Imagine sipping on a mulled wine as you try to pick out a Christmas tree ornament to bring home as a souvenir. As you raise your gaze you see a stone castle that looks to be straight out of a gothic romance novel majestically resting on the top of a hill overlooking the entire city. This is what becomes reality when you visit the Edinburgh Christmas Market! Let me tell you (hi my name is Moa and I live in Edinburgh) more about my favourite spots around town, details like the Christmas market opening hours, some lovely hotels so you can stay nearby and a couple of extra bonus spots that are well worth your time!
A Christmas Market with a castle view
The market and the festive activities around Edinburgh mostly take place in the city centre. But I will recommend a couple of other spots that I really like as well.
Princes Street Gardens – the main Christmas Market
Princes Street Gardens is split into Princes Street Gardens West and Princes Street Gardens East. In each section you will find slightly different things. At the west end there is mostly rides and attractions for children. However this is also where you will find the gorgeous Ross Fountain which is one of my favourite photo spots in Edinburgh. They have also put up a little sleigh in front of it to make your photo opportunity even more festive! At the east end is where you find the main market. There is also a couple of rides, including the thrilling star flyer and a big ferris wheel. The opening hours for this main section of the Edinburgh Christmas Market is 10.00-22.00 every day. The only exception is for the days around Christmas and New Years.
George Street – ice rinks & ice bars
On George Street there are a couple of food & drinks stands, but the main attraction is either the ice bar or the ice rink. At the ice rink you buy a ticket and borrow skates (if you don’t have your own) and then off you go. You can skate around the rink in a loop, and the whole space is decorated with Christmas trees and sparkling lights. A lovely activity to do before going for a mulled wine or to explore the rest of the market.
Right next to it you also have the Polar Ice Bar. I would recommend buying a ticket in advance as it can be really busy. Inside there are ice sculptures and of course the drinks are served in your very own little ice glass. As someone who loves the cold and would adore to visit the ice hotel in my home country of Sweden someday, I really love visiting an ice bar. We don’t get much snow in Edinburgh unfortunately but at least the ice bar brings a cosy festive feeling similar to when it snows.
♥ Prices from: £20.00 Duration: 40 min
Christmas Shopping Fair at Hopetoun House
Hopetoun House is a beautiful estate home just outside of Edinburgh. Every year they have their Shopping Fair, usually around the end of November and tickets must be purchased in advance. For 2025 the fair is on over the 29th November, 30th November and 1st Dececember. There are over 50 exhibitors showcasing their artisan wares. The historic building makes for such a lovely backdrop for the occasion as well.
Christmas at the Botanics
Between the 20th November and 30th December you can visit a beautiful trail through the botanics lined with various light displays. Tickets are available on the website and recommended to pre-book. They are £25 for adults and there are reduced rates for children, families and members. Throughout the gardens there are also food and drink stalls. The light trail is ticketed and only available from 16.15 but the gardens have free entry as usual before then.
♥ Need more tips? Make sure to read my extensive Edinburgh guide filled with my local tips
A German Christmas Market in Edinburgh, Scotland?
The Christmas market in Edinburgh was called the “German Christmas Market” for a while. This is because the market is in the style of one you might find in Germany. I’m quite glad they are stepping away from the title now though as it makes no sense to me to have a German Christmas Market in Scotland. Just make it a Scottish Christmas Market. I think that would make it feel even more genuine and cosy to visit. I was also so glad to see more local businesses have stalls at the market this year. In the past couple of years it had seemed to have been an influx of the same overpriced shops that just sell the same thing over and over. Ideally I’d love to see only local businesses and a real Scottish focus on both theme and stalls.
Don’t miss!
- The best photo opportunity: Make sure to enter the main market from the entrance by the bottom of Cockburn Street. That way you get to admire the big glittery Edinburgh sign with Scott Monument as a backdrop when you walk up through Princes Street Gardens and in to the market.
- The Polar Ice Bar: I just love the novelty of drinking my cocktail out of a glass made of ice!
- Shop with local brands: Throughout the market you can find some small local businesses like Royal Mile Silver, Edinburgh Honey Co and Aelder. If you are looking for souvenirs or gifts they all make some lovely products!
- Admire the Christmas decorations around town: I love going for a walk to admire the Christmas decorations around town. My favourite ones are by Gleneagles Townhouse, Tigerlily and Melville Place.
