Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025

Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025 dates & opening times

*Times may shift once the full programme launches; subscribe to Edinburgh’s Christmas updates for final info.

What to see: Big Wheel, ice rink & must-visit stalls

East Princes Street Gardens — The Classic Market

Over 70 alpine-style stalls sell Scottish cashmere, handmade tree ornaments and global street food. Expect roaming carol choirs and an intoxicating cinnamon scent in the air.

LNER Big Wheel & StarFlyer

Scotland’s tallest Ferris wheel (46 m) offers postcard views of the Castle and Arthur’s Seat; locals with an EH postcode get 20 % off, prices start from £12.00 a ticket. Family tickets are available and are valid for four people with a maximum of 2 adults.  Each pod can fit up to 6 people. at peak times you may be required to share with others, pods are not exclusive.  The Big Wheel pods can accommodate manual wheelchair users.

Thrill-seekers can soar even higher on the 80m StarFlyer.  Hold on tight and enjoy the views as you fly high above the rooftops!

Restrictions:

• Riders must be a minimum 1.2m in height
• Riders under 1.4m must be accompanied by a responsible paying adult
• No babes in arms

Rules:

• No leaning over the safety bar at any time
• No swinging on the chairs
• Remove all loose footwear
• No sharp objects, food, drink or bags on the ride
• Small children can only ride when accompanied by a responsible paying adult
• Each seat must be occupied by one individual, no doubling up.
• 2 persons in 1 car
• Please secure all valuables as management will not be responsible for any loss or damage

George Street Ice Rink

A 120-metre, fully-covered rink lets you glide beneath Georgian façades whatever the weather. Sessions sell out fast—book online.  Prices start from £15.00 a ticket and your session will las for 40 minutes.

• Children 12 and under must be accompanied by a responsible adult (18+), no babes in arms. Any children attending a Standard session must fit a minimum child size 8 shoe - we will have designated sessions for the wee ones
• Anyone under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult after 8pm
• Please arrive 20 minutes before your time slot to get your skates on before your session starts!
• For safety reasons, you are not allowed to take photographs whilst on the ice. However, spectators can take photos from the viewing platforms around the rink
• For safety reasons, bags are not permitted on the ice and must be checked into our cloakroom for a fee of £2. This must be paid by card only
• The minimum skate size boot on the rink is a children’s size 8, and the maximum is an adult size 15
• Skate hire is included in your ticket price, but you’re also welcome to bring your own skates, subject to suitability checks (Please note: speed skates are not allowed.)
• Skate aid Penguins are available for younger children at an additional cost of £5. These can be purchased at the Ice rink only and cannot be pre-booked. Skate Aids are only available to children under 1.2m tall without skates or under 1.3m tall wearing skates and are subject to availability. Staff reserve the right to ask children to measure their height against the provided chart at point of sale.
• Wheelchair users are welcome on the rink in any session. Please note, motorised wheelchairs must be in manual mode whilst on the ice. For further information, please contact access@unique-assembly.co.uk

St Andrew Square Family Zone

Meet Santa at “Santa’s Stories”, conquer the illuminated Christmas Tree Maze, then warm up with artisan hot chocolate in the Warming Zone.  The magic of Christmas is brought to life, as Santa and his helpers make Edinburgh their home for the season! The halls of his cabin are decked, the hot chocolate simmering away and blankets toasted to keep your tootsies warm as we settle in for a festive tale and to meet the big man himself. All performances last approximately 20 minutes. Tickets start from £6.00.

• Santa’s Stories is located in West Princes Street Gardens
• Please note that your ticket is valid for your booked time ONLY. These are slotted sessions and cannot be transferred to another time.
• Please make your way to the venue and show your ticket to the Front of House staff
• Please try to arrive 10 minutes before your allotted time
• Children must be accompanied by one adult as included with your ticket. Any additional adults should be booked in in advance.
• There is no room in the venue for prams or buggies. There will be a buggy park but cannot guarantee cover. Please prepare accordingly and these are left at your own risk.
• Children must remain under the care and supervision of their adult at all times.

Polar Ice Bar

Take some time to ‘chill’ in the Polar Ice Bar, the coolest bar in the city, where your table, chairs and glasses are sculpted entirely from ice. This unique pop-up bar experience has to be kept at a chilly -8°C, but they will make sure you’ll be cosy the whole time with jackets and gloves provided to you on arrival.

Inside the Ice Bar, you’ll enjoy delicious festive alcoholic or non-alcoholic cocktails, served in an individual pre-carved ice glass, with your first drink included in your entry ticket.  Prices start from £15.00 a ticket and you can stay in the Ice Bar for up to 30 minutes.

As the Polar Ice Bar is a bar, children are not permitted to enter. Entry to the bar is strictly 18+.

Live Entertainment

The Ross Bandstand hosts choirs, ceilidhs and movie sing-alongs, all free-to-enjoy.

