The Christmas season is almost here, and holiday festivities will soon take place all over the world. If you're looking for a more unique time of the year to visit Edinburgh, this post is perfect for you. To make this Christmas truly special, there are many ways to experience Edinburgh's festive spirit in style and comfort.
Edinburgh is a beautiful city that is full of Christmas cheer. It’s the perfect setting to spend the holidays with your loved ones and enjoy some of the best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas.
This year, we are bringing you a list of some of the best things to do in Edinburgh over Christmas. From festive walks and tours to festive markets and events, there’s plenty to keep you entertained during this festive time of year!
We hope this guide helps you plan your trip over the festive period and make sure you get the most out of it!
.Not sure which walking tours are the best? Check out this article too
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Table of Contents
Here we have listed 17 top places where you can enjoy an unforgettable holiday:
1. Winterfest at Edinburgh Christmas Market
If you want to get away from everything then why not try out the famous Edinburgh Christmas Market. Here are just a glimpse of things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas and what will happen from 15 Nov 2024 to 4 Jan 2025.
- East Princes Street will host market stalls selling arts and crafts and festive food and drinks and the Christmas Market
- The top of East Princes Street Gardens will also be home to the Big Wheel and Helter Skelter
- West Princes Street host to the Festive Family Funfair will include Santa Land, featuring the magical Santa’s Grotto and family-friendly attractions.
- The West Gardens will also hold the Winter Windows Schools Art Project, Garden’s Cottage Lighting and festive illuminations
- Sounds on Saturday – Christmas Favourites and Carols for All, St Giles’ Cathedral Sat, 7 Dec 2024 17:30 – 18:30
- The ice rink on the famous George Street will be undercover, allowing visitors to enjoy the fun in any weather
- Castle Street will host the LocalMotive Castle Street Christmas Market from 18 November to 24 December.
- Santa Experience at St Andrew Square includes relaxed sessions designed for Children with additional needs, learning disabilities, sensory or communication disorders
- St Andrew Square also hosts Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness, and Tree and Gift Donation point, dedicated to giving the gift of Christmas to those who need it most
Looking for a gift from Scotland? Check out our guides
Winter Lights are back this year – see what’s happening when it gets dark outside.
Christmas at Botanic Garden
Ever wonder what it would be like to live in a botanical world, immersed in the joy of Christmas?
Join Christmas Lights at The Botanics where you can experience all the festive cheer. Christmas Cathedral, Digital Rain, Laser Garden, Santa, there are just a few sparkling illuminations.
A delicious twist of tasty treats is also available. Toasted marshmallows for anyone?
Starting Thursday 21 Nov – Sunday 24 Nov; Wednesday 27 Nov – Sunday 1 Dec; Wednesday 4 Dec – Tuesday 24 Dec; Thursday 26 Dec – Monday 30 Dec. Trail times start from 4:00 pm with the last entry at 8 pm. See the booking page for details
Castle of the Light: Magic and Mystery
The festive season is the perfect time to visit Edinburgh Castle. The castle, which has been at the very centre of Scottish history for over 1000 years, will be filled with state-of-the-art lighting installations.
It will illuminate the iconic landmark walls with holograms to make it even more enchanted.
Expect wonder, enchantment and a spectacle of colour this festive season as Edinburgh Castle, the defender of the nation, becomes an indoor winter wonderland.
Access night – Sunday 8 December
On Sunday 8 December Castle of Light for visitors with specific access needs
Audio descriptive tours: 5pm – 5.15pm timeslot
BSL tours: 5.30pm and 7pm
Autism friendly timeslot: 6pm – 8.15pm
DATES
22-23 & 29-30 November; 6-8, 13-15, 20-23 & 27-30 December; 2-4 January
TIMES
4.30pm to 9pm (last entry between 7.30pm and 7.45pm)
See the booking page for details
Check the price and available dates for the guided tours here!
3. Christmas at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
The must thing to do in Edinburgh at Christmas is to visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse.
The Great Gallery will display a 15 foot, glittering Christmas tree adorned with decorations of all sorts.
There will also be lights, making the entire palace seem to shine even brighter this time of year.
