Edinburgh Christmas Markets 2024: 5 Best Markets To Visit
Planning to visit the Edinburgh Christmas Markets this year? Scotland’s capital is transformed into a winter wonderland each December, with twinkly lights and festive markets scattered across the city centre. These are the best Edinburgh Christmas Markets for this year - and how to visit them.
Of the many Scotland Christmas Markets, the Edinburgh Christmas Markets are a sight to behold.
Not content with just one market, the Christmas Markets in Edinburgh pop up at various spots across the city centre. Dotted across cobbled streets and iconic gardens, they fill the capital with magical lights, incredible food, traditional stalls, and bucketloads of festive cheer.
As Edinburgh residents, we’re lucky to spend the festive period exploring the city, which packs in everything I love about this time of year: mulled wine, tasty food, shimmering decorations, music, traditional crafts, modern ice bars, and fair rides.
We love to embrace the festive season every year, and alongside Copenhagen’s charming markets, Edinburgh is undoubtedly one of the absolute best places in Europe to visit for Christmas.
So, if you’re planning a trip to the Edinburgh Christmas Markets but you’re not sure where to start, this article will share where to find the prettiest festive spots and the best markets for ultimate Christmas magic. Plus, we'll tell you where to stay and eat, that’s within easy walking distance of each market.
Ready to visit Edinburgh’s most festive Christmas Markets? Let’s go!
How to Plan an
Edinburgh Christmas Market trip
First up, some practical tips and advice for visiting the Edinburgh Christmas Markets this year:
How many Edinburgh Christmas are there?
There are five Christmas markets across Edinburgh (with smaller pop-ups happening around the city). You’ll find a comprehensive list of main markets below, alongside details of what to expect in each, opening times, where to eat, and how to visit. However, if you’re short on time, Edinburgh’s best Christmas Markets are:
East Princes Street Gardens
West Princes Street Gardens
George Street
Castle Street
St Andrews Square
When do the Edinburgh Christmas Markets open?
The date for this year’s Edinburgh Christmas Markets is 15th November until the 4th January. Most Christmas Markets on our list are open daily during those weeks (with some exceptions such as the 25th December when the markets are closed). The opening times for Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets are generally 10am until 10pm daily but you’ll find more information in our comprehensive list below.
If you’re looking to avoid the crowds, visit early in the day and avoid the weekends. Also, there are fewer people in November and early December. The closer to Christmas, the busier the markets get.
How long do the edinburgh Christmas Markets last?
The Edinburgh Christmas Markets officially last until the start of January, with the main market finishing on the 4th January and the smaller markets finishing around 23rd December. This gives you plenty of time to enjoy the festive season.
You’ll find specific opening times for each market listed below.
Do I need tickets for the Edinburgh Christmas Markets?
Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets are free to enter, which is part of what makes them so special. A few festive activities, like the Big Wheel, ice rink, and Christmas Tree Maze, require tickets, most payable on the day while others are best booked in advance (we’ll go into more details below). But the markets are completely free.
How many days do I need to see everything?
To explore the main Christmas Markets, plus experience Edinburgh’s best spots, I’d say three to four days is perfect. This allows you time to visit the markets, try some of the city’s best eateries, see the main attractions, and enjoy the city's exceptional cafes & coffee shops.
And, with a vibrant festive spirit and lights throughout the historic city, you’ll want time to explore the elaborately decorated doorfronts and pretty streets.
However, if you’re visiting from other parts of Scotland and/or only want to see the Christmas Markets, then one day is plenty.
Are the Edinburgh Markets crowded?
We’ve covered this already, but it's worth noting again. Yes, there are potential crowds in the markets, but how crowded they are depends on the time of day. In the afternoon and early evening, I was pleasantly surprised by how much space there is to get around each of the Edinburgh markets.
That said, they are busier at weekends, and I’d recommend visiting in the morning or during the week if you want to experience the markets with the fewest people.
Are the Edinburgh Christmas Markets worth it?
Absolutely, yes. Alongside markets in Copenhagen and Strasbourg, the Edinburgh Christmas Markets are known as some of the best in Europe and very much worth visiting.
