Few Christmas markets have a setting like Edinburgh’s. The Edinburgh Christmas market runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, and its stalls sit in a valley below the castle, with the Old Town rising on one side and Princes Street on the other, and a big wheel turning over the lot. It suits couples, families and anyone who wants a winter city break with more going on than a market alone.
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No machine-readable author provided. Ulayiti assumed (bas… / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 East Princes Street Gardens
The Traditional Christmas Market's 70 or so stalls sit in a valley below the castle, with the Big Wheel and the 80m Starflyer turning overhead.
Book the Starflyer for just after dark.
Jim Barton / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 Scott Monument
The Gothic spire of the monument to Sir Walter Scott rises right beside the market stalls, a landmark to meet by.
Anthony O'Neil / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0 West Princes Street Gardens
The Festive Family Funfair sets up here beneath the castle, with illuminations, Santa's Stories, a letter-writing post box and events at the Ross Bandstand.
Thomas Hosmer Shepherd / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain George Street ice rink
An undercover rink fills the New Town's grand street, with the Polar Ice Bar next door kept at around -10°C, jackets and gloves supplied.
Book evening skating slots ahead at weekends.
Enric / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 Edinburgh Castle
Lit up on its rock above the gardens, the castle is the backdrop that makes this market unlike any other.
Kim Traynor / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 3.0 Royal Mile
The Old Town's spine climbs towards the castle, lined with closes and warm pubs where you can end the day with a dram of whisky.
Edinburgh Christmas market 2026 dates and opening hours
Edinburgh’s Christmas runs from Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, according to the official festival site and the city’s tourism site, Forever Edinburgh. The Traditional Christmas Market is open 10:00 to 22:00 daily, except Christmas Day.
| Attraction | 2026–27 dates | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Traditional Christmas Market, East Princes Street Gardens | 14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | 10:00–22:00 daily; closed 25 Dec |
| LNER Big Wheel, East Princes Street Gardens | 14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | 10:00–22:00, last admission 21:30 |
| Around the World Starflyer, East Princes Street Gardens | 14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027 | 10:00–22:00, last admission 21:30 |
| Polar Ice Bar and Family Ice Experience, George Street | Ice Bar 19 Nov 2026 – 2 Jan 2027; family sessions from 21 Nov | Timed 30-minute sessions |
| George Street ice rink, Festive Family Funfair | Within the festival dates | Session and ride times on the official site |
The organisers note that times can change, so check edwinterfest.com for the latest before you travel. Holiday-period hours for 24, 26 and 31 December and 1 January had not been listed separately by mid-October.
Where it is: the "German market" and the other sites
The event spreads across three main sites in the New Town and the gardens below it, all within a short walk of each other and of Waverley station.
East Princes Street Gardens
This is the heart of it, and the spot many people still call the Edinburgh German market. Today it is the Traditional Christmas Market, with about 70 stalls of clothing, jewellery, handmade gifts and local and international food and drink. The LNER Big Wheel (46m) and the much taller Starflyer (80m) stand here too, and both give wide views over the castle, the Old Town and beyond. The market is free to enter. The rides need tickets.
West Princes Street Gardens
The Festive Family Funfair sets up here, with rides and festive food and drink stalls. You’ll also find illuminations, Santa’s Stories and events at the Ross Bandstand.
George Street
An undercover ice rink fills George Street, with toddler sessions and relaxed sessions on set dates. Nearby, outside 115 George Street, the Polar Ice Bar is kept at around -8°C to -10°C, with jackets and gloves supplied. Its 2026 theme is a Viking world. The bar is strictly 18+, while the Family Ice Experience is open to all ages.
What makes it special
The backdrop does most of the work. A ride on the Starflyer at dusk, with the castle lit up above you, is the single best view of the season. The market is compact, so treat it as one part of a longer day that takes in the Old Town, the Royal Mile and a warm pub. Christmas also runs straight into Hogmanay, so a late-December trip gets both.
What to eat and drink
The stalls mix Scottish produce with European market classics.
- Mulled wine: the standard way to warm up between rides.
