Edinburgh at Christmas – a visitor guide

On this page you can find out about everything you can see and do during your visit to Edinburgh at Christmas time .

Edinburgh is a special place at Christmas time with lots going on in the city and further afield .

Visiting Edinburgh at Christmas 2026

Edinburgh is at its best on a winter afternoon when the lights come on and the last of the daylight catches the castle. Spend a morning exploring the Old Town, browse the Christmas market at dusk and round off the day with a live concert. Take time for a private tour beyond the city to the Highlands , the Kelpies or some Outlander castles , including Lallybroch .

Edinburgh Christmas Market and festive events

Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations run from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. Start at the main Christmas market in East Princes Street Gardens, where you can shop for gifts, pick up something hot to eat and ride the Big Wheel. A weekday afternoon is a good time to browse. For photographs, stay until dusk, when the wheel lights up beside the Scott Monument.

For live music, book a night at Usher Hall. The Choir of King’s College, Cambridge performs on 14 December. The Royal Scottish National Orchestra plays live alongside The Snowman on 20 December and Home Alone 2: Lost in New York on 22 December. At Edinburgh Castle, living-history performances in the Great Hall explore Christmas traditions on 5–6 and 12–13 December.

Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and Victoria Street

Book an early slot at Edinburgh Castle so you can see the Crown Jewels and the Great Hall before walking downhill into the Old Town. I would recommend allowing a couple of hours to explore the castle. Prebooking is recommended at this busy time of year . The castle closes early on Christmas Eve and is closed on 25 and 26 December.

Follow the Royal Mile to St Giles’ Cathedral, then head back toward Victoria Street , famous to Harry Potter fans as the inspiration for Diagon Alley and a film location for Avengers: Infinity War . Browse the independent shops on the way down to the Grassmarket. For one of the best castle photographs, climb the Vennel steps and look back. The view frames the fortress between the buildings. The Royal Mile is full of gift shops with a wide variety of Scottish apparel, postcards , scarfs and posters.

Edinburgh on screen

Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, released in 2025, filmed down the Royal Mile in Edinburgh in September 2024. Visit Parliament Square and St Giles Street, then continue down the Canongate to Bakehouse Close and the World’s End pub , where Outlander filmed scenes for season three. Victoria Street appears in Rebus and Fast & Furious 9, while the Vennel steps feature in One Day.

Edinburgh also appears in Dept. Q, Outlaw King, Avengers: Infinity War, Trainspotting, T2 Trainspotting and Sunshine on Leith. If you’re heading to the Christmas market, take a moment to look across to the Scottish National Gallery, where the musical’s finale was filmed. Dept Q filming has taken place all across the city , including Landmarks & Streets: The Royal Mile, Edinburgh City Chambers, Signet Library, Cockburn Street, Advocates Close, Castle Terrace, and Portobello Beach. Season 2 filming started in September .

Private day trips from Edinburgh

For a shorter trip, visit the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel. The Kelpies Falkirk tours – full day and half day tours to the Kelpies and the Falkirk Wheel from Edinburgh with optional extra – the Falkirk Wheel boat trip . Add Stirling Castle if you’d like to make a day of it. Outlander fans can build a route around Doune Castle, which played Castle Leoch, while photographers can ask about a Highlands trip to Glencoe. Outlander tours for Christmas can be booked online or Whatsapp +447305-294773 .

Half day tours from Edinburgh – The Kelpies Falkirk tours – full day and half day tours from Edinburgh with options In December, it’s worth putting your favourite outdoor stops early in the itinerary so you catch them in daylight.

Private Tours Edinburgh offers custom tours around Scotland for private groups of up to four. Tell us where you’re staying, which places you’d most like to visit and how much time you have. We’ll help put together a route that suits your group and takes seasonal opening hours into account. Plan your custom Scotland tour.

Restaurants in Edinburgh

Edinburgh features cuisine from all around the world. Two of the best restaurants in Edinburgh are the Dome and Gleneagles Townhouse .

Hotels in Edinburgh

The Balmoral

Edinburgh’s iconic “Grand Dame” hotel next to Waverley Station. Features the 4 AA Rosette Number One restaurant, Brasserie Prince, the SCOTCH whisky bar (500+ malts), and the Irene Forte Spa. Holds a Forbes Five-Star rating

Prestonfield House

A 1687 historic manor and country estate set on 20 private acres near Arthur’s Seat, awarded a MICHELIN Key. Features antique-filled rooms and the Rhubarb restaurant