In part, I think, because they are so heavily influenced by the incredible Edinburgh food scene and feeling of festive cheer that envelops the city. Surrounded by glistening fairy lights, with incredible mulled wine, and amazing food, winter city breaks don’t come any better than Edinburgh.
This is cosy season at its absolute best, and I would highly recommend visiting Edinburgh in winter.
Top Picks: Edinburgh Christmas Markets Hotel
If you want to experience the city at its most festive, stay close to the markets. The below hotels and apartments are beautifully decorated, offer the sparkliest decor, and are within easy walking distance of the Edinburgh Markets:
The Edinburgh Grand | Best for luxury, city centre locale, and festive vibes.
RÌGH Residences | Best for modern, spacious self-catering apartments in the city centre.
Kimpton Hotel | Best for stunning rooms, lux decor, and location.
The Scotsman Hotel | Best for views, lux rooms, and easy access to new and old town.
Travel tip: while you won’t need a car in Edinburgh if you’re on a bigger Scotland trip, the best way to explore is by car. Driving in Scotland is easy — we use Discover Cars for our rental cars, choose full coverage insurance, and opt for trusted companies like Hertz or Sixt. Book your car with Discover Cars here.
The 5 Best Edinburgh Christmas Markets
We’ve mentioned it briefly above, but you might not know that Edinburgh has more than one Christmas Market. Located across the city centre, all are accessible on foot and are within easy walking distance of one another, so it’s easy to see them on a day trip.
Though each market is slightly different, each offers traditional stalls selling cups of piping hot mulled wine, tasty food, and seasonal crafts. Some are larger than others, with rides and attractions. While others are smaller and a little more quaint.
To help you plan your trip and find each of the markets, we’ve compiled a list of the markets you don’t want to miss below.
1. East Princes Street Gardens
Best for: Main Christmas Market, rides, and food.
The largest and busiest of Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets, this market takes over the majority of East Princes Street Gardens — and is open longer than any of the other markets on our list.
With heaps of traditional wooden stalls to wander between, you’ll be spoilt for choice when picking up seasonal goodies and souvenirs, woollen hats and gloves, and trinkets from a host of independent Edinburgh stores and makers.
Plus, this market has a big foodie focus, with multiple places to eat, including roast dinner wraps, macaroni cheese from Mac Love, pies from Jarvis Pickle, and the classics like smoked salmon, crisps potato skewers, burgers, and everything in between. There are sweet treats on offer too, like pancakes, crepes, mini pancakes, donuts, and hot chocolates.
My favourites are the waffles from Wholly Waffles, who serve up Dutch Stroopwafels packed with caramel yumminess.
When it comes to drinks, various bars are serving mulled wine, cocktails, and beers. And a few places to stand and shelter to get out of the busy walkway. In my opinion, the spicy, sweet, aromatic mulled gin from Great Glen was the best drink we sampled on our visit.
You’ll also find rides like the Starflyer and the Big Wheel, which dominate the Edinburgh skyline during November and December, an illumination trail, and the famous helter-skelter beneath the Scott Monument.
Readers, a top tip - be prepared to spend money in this market! Although entry is free, the rides and foodie treats are tempting and expensive, and the costs can quickly add up. Additionally, if you like rides, we recommend buying tickets for the Big Wheel (£11pp) and Starflyer (£12.50pp) in advance to avoid the inevitable queues.
Finally, the entrance to the Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market is via the Market Street Gate only, with exits onto Princes Street.
Open daily from 15th November until 4th January, 10am until 10pm, although there are some exceptions here.
2. West Princes Street Gardens
Best for: funfair rides and family fun.
If you’re looking for a family-friendly day out with guaranteed fun, fairground rides, and a lively atmosphere, this Edinburgh Christmas Market is for you.
Also located in Princes Street Gardens, but on the west side, this market focuses on attractions for little ones and younger people. Glowing brightly, a funhouse, traditional carousel, and dozens of rides such as the dodgers, cups and saucers, helter-skelter, and waltzers provide endless entertainment, while illuminations and lights provide festive cheer.
Parents, be prepared to spend here, as small rides cost £3.50 per person, and larger rides cost £ 7.50 per person.
The options for food and drinks are limited, but a handful of traditional market stalls serve takeaway bites and drinks.
