Christmas
Edinburgh's Christmas Market: Dates and Planning Tips
Photo: Geri Michalari / Google
Edinburgh's market sits in Princes Street Gardens under the castle and runs right through to Hogmanay. Dates for 2026, the days with odd hours, and how to combine it with New Year.
Edinburgh's Christmas market has the most dramatic backdrop of any in Britain: chalets and a big wheel in Princes Street Gardens, with the castle on its rock directly above. It also runs longer than most, straight through to the start of January, which makes it the natural choice if you want to combine a Christmas market with Hogmanay.
At a glance
When: 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closed Christmas Day. Where: East Princes Street Gardens, beside Waverley station. Cost: free entry, rides extra. Best for: combining a market with Hogmanay.
When it runs in 2026
The market opens on Saturday 14 November 2026 and runs to Sunday 3 January 2027, normally from 10am to 10pm. Entry is free; rides and attractions are paid separately.
The days with different hours
It is closed on Christmas Day, and opening hours are shorter on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Hogmanay and New Year's Day. On 31 December it closes in the late afternoon, ahead of the night's events. Check the published times if your visit falls over the holiday.
Where it is
The market sits in East Princes Street Gardens, between Princes Street and the Old Town, right beside Waverley station. The rides include a big wheel and a tall swing ride with views over the city and the castle.
Combining it with the city
Old Town and New Town
The Royal Mile and the closes off it are a short climb from the market; the Georgian New Town lies the other side of Princes Street. Both are at their most atmospheric on a frosty December evening.
Free museums for a cold day
The National Museum of Scotland and the Scottish National Gallery are both free, both close to the market, and both large enough to fill a wet afternoon.
Arthur's Seat
For daylight and a view, the climb up Arthur's Seat from Holyrood takes under an hour. Short winter days mean starting before noon.
Christmas, then Hogmanay
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is one of the best-known New Year celebrations in the world, and its main events are ticketed and sell out. They are also outdoors in a Scottish winter: the 2024 celebrations were cancelled on the day because of high winds. If you want both the market and New Year, book accommodation early — rooms around 30 and 31 December are among the most expensive of the year. Our New Year staycations guide covers Hogmanay in more detail.
More of Christmas in Edinburgh
Christmas at the Botanics
The Royal Botanic Garden's illuminated trail runs from 19 November to 30 December 2026, its tenth year. See our guide to Christmas light trails.
Getting there
Waverley is the end of the East Coast Main Line from London, around four and a half hours by the fastest trains, and the market is at the top of the station steps. Our listings cover more things to do in Edinburgh and places to eat.
For where to stay, see our Edinburgh staycation guide or browse hotels in Edinburgh.
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