Edinburgh Christmas Market

Edinburgh Christmas Market is an annual Christmas market in Scotland's capital, Edinburgh. It covers several locations in the city: East and West Princes Street Gardens, George Street, and St Andrew Square. In this article, we will tell you in detail about the dates, available entertainment, ticket prices, and history.

History of the Edinburgh Christmas Market

Edinburgh Christmas Market first opened in 1999, when it was called the German Market. It sold sausages, waffles and handicrafts. Gradually, the market grew in size, and in 2013 it came under the management of the German Market. Since 2017, the market has been an integral part of the Hogmanay celebrations. It is currently managed by Unique Assembly, a company formed in 2022 during the merger of Assembly Festival and Unique Events. It has been awarded the contract to organise the Edinburgh Christmas Market for the next five years, starting in 2024.

Unique Assembly has a partnership with NWH Group, which provides waste management services at the Christmas Market.

Entertainment

Edinburgh at Christmas offers visitors a wide range of entertainment. Throughout the market's opening hours, traditional wooden stalls selling handicrafts and festive decorations will be open.

Live music will be played at the market, and children will have the opportunity to ride on carousels and other attractions.

Visitors can enjoy a wide selection of festive food and drinks: mulled wine, roasted chestnuts, Scottish delicacies (haggis). Seasonal treats are in high demand.

Everything around looks festive, and bright light shows add extra colour. It is a great place to take vivid photos.

Winter Wonderland Edinburgh attracts numerous visitors, many of whom enjoy themselves at the outdoor ice rink. Both beginners and experienced skaters can enjoy the rink. You can bring your own equipment or rent it.

The ice rink on George Street, the Polar Ice Bar, a vintage carousel and a Ferris wheel are located next to the Family Fun Zone.

The most popular attractions in the East Gardens of Princes Street are:

LNER Big Wheel — a 46-metre-high Ferris wheel with covered capsules, open every day from 10:00 to 22:00, except 25 December.

Around the World Star Flyer — the world's tallest mobile tower, 80 metres high, open daily from 10:00 to 22:00, except 25 December.

George Street Ice Rink — open from 20 November to 4 January, with different sessions, including ‘Relaxed’ and ‘Toddler’.

Polar Ice Bar — a bar with furniture and tableware made of ice, open from 20 November to 4 January.

St. Andrew's Square will feature a Santa Claus show, a Christmas maze and a winter garden.

Those who wish can wander through the Christmas tree maze in search of Santa's little helpers.

While London's Southbank Winter Market is known for its views of the Thames, Edinburgh's fair enchants visitors with views of the old town and castle, creating a true Scottish fairy tale.

Edinburgh Christmas Market locations

Main locations of the Edinburgh Christmas Market in 2025:

1. East Princes Street Gardens.
2. West Princes Street Gardens.
3. George Street.
4. St Andrew Square.

Map

The Christmas markets UK map shows the main areas where you will find:

1. Stalls offering gifts, crafts and seasonal treats.
2. Attractions, including the LNER Big Wheel and the Around the World Starflyer carousel, located in the East Gardens of Princes Street.
3. The George Street ice rink, not far from the market.
4. The family area in the West Gardens of Princes Street, where activities for children and families take place.

How to get to Edinburgh Christmas Market

There are several ways to get to Edinburgh Christmas Market.

By bus

Lothian Buses operates over 70 routes in Edinburgh. Edinburgh Bus Station is a 6-minute walk from the West Gardens of Princes Street.

Trams also run in the same direction, with stops at St Andrew Square, Princes Street and West End.

By train

Edinburgh Waverley Station is a 2-minute walk from the East Gardens of Princes Street.

By car

The entrance to Princes Street is on the north side. It is recommended to use GPS or a sat nav, as the streets in the centre are narrow and traffic is heavy.

Driving directions:

From the M8/M9 motorway (approaching from Glasgow or Stirling):

Exit onto the A720 Edinburgh City Bypass, then take the A7/A8 to Edinburgh city centre.

Follow the signs for Princes Street / City Centre.

Visitor information

The market is especially beautiful in the evenings when the lights come on and festive music plays. If you want to avoid the crowds, we recommend visiting on weekday mornings or in January after New Year's.

Hotels nearby

There are several good hotels a short distance from Edinburgh Christmas Market:

1. Hotel Indigo. Located on Princes Street, 0.2 km from the Christmas market.
2. Old Waverley Hotel. Located 0.2 km from the Christmas market, a 1-minute walk from Waverly Station. Many rooms offer views of Edinburgh Castle.
3. Destiny Scotland Hanover Apartments. Located 0.1 km from the Christmas market and 200 metres from the city centre. Rooms feature free Wi-Fi and a kitchen with a dishwasher, oven and microwave.
4. The Balmoral Hotel. Located 400 metres from the Christmas market on Princes Street. The hotel has a restaurant, swimming pool and gym.
5. The Rutland Hotel & Apartments. Located 800 metres from the Christmas market, on the western side of Princes Street. The rooms offer views of Edinburgh Castle.

Food at the Edinburgh Christmas Market

The Edinburgh Christmas Market offers traditional Scottish and international cuisine. Among the most popular are:

1. Haggis. A traditional dish made from sheep offal with onions, oatmeal, lard and spices.
2. Sausages (brauwurst, currywurst).
3. French pancakes with Nutella, fresh fruit or sugar.
4. Dutch mini pancakes sprinkled with powdered sugar and served with whipped cream.
5. Hot drinks: mulled wine, hot chocolate, spiced cider.

Food prices are generally affordable: brownies are about £3, pasta with salmon is £15. Hot dishes cost £8–12 on average.

Dates and opening hours

The Edinburgh Christmas Market will be open from 15 November 2025 to 4 January 2026, every day from 10:00 to 22:00, except:

24 December — from 10:00 to 18:00.

25 December – closed.

26 December – 12:00 to 20:00.

31 December – 10:00 to 18:00 and 20:00 to 00:30.

1 January – 12:00 to 20:00.

4 January – from 10:00 to 20:00.

Tickets

Admission to the Edinburgh Christmas Market is free, but there is a charge for using the attractions, visiting the ice rink and a number of other activities.

Tickets for the George Street Ice Rink cost £15 for adults and £11 for children. Sessions last 40 minutes.

A visit to the Polar Ice Bar costs £15. The price includes the first drink. There is an age restriction of 18+ for visiting this attraction.

The family ice experience costs £12.50. It is available to all ages and includes hot chocolate or apple juice.

You can listen to Santas' Tales, which lasts 20 minutes, for £6.

The cost of carousels and attractions varies from £4 to £12.50.

Edinburgh residents are eligible for a 20% discount on tickets upon presentation of proof of address (e.g. driving licence or utility bill).

Parking

There are several car parks within walking distance of the Edinburgh Christmas Market:

Castle Terrace Car Park — close to the East Gardens of Princes Street.

Q-Park OMNI — adjacent to the West Gardens of Princes Street.

NCP Edinburgh Car Park — close to George Street.

These car parks may be full on public holidays, so it is advisable to arrive early.

Reviews

Holly:

We visited the Edinburgh Christmas Market for the first time and our whole family was overwhelmed with impressions. Both we and the children were very pleased. The whole family rode the Ferris wheel, tasted sausages, and had French pancakes with hot chocolate for dessert.

Drew:

My wife and I have been coming to the Edinburgh Christmas Market for several years in a row. It's an amazing place where you can fully immerse yourself in the festive atmosphere. There are over 70 stalls at the market where you can buy everything your heart desires, from clothing and jewellery to handmade gifts and homewares.

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