention the bratwurst again.
Edinburgh Christmas Market 2026 at a Glance
Dates
14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027
Entry:
Free
Main Christmas Market:
East Princes Street Gardens
Other main festive areas:
West Princes Street Gardens and George Street
Official hours are 10:00–22:00 daily.
Except:
- 17.November 16:00–22:00
- 24.December 10:00–20:00
- 25.December closed
- 26.December 12:00–20:00
- 31.December 10:00–17:00
- 1.January 12:00–20:00
- 3.January 10:00–18:00
Nearest train station:
Edinburgh Waverley, 2 min walk from the Christmas Market.
Best time for smaller crowds:
Visit on weekdays or earlier in the day.
Best time for atmosphere:
Late afternoon into the evening, when the Christmas lights are on.
How long to spend:
Plan for about 1–2 hours at the main market, or longer if you want to enjoy food, rides, and other festive areas.
Paid separately, check the prices
Payment:
Edinburgh’s Christmas event sites are cashless, so bring a card or use contactless payment methods.
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Save the important details for later.
Dates, opening times, ticket prices, and festive tips – everything you need to plan your trip.
Things to Know Before You Go
- Edinburgh hosts one of the UK’s longest-running Christmas festivals.
- Yes, the giant wheel really is as cold at the top as you think.
And yes, I do repeatedly tell myself “Don’t buy another overpriced bratwurst”. Yet every year, I end up buying one anyway, because somehow the festive Christmas sausage tastes better here than anywhere else. I don’t make the rules.
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It’s not just locals who think Edinburgh’s Christmas market is special. In a recent ranking of the UK’s Best Christmas Markets, Edinburgh took second place, ahead of many other festive favourites. Spend just one evening under the lights in East Princes Street Gardens, and you’ll see why.
local tip
Don’t feel you have to go as soon as the market opens. I prefer arriving later in the afternoon and staying after dark. The skyline and Christmas lights make the atmosphere feel completely different.
In this article
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When Is Edinburgh Christmas Market 2026?
The Christmas celebrations take place from 14.November 2026 to 3.January 2027, but each market, ride, and attraction may have different opening hours.
Edinburgh Christmas Market Opening Times
Official hours are 10.00–22.00 daily.
Except:
- 17.November 16:00–22:00
- 24.December 10:00–20:00
- 25.December closed
- 26.December 12:00–20:00
- 31.December 10:00–17:00
- 1.January 12:00–20:00
- 3.January 10:00–18:00
What Is the Best Time to Visit Edinburgh Christmas Market?
The best time to visit Edinburgh Christmas Market depends on what’s most important to you: fewer crowds, great photos, or the full festive atmosphere.
Personally, I like to arrive in the city centre in the late afternoon and stay until after dark.
Edinburgh gets dark quite early in November and December, which actually works in your favour.
Evenings offer the best atmosphere and photo opportunities. The glow of the Old Town skyline behind the market is something I never get tired of.
Best Time for Fewer Crowds
To avoid crowds, visit on a weekday and go earlier in the day.
Friday evenings, Saturdays, and the last weekends before Christmas are usually much busier.
The main market feels different when it is crowded, especially near the food stalls and popular attractions. Visiting earlier on a weekday is a much more relaxed experience.
Best Time for Christmas Atmosphere
For the best atmosphere, I like to visit in the late afternoon and stay into the evening.
That is when the Edinburgh Christmas Market truly comes alive.
The lights are shining, the rides are glowing, and the Old Town creates a dramatic backdrop above the market.
There are usually more people than during the day, but if this is your first Christmas in Edinburgh, it is worth experiencing.
Best Time for Photos
For photos, try to visit as day turns into night.
Start when there is still some natural light, then stay through dusk and into the evening.
You will see completely different views in a short time, especially around Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument, and the Mound.
local tip
If I were showing a friend Edinburgh at Christmas, I would not start at the main market.