- Scottish fudge and tablet: sweet, crumbly and easy to take home as gifts.
- Hot sausages and burgers: quick, filling food for families.
- Crêpes and churros: a sweet stop after the funfair.
- Hot chocolate: often with cream or a dash of something stronger for adults.
- Whisky: save a dram of Scotland’s own drink for a warm pub after dark.
How to avoid the crowds
- Go early in the week. Monday to Thursday mornings are the calmest times in the gardens.
- Visit in November. The opening fortnight is much less crowded than mid-December.
- Book rides and skating in advance. Big Wheel and Starflyer tickets are for a set date, and admission is first come, first served on the day, so allow time for queues at weekends and in school holidays.
- Enter from the east end. Most people arrive from Waverley Bridge or the Mound. Start from the far end and work back.
- Use the dark to your advantage. Edinburgh gets dark mid-afternoon in December, so you can see the lights well before the evening rush.
Tip: Ride the Big Wheel or Starflyer just after dark. You get the castle lit up before the peak evening crowds.
Getting there and accessibility
By train: Edinburgh Waverley is about two minutes’ walk from the East Princes Street Gardens entrance. Use the Waverley Bridge exit, which is the most direct and step-free. LNER runs direct trains from London King’s Cross, York and Newcastle.
By tram and bus: Edinburgh Trams stop at St Andrew Square, Princes Street and the West End, and the tram line runs to the airport. Lothian Buses cover the city, and Edinburgh Bus Station is about six minutes’ walk away.
By car: There is no event parking, and city-centre car parks get busy. Use the park and ride sites on the outskirts.
Access: East Princes Street Gardens, West Princes Street Gardens and George Street all have step-free entrances. In West Princes Street Gardens the ramps from Princes Street are steep and partly cobbled, so the King’s Stables Road side is easier. Accessible toilets are on each site; ask staff or security for the key. Big Wheel pods take manual wheelchairs, assistance dogs are welcome at the outdoor sites, and sensory backpacks are available from the East Princes Street Gardens information point. Essential companions can get a complimentary ticket for ticketed attractions; details are on the festival’s access page.
Tip: Stay in the New Town or near Waverley. Everything is walkable, and you avoid late taxis in the cold.
Christmas into Hogmanay
Edinburgh’s Christmas runs until 3 January 2027, so a trip in the last days of December can take in Hogmanay, Scotland’s New Year. Edinburgh’s Hogmanay runs from 29 December 2026 to 1 January 2027, according to Forever Edinburgh. It opens with the Torchlight Procession through the Old Town on 29 December, builds to the Street Party on Princes Street and the Concert in the Gardens on 31 December, and ends with free New Year’s Day events. Headline events need tickets, released through the official festival site, and the city fills up fast, so sort your hotel early.
Make a weekend of it
Edinburgh pairs well with a wider Scottish trip; our guide to the best places to visit in Scotland has ideas for the days either side. For other UK options, see the best Christmas markets in the UK and the York Christmas market, an easy train ride south on the East Coast line. For the full European list, read our best Christmas markets in Europe, and check this weekend for current picks.
FAQ
When does the Edinburgh Christmas market open in 2026?
Edinburgh’s Christmas opens on Saturday 14 November 2026 and runs until Sunday 3 January 2027. The market is open 10:00 to 22:00 daily, except Christmas Day.
Is there still a German market in Edinburgh?
Not under that name. The site in East Princes Street Gardens that many people still call the German market is now the Traditional Christmas Market, with about 70 local and international stalls, alongside the Big Wheel and the Starflyer.
What is in East Princes Street Gardens at Christmas?
The Traditional Christmas Market, food and drink stalls, the 46m LNER Big Wheel and the 80m Starflyer. It is next to Waverley station and below the Scott Monument.
Is the Edinburgh Christmas market free?
Yes, the Traditional Christmas Market is free to enter. Rides, skating and the Polar Ice Bar need tickets.
Is Edinburgh’s Christmas open on Christmas Day?
No. The markets are open daily except Christmas Day. Check the official site for hours on the other holiday dates.