Open from 16th November until 4th January, you can find the opening times here.
3. Castle Street
Best for: festive vibes in a quieter setting with epic views.
This is possibly one of my favourite Edinburgh Christmas Markets. Right in the centre of town, it’s a quaint and far smaller version of the bigger markets in the gardens.
It’s also easily one of the prettiest spots on our list and a real “ooh” moment when you see it for the first time, thanks in part to the view of Edinburgh Castle at the end of the street.
With no rides, the focus here is the dozen or so traditional stalls offering delicious food and drinks, as well as high-quality gifts and souvenirs from local makers.
Open from 25th November until 22nd December. Opening times are 10am until 6pm.
4. George Street
Best for: ice skating rink and the polar bar.
A new addition to the Edinburgh Christmas Market scene, George Street hosts the ice-skating rink, polar ice bar, and Highland Lodge-inspired Coorie Inn.
Located in the city centre, it's well worth visiting.
We didn’t attempt the ice skating rink but were impressed with its size. Tickets cost from £12, and skate hire is included in the price. We highly recommend you buy your tickets here to ensure a spot on the ice.
There’s also the ice bar, an incredibly unique, if cold, place to enjoy a drink. Complete with ice sculptures, ice glasses, and winter forests, the temperature in the ice bar is set at a constant -8°C, so be sure to wrap up warm! And buy your ticket in advance to skip the queue.
However, the Coorie Inn has quickly become one of our favourite spots in the Edinburgh festive scene. It offers lovely activities such as wreath making, live music, pub quizzes, high-quality festive drinks (the mulled wine here is excellent), and good food options. Inside, the setting is full-on cosiness with Highland-inspired decor, tartan throws, plush seating, and much-needed heaters.
Entry is free, and you can find the opening times here.
5. St Andrews Square
Best for: Christmas Tree Maze, Santa Claus, & illuminations.
This Edinburgh Christmas Market is located in St Andrews Square, close to the opening of the East Princes Street Gardens market.
This is where you’ll find Edinburgh’s very twinkly Christmas Tree Maze, one of the largest in Europe, plus a pretty fairy light walkway, the opportunity to visit Santa Claus, a handful of traditional stalls serving drinks and snacks, a marshmallow warming pit, and hundreds of twinkling fairy lights.
One of Edinburgh’s smallest Christmas Markets, this is a family-friendly spot with benches to rest on, and a very cute Paddington Bear statue. Plus, its a little calmer than the other markets.
Open from 23rd November until 24th December. Opening times are Monday through Thursday from 11am to 7pm and Friday through Sunday from 10 am to 8pm.
Finally, book your Santa experience in advance (from £5) to guarantee the chance to meet the big guy in person.
Other festive spots around Edinburgh
Away from the markets, Edinburgh’s hotels, shops, and famous streets embrace the festive spirit with glittering displays and spectacular lights. Our favourites are:
The Dome — Iconic for a reason and a must-visit from November onwards. Outside, you can admire The Dome’s garlands, lights, and OTT display from the street. Or book a table inside for breakfast or dinner and experience the stunning Christmas Tree, gorgeous decor, and a host of Christmassy sights and smells. Book well in advance!
The Edinburgh Grand — This luxury hotel embraces all things Christmas with a gorgeous display, nutcracker-style soldiers, garlands, a Christmas Tree, and a festive afternoon tea in the Register Club. This is one of my favourite places in the winter months and a peaceful little haven when your feet need to rest.
The Mound — At the top of the Mound, you’ll find Edinburgh’s biggest and most beautiful Christmas Tree, an 18m tall Norwegian Spruce illuminated in hundreds of fairy lights. From here, there are also brilliant views of the Princes Street Garden Markets. It's very much worth a walk and links nicely to Victoria Street.
Victoria Street — Located in the historic Old Town, Victoria Street’s twinkling lights are understated and oh-so-pretty. They are a must at Christmas.
National Portrait Gallery — Entry to this lovely gallery is free, and while we love to visit year-round, it’s especially wonderful during the festive months. A traditional Christmas Tree and pretty garlands adorn the central atrium, and it’s a peaceful spot away from the crowds.