I would start in the West End or New Town in the afternoon, wander through the Christmas lights and festive streets, and reach the main market after dark.
This way, the market becomes the highlight of the evening, rather than the entire experience.
Where Is Edinburgh Christmas Market?
East Princes Street Gardens · West Princes Street Gardens · George Street
East Princes Street Gardens
This is where you’ll find the Traditional Christmas Market, with around 70 stalls selling gifts, clothing, jewellery, crafts, festive food and drinks.
It is also home to two of the biggest attractions: the 46-metre LNER Big Wheel and the 80-metre Star Flyer.
If someone says “Edinburgh Christmas Market”, they usually mean this area.
West Princes Street Gardens
Walk to the other side of the Mound, and you’ll reach West Princes Street Gardens.
This area has a more family-focused feel, with the Festive Family Funfair, rides, festive food and drink, illuminations and events around the Ross Bandstand.
It is worth visiting even if you are not travelling with children, especially if you are walking through the gardens toward the West End.
George Street
George Street adds another part of the Christmas experience, including the Polar Ice Bar, the Family Ice Experience and Coorie Inn. There is no ice rink on George Street in 2026.
It is only a short walk from Princes Street Gardens, so I wouldn’t treat it as a separate trip. It’s better to include it as part of a Christmas walk through the city centre.
That’s also how I like to explore Edinburgh at Christmas. Instead of going straight to the main market and leaving, I visit the different festive areas as part of one afternoon and evening walk.
Do You Need Tickets for Edinburgh Christmas Market?
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No, you do not need a ticket to enter Edinburgh Christmas Market.
Entry to the Christmas sites in East and West Princes Street Gardens is free, so you can walk around the market, browse the stalls and enjoy the atmosphere without buying anything.
However, many of the rides and attractions cost extra.
SAVE IT FOR LATER
Don’t lose this Edinburgh Christmas guide
Planning Edinburgh at Christmas? Save the useful details – dates, times, prices and tips, for later.
How Much Does Edinburgh Christmas Market Cost?
You can visit the Edinburgh Christmas Market without spending any money.
Entry is free, so you don’t pay to walk through the main market and enjoy the atmosphere.
What you end up spending depends on three things:
- food and drinks
- rides and attractions
- how successfully you manage to walk past the festive stalls without buying anything
I have to admit, I’m not very good at the last one.
If you’re on a budget, it helps to decide ahead of time what’s most important to you. Grabbing a festive snack and strolling through the lights feels different from having dinner, drinks, and trying out several attractions.
Edinburgh Christmas Market Rides & Attractions
Edinburgh Christmas Market is not just a collection of stalls. The festive programme also includes rides and ticketed attractions spread across the city-centre Christmas areas.
Some are designed for families, while others are just as much fun for adults who want to feel like kids again.
The Big Wheel
The LNER Big Wheel in East Princes Street Gardens is one of the market’s most recognisable attractions.
At around 46 metres high, it gives you a completely different perspective over central Edinburgh.
The views are impressive, but it feels much colder up there in winter than it does on the ground.
good to know
Dates: 14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Tickets: from £12
Enclosed pods; ticket valid for one ride on the selected date, without a fixed session time.
Star Flyer
If a gentle ride on the Big Wheel sounds far too sensible, the 80-metre Star Flyer is the more adventurous alternative.
The Star Flyer lifts you high above the Christmas Market and gives you spectacular views of the city centre.
Whether spinning above Edinburgh and enjoying those views sounds like festive fun is up to you.
good to know
Dates: 14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Tickets: from £15.50
Minimum height 1.2m; riders under 1.4m need a paying responsible adult.
Ice Skating
There is no Christmas ice rink on George Street in 2026 – for the first time in almost 30 years.
If you want to go skating, Winter Wonderland at The Gyle Shopping Centre has ice skating from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. It’s outside the city centre, but easy to reach by tram – the Gyle Centre stop is on the airport line.