They will decorate apartments and the Royal Dining Room with flowers, wreaths and spires of faux candied sugared fruits.
Palace of Holyroodhouse will offer festive events for adults and children through November and December. You can find here the details of the events.
Do not forget their gift shop offers a wide range of exclusive gifts inspired by the royal palaces and the works of art in the Royal Collection.
Insider tip: Complete your visit to the Palace of Holyroodhouse or The Queen’s Gallery with homemade cakes and tea.
Thursday, 23 Nov 2023
Every Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, Sunday (Thursday, 23 Nov 2023 – Monday, 1 Jan 2024)
Excl dates: Monday, 25 Dec 2023, Tuesday, 26 Dec 2023, Wednesday, 27 Dec 2023
4. Edinburgh Afternoon Tea Experience
The best way to get around Edinburgh is by foot, but if you don’t have time or the Edinburgh weather is not what you like, then opt for a tour on the vintage 1966 Routemaster Bus.
We found what might be the coolest way to do afternoon tea in Edinburgh on a double-decker bus! So whilst you take in the stunning sights of Edinburgh, you can indulge in first-class traditional afternoon teas.
Red Bus Tour Departing at 12 pm or 3 pm, Tuesday to Sunday
Below, you can find the best ticket prices during your holiday
5. Christmas Walking Tour with Gingerbread Treat.
Experience Edinburgh during the festive season on a walking tour from the Royal Mile to Princes Street. Feel the Christmas spirit at Castle Street Christmas Market, and try traditional gingerbread.
- Experience the charm of Castle Street Christmas Market and its festive delights
- Meander through Edinburgh’s New Town and uncover local holiday traditions
- Glide into the holiday spirit at the iconic Christmas ice rink on George Street
- Soak in the festive spirit of Rose Street, adorned with many dazzling lights
- Indulge in gingerbread at the Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens
6. Guided tour and whisky tasting
Winter is perfect for enjoying a dram or two of the finest whisky. This guided tour will introduce you to the aromas of the drink while walking you through the production stages.
A ride in a whisky barrel? Oh man, you can’t wait to see the World’s biggest collection of Scotch whisky!
7. Chocolatarium Tour, Tasting & Chocolate Making
Edinburgh’s winter visit could not be completed without tasting and making chocolate.
This tour is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas.
This unique tour allows you to make your chocolates using various chocolate moulds.
In the Chocolate Kitchen, you can choose your bar design, select your favourite flavours and create your personalized bar.
The entire experience is very interactive for both children and adults, whilst you learn a lot about the history of chocolate from the Aztecs to the first chocolate bar and the newest inventions.
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Have a limited time in Edinburgh? Then the Royal Edinburgh ticket is a perfect solution. For the 48h, you can use all three City Tours (Edinburgh Tour, Majestic Tour and CitySightseeing Edinburgh) plus entry to Edinburgh Castle, Palace of Holyroodhouse and The Royal Yacht Britannia.
9. Hogmanay New Year's Eve Fireworks
Oh, New Year’s Eve celebrations – the event takes place every year on December 31st and has become something of a symbol for the city.
You get to enjoy spectacular fireworks displays over the castle and other historic venues in town. It doesn’t get more exciting than this!
You can watch the fireworks for free (they are visible all over the city) but if you like to join the street party you need to buy the tickets
Friday 29 Dec 2023 – New Year’s Day 2024
10. Torchlight Procession
Get ready for an awesome time at the rebooted event – it’s gonna be a carnival extravaganza!
Get ready to soak up the lively atmosphere with tons of live Street Theatre performances, mesmerizing Fire Performers, energetic Pipe Bands, and talented Drummers.
Before the procession, the Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad create a magnificent river of fire through the Old Town of the capital.
TBC 2024
The Meadows to City Centre
(New start location!)
Buy your tickets here
Check the prices and available dates for the guided tours in Edinburgh!
11. See Scottish Opera & Ballet
Enjoying opera and ballet performances during the holidays is something everyone should do once in their lifetime. And what better way than watching them live from the magnificent stage of the Usher Hall?
