Top Things to Do in Edinburgh at Christmas [Up-to-date info for 2020]

Edinburgh is *always* a good idea and even more so during the festive season. Edinburgh at Christmas time is truly magical. The whole town comes to life, the streets are decked in lights, the Christmas market is in full swing and there is a truly wonderful atmosphere in the town.

Update 2020 – given the recent corona coaster we’ve all been on, you won’t be surprised to hear that Edinburgh’s Christmas festival isn’t going to resemble its usual form. As at 1st October, an announcement has sadly been made that the usual festival has been cancelled – this includes market stalls, rides and all other attractions. Instead, Edinburgh’s Christmas will be going digital and we suggest you follow this link for latest details. There are still lots of uncertainties and questions marks surrounding other events and we’re trying our best to update this post with the most up-to-date information as possible.

It’s hard to imagine that Christmas Day only became a public holiday in 1958 in Scotland! Indeed, Christmas was banned for almost 400 years but we’ve sure made for it since then!

There are free events including the Night Light switch-on (to be confirmed), nativity Carol Concerts and more. Edinburgh’s Christmas normally kicks off mid-November so there’s plenty of time to get into the spirit of things! Read on for some of our favourite things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas. We also made a video just for you – scroll to the end!

Have a mulled wine!

Update 2020 – sadly, an announcement has been made (as at 1st October 2020) that Edinburgh’s Christmas festival will not be going ahead this year. You can still support local businesses by popping to a local bar or pub for a drink. You may want to check out our post on quirky and unique bars for that festive glass of mulled wine!

There’s an incredible Christmas market in Edinburgh! It’s made up of a Scottish market section as well as a German Christmas market that sprawls across the whole of East Princes Street Gardens. You’ll find all kinds of crafts, gifts, food and drink.  Stop off for a warming mulled wine or a hot chocolate. The markets are open daily from 10am – 10pm but note that they’re closed on Christmas day.

>> Top Tip: If you can, try to visit the Edinburgh Christmas Market on a weekday rather than the week-end as it is getting incredibly popular. Evenings also get very busy so mornings or early afternoons are recommended and why not visit at the start of the festive season (it kicks off mid-November!)<<

Check out the Winter Light Trail Evenings at the Botanics

Update 2020 – some good news for you! According to their website, the Botanics light trail will be going ahead this year!

This.is.amazing! We went on Christmas Eve last year and and what a magical experience it was ! The Edinburgh Botanical Gardens have launched a wonderfully festive event during the Christmas period – the Winter Light Trail. You’ll be mesmerised by the decorations, lights and magical atmosphere. Highlights include the Cathedral of Light, the Scented Fire Garden and visiting Santa and his Elves.

Booking ahead is essential – check out their website for details.

>> Read about our experience visiting the Botanics’ Light Trail! <<

Have a glass of fizz at the Dome

Nothing says Christmas quite like the Dome in Edinburgh! A hot chocolate, a glass of bubbles🥂… the Dome is the place to go to and is most definitely something of an institution in Edinburgh. You will be blown away by the lights and Christmas decorations. It’s our go-to place to mark the beginning of the festive period in Edinburgh. It definitely need to feature on your Edinburgh bucket list!

In light of current regulations, we recommend you check the Dome’s website for booking guidelines and of course, to check their festive menu.

>> Are you looking for quirky and unique bars to visit in Edinburgh? Check out this post!<<

Go to a Panto!

Update 2020 – sadly the Kings Theatre have had to cancel this year’s panto Sleeping Beauty. All is not lost though as it’s been rescheduled for November 2021.

Christmas isn’t complete without a trip to the Panto! The Pantomime is a quintessentially British stage-show that everyone should experience once in their life – whether you have kids or not! There are goodies and there are villains and before you know it, you’ll find yourself booing the baddies and shouting ‘he’s behind you!’. We have been known to go several times before our children were even a twinkle in our eye. It’s great fun – laughter and good times guaranteed. We recommend the acclaimed yearly Panto that takes place at the Kings Theatre.

Catch a festive show

Update 2020 – it looks as though all Christmas pantos and shows have been cancelled. We’ll update this section if we become aware of any shows taking place.

If a panto isn’t your thing, there’s usually lots of other options! You’ll normally find plenty of other shows on offer that often have a festive twist, however, sadly this year, all shows have been cancelled. Thank you covid…

Go ice-skating

Back in 2019, Edinburgh’s iconic elliptical ice rink – located in St Andrews Square – was axed following a ban from the property owners. This year, there are murmurs that the ice-rink may return so let’s keep our fingers crossed! We’ll update this section as soon as we have further information.

[Get your skates on and enjoy a trip down memory lane. There’s a fantastic elliptical ice-rink that’s set up at St Andrews Square. If you’re tired from the exertion of skating, you can finish off the event with a stop off at the Cider Lodge just next to the rink. The price of skate hire is included in the entry fee and you’ll be allocated a specific time slot.]