- Christmas at the Botanics: Get away from the busy city centre and enjoy the beautiful botanic gardens and the festive light displays. A really cosy activity and you get yet another view of the castle.
Where to eat & drink at the Edinburgh Christmas Market
There are several stalls for food and drink around the Christmas market. One of my favourite things is to pick up a glass of mulled wine and enjoy it as I wander through, looking at the different stalls. A new favourite for me this year is the Aelder punch, made with an elderberry liqueur from the local company Buck & Birch. If you want a festive drink, that tasted of Scotland – I highly recommend this one!
I also have a soft spot for crepes, whether savoury or sweet. At most of the market stalls, though, they tend to be mainly sweet. If you’re looking for a real treat, make sure to stop by Chulo’s Stuffed Cookies, a local bakery that makes incredible baked goods. For a lovely savoury snack on the go, grab one of the warming pies from Jarvis Pickle. I especially love the beef and ale pie or the chicken and leek.
Bonus: support small, local and incredibly Scottish brands for your gifting and souvenirs!
Having lived in Scotland for over 10 years now, I am incredibly passionate about the wonderful businesses that I have come across here. So if you are visiting Edinburgh and Scotland I would highly recommend checking out my gift & souvenir guide here below as I think it’s incredibly important, now more than ever, to support locals brands. Some of them you will even find at the Christmas Market this year!
opening hours:
10.00-22.00
(reduced hours for Christmas & New Years)
Where to stay in Edinburgh (hotels near the Christmas Market)
If you are looking for hotels near the Christmas Market in Edinburgh, I would highly recommend these ones!
♥ Read our full guide to the best hotels in Edinburgh here!
- Gleneagles Townhouse: Incredibly elegant and probably my favourite hotel in Edinburgh. The building is an old bank and the interiors are absolutely stunning – and especially so with all the Christmas decorations. Prices: £350–£600 per night
- Hotel Indigo: This hotel is right opposite the main section of Christmas market so you probably can’t stay any closer than this. Prices: £130–£180 per night
- Kimpton at Charlotte Square: Located near the west end of Princes Street and another elegant hotel. They also have a Levant-inspired restaurant called Baba which I also highly recommend. Prices: ± £190–£250 per night
- The Witchery: Is there a hotel that looks more like a gothic romance novel than The Witchery? It’s an absolute dream to stay here, or at its sister hotel Prestonfield House. Prices: £450–£650 per night
- The Scotsman: A stylish and classy hotel which even has its own cinema. There is also a DIY-Bloody Mary station at breakfast… Prices: £160–£280 per night
- Tigerlily: I stayed at Tigerlily the night before my wedding and it felt magical as my room had an open fire and outside the window I could spot people going around the ice rink on George Street. The entrance also has one of the most beautiful decorations, which is well worth a visit for a photo even if you are not staying here. Prices: £130–£190 per night
FAQ About Edinburgh Christmas Markets
The Edinburgh Christmas Market opening hours are 10.00-22.00 with the exception of the days around Christmas and New Years when they are slightly reduced.
It does snow in Edinburgh, but very rarely. We usually get maybe one or two days each winter, although I always hope for more!
The market is open from November 15th 2025 until January 4th 2026. It is closed on Christmas Day.
Some of the best hotels near Edinburgh Christmas Market are Gleneagles Townhouse, Hotel Indigo on Princes Street, Kimpton Charlotte Square, The Witchery, The Scotsman and Tigerlily. Hotel Indigo is right opposite the main section of the market, while Kimpton Charlotte Square and Tigerlily are perfect if you want to be close to the ice rink and George Street lights. For a more dramatic feel, The Witchery and The Scotsman both offer a romantic stay just a short stroll from the festivities, and Gleneagles Townhouse is ideal if you’re after elegant interiors and magical Christmas decorations within walking distance of the markets.
Need more inspiration for your Edinburgh trip?
- Edinburgh: A local’s guide and recommendations to things to do and see
- The best hotels in Edinburgh: 19 luxurious recommendations
- Lannan Bakery: a local’s recommendations and review of the most popular bakery in Edinburgh
- The Edinburgh Fringe Festival: the world’s largest arts festival
What season are you visiting Edinburgh in? See my seasonal guides here below!
- The best time to visit Edinburgh: A seasonal travel guide
- Edinburgh Guide in Spring
- Edinburgh Guide in Summer
- Edinburgh Guide in Autumn
- Edinburgh Guide in Winter
Want to read more about Christmas Markets?
Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
