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
Edinburgh’s Christmas runs from Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, according to the city’s official tourism site, Forever Edinburgh. The LNER Big Wheel opens on 14 November, and the ice rink on George Street opens on 21 November 2026. Attractions have traditionally opened every day except Christmas Day; check the official programme for this season’s daily times.
The festival is run under the Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals banner, which also covers Hogmanay. Programme details and tickets sit on edwinterfest.com.
Where it is: the "German market" and the other sites
The event spreads across three main sites in the New Town, 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: the Traditional Christmas Market, with about 70 stalls selling local and international food, drink and crafts. 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 the Firth of Forth. The market itself is free to enter. The rides need tickets.
West Princes Street Gardens
The Festive Family Funfair sets up here, with rides and food stalls. You’ll also find illuminations, Santa’s Stories, a Santa letter-writing station and post box, and events at the Ross Bandstand.
George Street
An undercover ice rink fills George Street, with toddler sessions, relaxed sessions with lower capacity and softer lighting, and an adults-only evening session. Next to it, the Polar Ice Bar is kept at around -10°C, with jackets and gloves supplied.
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 it’s best treated 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. Popular evening slots can sell out, especially at weekends and during 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: Book the Big Wheel or Starflyer for just after dark. You get the castle lit up without queuing at peak evening hours.
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, on 31 December. Hogmanay runs under the same Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals banner, and its headline events have needed tickets in past years, so check the official programme on edinburgh.org for this year’s events before you book a hotel, as the city fills up fast.
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 14 November 2026 and runs until 3 January 2027. The George Street ice rink opens on 21 November 2026.
Is the Edinburgh German market open in 2026?
Yes. The market in East Princes Street Gardens, which many people still call the German market, is part of Edinburgh’s Christmas, which runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Today it is billed as the Traditional Christmas Market, with local and international stalls.
Where is the Edinburgh Christmas market?
The main market is in East Princes Street Gardens, next to Waverley station and below the Scott Monument. The funfair is in West Princes Street Gardens and the ice rink is on George Street.
Is the Edinburgh Christmas market free?
Yes, the Traditional Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens is free to enter. Rides, skating and the Polar Ice Bar need tickets.
Do you need to book for Edinburgh’s Christmas?
You don’t need to book the market. For the Big Wheel, Starflyer and ice rink, booking ahead is wise at weekends and in the weeks before Christmas.
Is Edinburgh’s Christmas open on Christmas Day?
In past seasons attractions have closed on Christmas Day. Check the official Edinburgh’s Christmas programme for this year’s opening times.