Food & drink guide: mulled wine, street food & cosy bars

• German Bratwurst & Schnitzel — cooked over open-flame grills

• Haggis Bon-Bons & Cranachan Crêpes — Scottish twists on festive comfort food

• Polar Ice Bar on George Street for chilli-spiked hot chocolate

• Viral £3 brownie stall keeps queues buzzing without busting budgets

Tip: bring a reusable cup; many vendors knock 50p off every refill.

How to get there: Waverley Station, bus, tram & airport

Tickets & prices: rides, ice rink & deals

Hogmanay 2025/26: market crossover, street party & fireworks

Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025 stays open right through New Year’s Eve, so you can glide round the ice rink by day and join the world-famous Hogmanay Street Party on 31 December 2025 by night. The two flagship events sit minutes apart: weave up the Mound from the Princes Street Gardens stalls and you’ll spill straight onto the cordoned-off party arena stretching from the Castle Esplanade down to Princes Street.

Key Hogmanay dates that overlap the market:

• 29 Dec 2025 – Torchlight Procession: flaming torches snake down the Royal Mile to Holyrood Park, kicking off four nights of celebrations. Book early-bird tickets online.

• 30 Dec 2025 – Night Afore Hoolie: live folk and ceilidh bands on a covered George Street stage—free to watch if you’re already browsing the market stalls nearby.

• 31 Dec 2025 – Hogmanay Street Party & Concert in the Gardens: 45,000 revellers, DJs, funfair rides and midnight fireworks synced to music above the Castle. Buy a street-party wristband (£30 ±) and keep it handy for re-entry after souvenir shopping.

• 1 Jan 2026 – Loony Dook: brave souls plunge into the Firth of Forth at South Queensferry; spectate or sign up as a post-market detox with fancy-dress fun.

Planning tips

• Reserve accommodation at least six months out—many hotels mandate three-night minimums over 30 Dec–1 Jan.

• The market areas close at about 6 pm on 31 Dec to allow for Hogmanay fencing; re-open c. 11 am on 1 Jan.

• Trams run all night on 31 Dec, but Princes Street buses divert—check Lothian’s festive timetable.

Blend the sparkle of Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025 with Hogmanay’s midnight fireworks and you’ll tick off two bucket-list experiences in one winter trip.

Accessibility & sustainability information

• Most pathways are firm, but steep gradients in the Gardens mean manual wheelchair users may need assistance; access rated 3.5/5 by Euan’s Guide.

• All sites are cash-free to speed queues and reduce handling.

• Free community tickets and charity outreach programmes keep the event inclusive.

• Public-transport-first messaging and reusable cup initiatives shrink the carbon footprint.

Where to stay near the market

Luxury

Mid-Range

Budget

Book early — city-centre rooms for late-November weekends often sell out by September.

Money-saving tips & crowd-avoidance hacks

1. Visit Mon–Thu mornings for quieter stalls and cheaper off-peak skating.

2. Show an EH postcode (driver’s licence or bill) at selected rides for 20 % off.

3. Grab meal deals in the Warming Zones before 5 pm.

4. Consider a Lothian DAYticket (£5 adult) to hop on unlimited buses & trams.

Final tips & trip-planning checklist

Whether you’re chasing that perfect Christmas card photo from the top of the LNER Big Wheel or hunting handcrafted gifts in the Gardens, Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025 promises another season of storybook magic. Secure your hotel on Booking.com now, sketch your itinerary with the tips above, and let Scotland’s capital sprinkle some festive stardust on your winter getaway.

Q: What are the dates for the Edinburgh Christmas Market 2025?
A: The Market runs from November 15th 2025 until the 4th of January 2026.

Q: Where is the Edinburgh Christmas Market held?
A: The main market is located in East Princes Street Gardens, with additional festive activities and stalls around West Princes Street Gardens, George Street, and St Andrew Square.

Q: Is there an entry fee?
A: Entry to the market is free. However, certain attractions and rides, such as the LNER Big Wheel and ice skating rink, require tickets.

Q: Can I buy tickets in advance?
A: Yes, it’s recommended to purchase tickets for popular attractions in advance to avoid long queues. Tickets can be bought online through the official website.

Q: What attractions are available at the market?
A: The market features a variety of attractions, including the LNER Big Wheel, ice skating rink, festive food and drink stalls, and live entertainment.

Q: Are there any special events during the festival?
A: Yes, the Torchlight Procession, a beloved tradition, returns for 2025, kickstarting the city’s renowned Hogmanay celebrations on 29 December.

Q: Is the market accessible for people with disabilities?
A: Yes, the market is accessible, with facilities for wheelchair users and accessible toilets available at all sites.

Q: Can I bring my dog to the market?
A: Dogs are generally welcome but must be kept on a lead at all times. However, dogs are not permitted in certain areas, such as St Andrew Square or on specific rides and attractions.

Q: What should I wear when visiting the market?
A: As the market is outdoors in the Scottish winter elements, it’s advisable to dress warmly and wear waterproof clothing.

Q: Are there any local resident discounts available?
A: Yes, Edinburgh residents can redeem a discount by showing proof of an EH postcode. The discount is available online and in person at the box office.