Edinburgh Christmas Market 2024

Here are the Edinburgh Christmas Markets 2024 opening times and locations.

East Princes Street Gardens

The Heart of Edinburgh’s Christmas Market, East Princes Street Gardens truly embodies the spirit of Christmas during Edinburgh’s festive season. Transformed into a traditional German-style Christmas market, the gardens burst with over 70 stalls selling handcrafted gifts, decorations, and festive treats. Have a ride on the LNER Big Wheel!

St Andrew Square

The Edinburgh Christmas lights are utterly enchanting in St Andrews Square. The gardens transform into a magical winter wonderland, complete with twinkling light installations, Christmas trees, and a mini Ferris wheel.

George Street

George Street becomes an enticing blend of entertainment and shopping at Christmas. By day, marvel at the 200,000 Christmas lights strung overhead as you browse the designer stores and high street chains.

During the festive season, there is an Edinburgh Christmas ice rink. By night, George Street comes alive as people flock to the open-air ice rink in the middle of the road. Check out the bars, restaurants, and cafes nearby, including the Polar Ice Bar where festive beverages are served.

The Royal Mile

Christmas transforms the historic Royal Mile into a hive of activity. As you stroll down the cobbled streets past old tenement buildings, keep an eye out for talented buskers and street performers entertaining the crowds. Pop into the stylish independent shops lining the Mile to pick up unique handmade Scottish gifts and sample festive treats.

The Grass market

Nestled below Edinburgh Castle Christmas lights, the Grassmarket becomes a festive haven during December. Local artisan stalls huddle in the pedestrianised area selling handcrafted gifts, decorations, and treats

The castle of light at Edinburgh Castle

The Edinburgh Castle light display Castle of Light 2024 is a spectacular after-dark illuminated trail at Edinburgh Castle running selected evenings in November, December, and January.

Visitors can experience interactive light displays, projections, music, and more bringing the castle’s history and myths to life. It’s a magical Christmas experience with food, drink, and festive retail opportunities available too. The trail takes around 60 minutes to explore.

Book tickets online. Dates available in November, December, and Jan 2-4. 4.30PM to 9 PM.

The Edinburgh Christmas ferris wheel

The LNER Ferris Wheel is in the East Princes Street Gardens.

Opening Dates, Times, and Prices

Tickets from £11. Hop on the Ferris wheel from Nov 15 to Jan 4. Various times available.

Winter Wonderland

Edinburgh is the place to be for a magical Winter Wonderland Experience all across the city. The Edinburgh Christmas winter garden at St Andrews Square has a Christmas Tree Maze, which is lots of fun! And it raises money for good causes.

And more…

The Torchlight Procession kicks off Hogmanay on December 29. The Family funfair on West Princes Gardens is great for anyone keen to try some fairground rides – just avoid anything too lively after you’ve enjoyed a few too many drinks.

Christmas is the best time of the year to be in Edinburgh. You’ll have so much fun at Edinburgh Christmas Market, ice skating, enjoying the lights, festive events Edinburgh, and betting your buzz on for Hogmanay.