Here for Edinburgh’s Christmas markets? Here for Edinburgh’s Christmas? What a great choice! It’s unfair to say ‘Edinburgh comes to life at Christmas’ because Edinburgh is a busy and vibrant city throughout the year. Still, if you ask Edinburgh Reviews, we’ll say that the Scottish capital feels different at Christmas!
Days until the Edinburgh Christmas markets open
Edinburgh Christmas 2024
Yep, Edinburgh Christmas markets start early and can get very busy! On this page, you can find reviews we’ve tagged ‘Christmas’ and some general Christmas tips for visiting the city.
The latest Edinburgh Christmas reviews
We review the Edinburgh People’s Theatre 2025 pantomime. Find out why Sinbad the Sailor is a comfortable and fun family night out in Morningside.
Continue Reading Review: Sinbad the Sailor, Church Hill Theatre
Is The Dome’s Christmas dinner worth the hype? Girdy & Birdy braved the crowds to find out. With a tree boasting a million lights and a turkey roulade that actually fills you up, it’s a visual stunner.
New data reveals Edinburgh has the UK’s worst gender gap for Christmas cleaning, with women doing 79% of the work. Read the full report on festive waste habits here.
Continue Reading Edinburgh named UK’s worst city for Christmas clean-up gender gap
Join author Marc Burrows at Blackwell’s Edinburgh on 26 Nov 2025 for his new book, The Story of the Christmas No. 1. Get event details and ticket info.
Continue Reading Radar: Marc Burrows to Unravel the Christmas No. 1 Mystery at Blackwell’s
Guy Masterson’s solo performance of “A Christmas Carol” at the Assembly Roxy is a powerful rendition of the classic, perfect for getting into the festive spirit, but may not hold the attention of young teens and comes with pricey bar costs.
I’ve mixed feelings about the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (aka The Botanics) Christmas lights.
Continue Reading Review: Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Christmas lights 2024
| Details for Edinburgh Christmas 2023 confirmed including dates, market, rides and stalls | (Edinburgh Live) Edinburgh's Christmas celebrations are set to return this November including free-to-enter markets and other attractions which are now available to book - here is what you need to know. | 2023/10/08 |
| Pop-up cafe coming to Edinburgh this Christmas with hundreds of sausage dogs | (Edinburgh Live) The Dashing Dachshund Christmas Tour is coming to the capital in November with hundreds of sausage dogs set to attend. | 2023/10/04 |
| Event organiser quits Edinburgh Christmas festival | (BBC) Angels Event Experience Limited told City of Edinburgh Council it would not be able to fulfil the contract it was awarded in June. | 2022/09/29 |
| Underbelly set to lose Edinburgh's Hogmanay and Christmas contracts | (Scotsman) The founders of Edinburgh's official Hogmanay celebrations are set to win back the right to run the event from rival firm Underbelly. | 2022/06/11 |
| All the Edinburgh markets in the city this Christmas and where to find them | (Edinburgh Live) With Christmas round the corner we have rounded up the markets in Edinburgh where you can find unique gifts and local food and drink to really stand out this year. | 2021/11/18 |
Planning an Edinburgh Christmas market visit
One big question to settle first is whether you want to say for Hogmanay / Edinburgh’s New Year, too!
Edinburgh Reviews recommends having a busy schedule with other attractions planned, not just the markets, to make the most of your trip.
- Getting to Edinburgh: During Christmas, especially in the late November (yes, it starts that early) phase, you can walk, taxi or bus, but be mindful of the changeable weather! If you prefer to drive, there are local Avis, Budget, Enterprize, Europcar, National and Sixt options.
- Places to stay: Edinburgh locals have mixed views on AirBnB, but there are many options for now. The university city also has many Halls of Residence which can act as hotels and no shortage of traditional Bed and Breakfast delights. If you prefer a more traditional approach, there’s Hostel World, Hilton, Apex, Hotel du Vin, Britannia, and the Malmaison.
- Guides and events: Arranging these on the fly is straightforward, but you might want to check out Get Your Guide or City Sightseeing in advance of your Christmas visit.
- One-stop shots: Lastly, there are always the big players such as TripAdvisor, Booking.com, or Last Minute for research and assistance.