If you want to go skating, it’s best to check availability and book your time in advance instead of waiting until you arrive.
Even if you don’t skate, it’s still fun to stop and watch for a while, especially if you have something warm to hold.
good to know
Where: The Gyle Shopping Centre (Gyle Centre tram stop)
Dates: 27 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Opening hours: Monday–Friday 3pm–9pm, weekends 12pm–9pm
Polar Ice Bar
The Polar Ice Bar is one of the more unusual Christmas experiences in Edinburgh.
Inside, nearly everything is made of ice, even the glass your drink comes in.
You’ll get a jacket and gloves before you enter, but my advice is the same: don’t lick the walls.
The bar is for adults (18+) and is open from 19 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, outside 115 George Street, near Charlotte Square. Tickets start at £16.50 and include your first drink.
Family Ice Experience with Icelandair
Dates: 21 November 2026 – 3 January 2027
Tickets: from £12
Duration: 20 min
Apple juice in an ice glass or a hot-chocolate alternative. Under-18-months enter free if carried.
Family Attractions
West Princes Street Gardens is the family-friendly Christmas area, with fairground rides, activities, and plenty of festive food and drink.
The attractions can change each year, so check the latest programme before promising anyone a specific ride.
Food & Drink at Edinburgh Christmas Market
Food is a big part of the Edinburgh Christmas Market, but your wallet might not be as excited about it as you are.
You’ll find lots of festive favourites and some more indulgent choices. Bratwurst, loaded fries, crêpes, sweet treats, hot chocolate, and mulled wine are all on offer.
In my opinion, the market is best when you pick one or two things you really want, instead of treating it like your main place to eat.
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The food isn’t cheap, but you’re also paying for the setting and the atmosphere.
2026 Food & Drink Prices in Edinburgh Christmas Market
The 2026 market isn’t open yet, so I’ll update this table after my first visit of the season.
To give you a better idea of what to expect, here are some prices I found at the 2025 Edinburgh Christmas Market:
Food / Drink
2025 Price
Hot chocolate
£5
Crepe
from £7
Sticky toffee pudding
£7.50
Parmesan fries
£8.50
Jacket potato with sour cream & cheese
£8.90
Giant bratwurst
£9.50
Handcrafted pies
£12.95
Currywurst & chips
£13.50
Highland pizza
£14
I’ll visit the market again when the 2026 season starts and update these with this year’s prices.
What I Would Try
I’ll update this section once the 2026 traders are open and I’ve had a good look around.
My general rule is simple: choose something you really want, instead of just grabbing the first festive thing you see.
LOCAL BUDGET TIP
Don’t plan to eat every meal at the Christmas Market.
I love grabbing a festive treat here, but market food adds up surprisingly quickly.
If you’re visiting on a budget, choose one thing you genuinely want to try and then head a few minutes away from Princes Street Gardens for a proper sit-down meal.
You’ll often get better value, somewhere warm to sit, and a chance to escape the crowds for a while.
How to Get to Edinburgh Christmas Market
Walking · Bus · Tram · Car
If you’re staying in central Edinburgh, walking is usually the easiest way to get there.
By train: Edinburgh Waverley is the nearest railway station and just a short walk from East Princes Street Gardens.
By tram: Princes Street and St Andrew Square tram stops are both handy for the Christmas Market.
If you’re coming from the other side of the city centre, West End stop is also useful.
By bus: Many Lothian Buses stop on Princes Street and around the city centre.
By car: I don’t recommend driving into central Edinburgh just for the Christmas Market. There’s no special event parking, city centre parking is limited, and December is one of the busiest times of year.
Arriving from Edinburgh Airport?
Both the tram and the Airlink 100 bus are easy ways to reach the city centre, and both will get you within walking distance of the Christmas Market.
Both the tram and the Airlink 100 bus are easy ways to reach the city centre, and both will get you within walking distance of the Christmas Market.
