by Anna Hann
posted on 1 November 2023
Edinburgh’s famous Christmas market dominates the city centre in November and December. It gets bigger every year and blends traditional European Christmas chalets with modern Christmas market must-haves, including a Santa’s Grotto and an ice rink.
Your options for Christmas markets in Edinburgh aren’t limited to this central spectacle. You can find artisan pop-ups with local designers selling gorgeous tartan and handmade gifts. Or pair your Edinburgh Christmas market adventure with a visit to another Edinburgh hotspot, such as its castle or zoo.
If you’re booking a car in Edinburgh to explore the city’s Christmas delights, here’s our top pick of the places to go to get into a Christmassy mood.
Best for a festive extravaganza: Edinburgh Christmas Market
The traditional alpine Christmas chalets selling artisanal goodies and cinnamon-spiced treats are just the start of Edinburgh’s Christmas’ seven-week Christmas market. There’s also an ice rink on George Street, a funfair in West Princes Street Gardens, and Santa’s Grotto in St Andrew Square. Most of the traditional Christmas Market takes place in East Princes Street Gardens, with a Big Wheel from where you can see the Edinburgh cityscape ablaze with Christmas lights at the top.
When? 17 November 2023 – 6 January 2024
Best for arts and crafts gifts: Edinburgh 3D2D Christmas Fair
Scottish artists, designers, and makers sell their handmade work at the 3D2D Christmas Fair at the Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh for one weekend in December. Pick up one-of-a-kind textiles and tartan adorned with thistle motifs or find something unexpected for those hard-to-buy-for people.
When? 2 -3 December 2023
Best for after-dark festivities: Christmas at the Botanics
Every winter, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh stages Christmas at the Botanics — festive evenings filled with spectacular light and music. This Christmas, the event has been completely reimagined with new lights and a botanical theme. To complement the impressive light installations, independent street food vendors form a small Christmas food market so you can walk among the lights sipping creamy hot chocolate or a spiced winter warmer or nibbling toasted marshmallows.
When? Selected evenings in November and December 2023
Best for little ones: Jupiter Christmas Fair
Wander the artisan stalls to a soundtrack of live Christmas music and pick up some arty gifts at the Jupiter Christmas Fair. There are festive donkeys to delight the kids, homemade mulled wine for the designated non-driver and hot chocolate for everyone else. Don’t forget to pre-book to visit Santa’s Grotto or the Elf Workshop if you want an audience with Father Christmas.
When? 9 December – 10 December 2023
Best for a traditional atmosphere: Christmas Fair at Hopetoun
Hopetoun House’s annual Christmas Fair is one of your only chances to peek inside the grand rooms of this stately home – and what better time to see it than dressed in its Christmas finery? Over 60 sellers set up shop here, enough to check off a lot of Christmas shopping in one go. Make an afternoon of it and book a table for a festive tea to indulge in yuletide treats, including dark chocolate and hazelnut Christmas tree brownies, and golden sultana and cranberry scones. Pre-booking is essential.
When? 24 – 16 November 2023
Best for a whole day out: Winter Village at Edinburgh Zoo
Visit the Winter Village at Edinburgh Zoo, where there’s a Christmas market, an ice rink, make-your-own wreath workshops, and a festive grotto to check in with the man of the moment. You can even join Santa for a special breakfast if you book ahead. Before or after wandering around the Winter Village, you can explore the zoo – some of the most famous residents include lions, Sumatran tigers, chimpanzees, and giant pandas.
When? 1 December 2023 – 7 January 2024
…or something else?
Looking for something to do before or after visiting a Christmas market in Edinburgh? Extend the Christmas magic with our pick of other Christmas activities.
For an after-dark spectacle, head to the Castle of Light, back for a fourth year with a theme of Magic and Mystery, where you can see Edinburgh Castle lit in kaleidoscopic colours and magical images cast by huge projectors. Before dusk, you can indulge in a splendidly festive afternoon tea at the castle with sweet seasonal delicacies.
If traditional hymns stir your soul at Christmastime, step inside the beautiful St Giles Cathedral in the city centre to soak up the magical atmosphere as a choir sings in hallowed surroundings.
Go like a pro
Before heading to a Christmas market in Edinburgh, we’ve got six top tips to make your visit go without a hitch.
- Check to see if you need to book in advance. Many Christmas markets don’t need pre-booking and are free to attend. But some events are ticketed and can sell out fast.
- Visit when it’s quieter. The main Christmas markets in Edinburgh are popular with locals and tourists and can get busy! Go early in the day or nearer closing time to avoid the busiest spells.
- Check the weather. Don’t let an ill-informed outfit ruin your day out. It’s Edinburgh in December, after all.
- Ask questions. Get the lowdown on what you’re buying and dazzle your gift recipients with plenty of intel about the provenance of their pressie.
- Pre-book parking. Book a car on Turo to get around the capital, but think about where to park before setting off.
- Take cash. Some independent stalls may not have the facilities to accept card payments, so it’s best to go prepared.
Not Edinburgh-bound this Christmas? Check out our guides to the best Christmas Markets in London and Manchester.
