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.
WHEN?
The Edinburgh Christmas Market is the heart of the festivities, returning for the 2026 season from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027.
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, ice skating, 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
Opening hours:
Dates are confirmed, but the exact daily opening times for 2026 aren’t yet confirmed. I’ll keep an eye on it and update this guide soon.
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.
Rides & attractions:
Paid separately
Payment:
Edinburgh’s Christmas event sites are cashless, so bring a card or use contactless payment methods.
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.
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..
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.
In this article
Add a header to begin generating the table of contents
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
The daily opening times for the 2026 Edinburgh Christmas Market are not available yet. Last year, the main market was open every day from 10:00 to 22:00.
I will update this section as soon as the full 2026 schedule is released.
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 festive attractions such as the ice rink and Polar Ice Bar.
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.
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.
Do You Need Tickets for Edinburgh Christmas Market?
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.
These can include experiences such as:
- the LNER Big Wheel
- ice skating
- Santa’s Stories
- other seasonal rides and attractions
Should You Book Attractions in Advance?
You don’t need to plan every minute of your Christmas Market visit.
But if there is one specific attraction you definitely want to experience, booking in advance removes the risk of arriving to find your preferred time or day sold out. Especially if you are visiting on a weekend or during the busiest weeks of December.
For everything else, I prefer keeping some flexibility – Edinburgh weather has a habit of changing plans.
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.
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.
Ice Skating
Ice skating is another popular part of Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations.
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.
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 thermal cape before you enter, but my advice is the same: don’t lick the walls.
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.
❝
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.
More Festive Things to Do Around the City
Edinburgh doesn’t stop at one market. December fills the entire city with events, light shows, and cosy corners worth exploring.
Ice Skating on George Street
Nothing says “festive city break” like wobbling on ice while pretending you’re more graceful than you actually are. The George Street rink is perfect whether you’re skating or just watching with a hot chocolate in hand.
From the rink, I often stop by The Alexander Graham Bell pub next door. The decorations are lovely, the atmosphere is warm, and their Christmas menu is ideal for thawing frozen fingers.
Polar Ice Bar
One of my favourite quirks of Edinburgh at Christmas — the Icebar.
Everything is made from ice: the walls, the sculptures, and even the glass your drink is served in.
You get a thermal cape, but trust me: don’t lick the walls. They may look tempting.
Read more Polar Ice Bar in Edinburgh
Ross Fountain
One of the prettiest photo spots in the city — especially when you’re in the festive spirit—is right by the fountain with Edinburgh Castle illuminated in the background.
Standing there feels like you’ve stepped into a Christmas film. You can even add Santa to your picture for an extra touch of holiday magic!
It’s the perfect scene to capture the essence of the season and create unforgettable memories.
Often home to small events, food stalls, and illuminated decorations. It’s also a lovely stop between George Street and Princes Street.
More things to do in Edinburgh: Edinburgh in One Day: Top 10 Things You Can’t Miss
Christmas in Edinburgh is more than just twinkling lights and market stalls—it’s a feeling.
A mix of history, storytelling, winter magic, and the comforting knowledge that even if you said you wouldn’t spend £8 on a bratwurst… you absolutely will.
Whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning for a festive tradition, I hope this guide helps you make the most of your time.
And if you need help planning your route, booking restaurants, or creating an itinerary tailored to your interests, I’m always happy to help.