I’ve compared the options, including journey times, prices, and which one might suit you best, in my guide How to Get from Edinburgh Airport to the City Centre.
Is Edinburgh Christmas Market Worth Visiting?
Yes, but I think it’s worth visiting for a slightly different reason than most people expect.
If you are looking for the cheapest food, completely unique shopping or a quiet local experience, the main Christmas Market probably won’t be the highlight of your Edinburgh trip.
It is busy, food and drinks can be expensive, and some stalls are similar to those you’ll find at other large Christmas markets around Europe.
But that isn’t really why I go.
What makes Edinburgh Christmas Market special is the setting.
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You have the Old Town rising above Princes Street Gardens, the Scott Monument beside you, Christmas lights filling the city centre and Edinburgh Castle appearing between the buildings as you move around.
After dark, it is hard not to get caught up in the atmosphere.
I Think You’ll Enjoy It If…
- this is your first Christmas visit to Edinburgh
- you love festive lights and atmosphere
- you want good evening photo opportunities
- you enjoy Christmas food and drinks
- you want to combine the market with other city-centre Christmas attractions
You May Enjoy It Less If…
- you strongly dislike crowds
- you expect bargain prices
- shopping for genuinely local products is your main priority
- you only visit at the busiest time on a Saturday evening
My advice is simple: don’t make the Christmas Market your entire Edinburgh Christmas experience.
Visit it, enjoy it, have the bratwurst, but also explore the streets, lights and neighbourhoods around it.
Edinburgh Christmas Market FAQ
When Does Edinburgh Christmas Market Start in 2026?
Edinburgh’s Christmas begins on 14 November 2026 and runs until 3 January 2027.
Where Is Edinburgh Christmas Market?
The main Traditional Christmas Market is held in East Princes Street Gardens, directly beside Princes Street and a short walk from Edinburgh Waverley Station.
Additional festive attractions are found in West Princes Street Gardens and George Street.
Is Edinburgh Christmas Market Free?
Yes. Entry to Edinburgh’s Christmas at East and West Princes Street Gardens is free.
You only pay for whatever you choose to buy, eat or drink, plus ticketed rides and attractions.
Do You Need Tickets for Edinburgh Christmas Market?
You do not need a ticket simply to enter and browse the Christmas Market.
Rides and ticketed attractions are charged separately. Pre-booking is sensible if there is a particular attraction you definitely do not want to miss.
What Are Edinburgh Christmas Market Opening Times?
The market is normally open 10:00–22:00 daily and is closed on Christmas Day (25 December).
Shorter hours apply on 17 November (16:00–22:00), 24 December (10:00–20:00), 26 December (12:00–20:00), 31 December (10:00–17:00), 1 January (12:00–20:00) and 3 January (10:00–18:00).
Is Edinburgh Christmas Market Cancelled in 2026?
No. Edinburgh’s Christmas is officially scheduled to return from 14 November 2026 until 3 January 2027.
If you have seen older articles or social media posts referring to cancellations from previous years, check the date — the 2026 festival is currently scheduled to go ahead.
Is There an Ice Rink at Edinburgh’s Christmas in 2026?
No. The George Street Christmas ice rink will not return in 2026.
If you want to go skating, Winter Wonderland at The Gyle Shopping Centre has ice skating from 27 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, and it’s easy to reach by tram.
Is Edinburgh Christmas Market Cashless?
Yes. Edinburgh’s Christmas event sites are cashless, so bring a payment card or use contactless payment.
Can You Take Dogs to Edinburgh Christmas Market?
Dogs are welcome at the East and West Princes Street Gardens sites but must be kept on a lead.
Some rides and attractions only allow assistance dogs.
What Is the Best Time to Visit Edinburgh Christmas Market?
For fewer crowds, I would visit on a weekday and earlier in the day.
For the best festive atmosphere, my choice is late afternoon into the evening. That gives you the chance to see Edinburgh in daylight before the Christmas lights take over.