Go on the rides at the Christmas market

Update 2020 – sadly, an announcement has been made (as at 1st October 2020) that Edinburgh’s Christmas festival will not be going ahead this year – this includes market stalls, rides and all other attractions.

Find your inner child and take a ride on the thrilling star flyer, helter skelter, the chair-o-planes, the big wheel or a carousel. You can buy tickets online or directly that the booths.

Check out the Christmas tree at Jenners

Update 2020 – as far as we are aware, the Christmas tree will be going up in Jenners so there will at least be something for you to tick off your festive bucket list!

Jenners is something of an institution and every year they erect a giant Christmas tree in their store on Princes Street. Every time we visit the store, we wonder how on earth they manage to get it into place… Well apparently, the tree is squeezed through the entrance on St David Street (the door is taken apart) and in true James Bond style, acrobats abseil down from the beams within the shop to hoist it into an upright position. Decorations and lights are then placed on the giant tree. You must pop in to check it out!

Go on the big wheel at the Christmas market

Update 2020 – sadly, an announcement has been made (as at 1st October 2020) that Edinburgh’s Christmas festival will not be going ahead this year – this includes market stalls, rides and all other attractions.

For a fantastic panoramic view of Edinburgh, jump on the large Forth 1 Big Wheel. You’ll get a unique view of the Edinburgh skyline as well as the Christmas festival from one of the 36 enclosed, weather-proof pods. We recommend you buy tickets ahead to avoid having to queue up. The tickets are date-specific but you can choose whichever time-slot you like between the hours of 10am and 10pm. Tickets are priced at £6.50 (concessions), £10 (adults) and £28 (family ticket).

>> Tip for locals: you get 20% discount if you live in an EH postcode (proof of address required) <<

Go to see Santa and his reindeers in Princes Street Gardens

Update 2020 – sadly, an announcement has been made (as at 1st October 2020) that Edinburgh’s Christmas festival will not be going ahead this year – this includes market stalls, rides and all other attractions.

If you’ve got little ones, be sure to visit Santa and his reindeers! Head to Castle Street to meet the man himself in the comfort of his own grotto. He welcomes groups every half hour and the visit lasts 25 minutes.

You may also wish to head to Santa Land which is located in the lower East Princes Street Gardens. Highlights for the little ones will include the Santa Train, the Christmas Tree Maze as well as Reindeer Rides. It’ll be a truly memorable experience for them.

>> Are you visiting Edinburgh with kids? You need to read this guide! <<

Update 2020 – this event isn’t showing on ‘when you wish upon a star’s’ website which leads us to believe that the event is not going to go ahead in 2020.

This is definitely on our bucket list! How fun does this look? Every year at the start of December, hundreds of keen adults, kids and even dogs take part in the Santa Fun Run and Walk in Princes Street Gardens. This 2.5 km run is open to everyone and the money raised from the event helps the charity ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’. This is a charity that works at granting special wishes for children who are living with a life threatening illness. There is an entry fee (£15 for adults, £3-5 for children) and the grown ups are asked to commit to raising a minimum of £15 in sponsorship.

Go Christmas shopping

Update 2020 – sadly, an announcement has been made (as at 1st October 2020) that Edinburgh’s Christmas festival will not be going ahead this year – this includes all the market stalls, however, why not support local businesses and shop local! Check out our guide to Broughton Street for a comprehensive round-up of local shops, boutiques and businesses. Head to George Street or smaller neighbourhoods such as Stockbridge, Marchmont or Leith.

This might seem obvious but why not take the time to get ahead with some of your Christmas shopping. You can head to the main shopping area (Princes Street and George Street) or alternatively find some quirky, unique gifts at the Christmas market.

>> Check out our 35+ fun Christmas gifts from Scotland in this post as well as our quirky ideas for gifts from Edinburgh! <<

Light Night

Update 2020 – there is currently no information regarding the Light Night and whether it’s going to go ahead or not. We’ll update you with further information as soon as it becomes available.

If you’re visiting Edinburgh in November fear not as the Christmas market actually kicks off mid-November so you’ll get a chance to enjoy the start of the festive celebrations before it gets too busy. And if you time your visit, you’ll get to enjoy ‘Light Night’ – the night when they switch on the Christmas lights. Can it get any more magical? The event includes the light switch-on (obviously), choirs singing and spectacular fireworks. It gets busy so leave plenty of time to get there and travel by public transport.

Edinburgh at Christmas Video

In case you needed any more convincing, check out our video on Edinburgh at Christmas time for plenty of festive inspiration.

Final Word

We hope you’ve enjoyed our round-up of 14 best things to do to celebrate Christmas in Edinburgh. We’re very excited about spending Christmas in the capital this year and have many of the above activities planned for the festive season.

> Final Tip: Check out the official Edinburgh’s Christmas website for up-to-date information on what’s on, free events and more. <<