Edinburgh Christmas Market - Princes Street Gardens
2026 dates confirmed
Scotland, United Kingdom
Edinburgh Christmas Markets 2026
Last updated · How we compile this guide
When are the Edinburgh Christmas markets in 2026?
Edinburgh has 3 Christmas markets in our directory. Confirmed 2026 dates: Edinburgh Christmas Market - Princes Street Gardens, 14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027. All are free to enter.
Edinburgh's Christmas market fills East Princes Street Gardens beneath the castle, with a big wheel, fairground rides and stalls selling Scottish crafts, food and hot drinks. It's part of Edinburgh's Christmas festival, which runs from mid-November into early January and leads straight into Hogmanay, Scotland's New Year celebration.
It's one of the busiest markets in the UK, so go on a weekday or early in the season. George Street usually has an ice rink.
3Christmas markets
1Ice rinks
All Christmas markets in Edinburgh
Dates for these markets were not published last season — check each official website for the latest.
Edinburgh Christmas Market - Castle Street
Edinburgh Christmas Market - Saint Andrew Square
Ice skating in Edinburgh
George Street Ice Skating Rink
Plan your visit to Edinburgh
Getting there
Edinburgh Waverley station sits right next to East Princes Street Gardens, so you step off the train into the market. Direct trains from London King's Cross take about 4 to 4½ hours, and Glasgow is under an hour away.
When to go
Edinburgh's Christmas is one of the busiest events in the UK. Weekday mornings and early afternoons are the quietest; book rides and ice skating ahead for evenings and weekends. Daylight is short — the sun sets around 3.40 pm in December — so the lights come on early.
Make a day of it
Walk up the Royal Mile to Edinburgh Castle, climb Calton Hill for the view over the lit-up city, and stay for Hogmanay on 31 December — the street party needs a ticket.
Frequently asked questions
How many Christmas markets are there in Edinburgh?
We list 3 Christmas markets in Edinburgh, including Edinburgh Christmas Market - Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh Christmas Market - Castle Street and Edinburgh Christmas Market - Saint Andrew Square. Some are small one-day or weekend events, so check the dates on each card.
When do the Edinburgh Christmas markets open in 2026?
Official 2026 dates: Edinburgh Christmas Market - Princes Street Gardens: 14 Nov 2026 – 3 Jan 2027. For the other 2 markets we haven't confirmed 2026 dates yet.
Are the Christmas markets in Edinburgh free?
Yes, entry to the markets we list is free — you only pay for food, drinks and gifts. Many stalls serve mulled wine in a mug with a small deposit that you get back when you return it.