12. Disney’s The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert Live to Film
The Muppets perform Charles Dickens’ classic holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge (Michael Caine). Gonzo, as Dickens, narrates the story with the help of Rizzo the Rat. The film also features Miss Piggy as Emily Cratchit, Fozzie Bear as Fozziwig, and Robin the Frog as Tiny Tim.
When the grumpy Scrooge receives Christmas Eve visits from the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Future, they show him the error of his self-serving ways. Though the miserable old man seems beyond any hope of redemption and happiness, the kind and humble Bob Cratchit, his family, and the Spirits open Scrooge’s eyes – and his heart – to the true meaning of Christmas.
Buy your tickets here
Usher Hall 7:00pm, Wed 4 Dec 2024
13. JK Rowling's Edinburgh and the Writing of Harry Potter Tour
This tour is not like the others. You get to see areas tucked away from main tourist areas and items relevant to Harry Potter. The guide is a ‘Harry Potter’ fan who shares fascinating details about the wizarding world in Edinburgh.
It takes 4 h of listening and walking, so come prepared for 5 km of up-and-down walking through Edinburgh’s hilly old town. You’ll see the inspiration for many locations in the Wizarding World, including Old College and Greyfriars Kirkyard.
14. Candlelit Concert at St. Giles’ Cathedral
Sun 31 Dec 20 6.30pm – 8pm
A festive celebration seeing in the New Year in the candlelit atmosphere of St Giles’ Cathedral as it celebrates its 900th anniversary in 2024.
This year’s concert marks the festive season with the first three cantatas from J.S.Bach’s Christmas Oratorio: Bach at his most exuberant.
Buy your tickets here
15. Vivaldi Four Seasons at Christmas by Candlelight
Enjoy an exceptional musical evening in the lead-up to Christmas with a performance of Vivaldi’s timeless classic, The Four Seasons along with Rachmaninov’s ever-popular Second Piano Concerto, in the spectacular candlelit setting of St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, Palmerston Place in Edinburgh.
Sat 7 Dec 2024, 7:30PM – 9:30PM
16. Edinburgh International Magic Festival
“The best magicians in the world, in the world’s most magical city.”
The Europe’s biggest festival of innovative and cutting-edge magic that promotes magic as an art form and celebrates the limitless possibilities of human imagination.
Get ready to have your mind blown with an amazing lineup of shows, events, and workshops that will bring so much wonder and fun to the holiday season
17- 30 December 2023
17. Markets and Fairs
- Edinburgh Farmers Market, Castle Terrace, every Saturday
- Leith Market, Dock Place, every Saturday
- Stockbridge Market, Saunders Street, every Sunday
- Christmas Craft Fair, Assembly rooms, 2-3 December
- Christmas Fair at Jupiter Artland, 9-10 December
- Christmas Shopping Fair at Hopetoun House Friday 24th, Saturday 25th & Sunday 26th November 2023
Where to stay in Edinburgh this Christmas
As mentioned earlier, it doesn’t matter what your budget is; whether you’re looking for a romantic escape or simply want to enjoy a few days off work, Edinburgh offers everything that makes a holiday memorable. For a taste of home away from home, book now one of Edinburgh hotels with the best festive decorations.
- 5*Balmoral Hotel – An iconic, luxury hotel located at the most prestigious address in the city centre
- 5*Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian an imposing hotel with views of Edinburgh Castle
- 4* InterContinental Edinburgh the George, an IHG Hotel combines five Georgian houses welcoming guests since 1881
- Cheval The Edinburgh Grand is a collection of prestigious serviced apartments in a very grand location
- 4*The Rutland Hotel glamorous and stylish has bedrooms and serviced apartments
- 5* The Witchery by the Castle luxury in a Gothic style property with a range of opulent suites
- 4* Hilton Edinburgh Carlton is an impressive Victorian building with an excellent location in the heart of the Old Town
- 4* Nira Caledonia luxury boutique hotel in the heart of elegant New Town
Below, you can find the best prices during your holiday
Looking for gift guides?
Check the prices and available dates for the guided tours in Edinburgh!
