When does Edinburgh Christmas Market start? Here's everything you need to know for 2025 including dates, opening times and more

As Christmas draws closer and the weather grows colder, the seasonal attraction – which was recently crowned as best in the UK – will soon begin welcoming visitors.

Transforming the city centre into a winter wonderland, Edinburgh’s traditional Christmas market will see 71 artisan Scottish traders showcasing their goods in beautifully decorated chalets, with a handful of international traders also offering handmade crafts, treats and more.

With Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets set to open on Saturday, here is everything you need to know from opening hours, rides and attractions, events and more.

When does Edinburgh Christmas Market open? 2025 dates

For the festive season, Edinburgh’s Traditional Christmas Market will open on Saturday, November 15 2025 and run until Sunday, January 4 2026.

It will only be closed completely on Christmas Day (Thursday, December 25), however, there will be reduced operating hours on specific days.

Edinburgh Christmas Market opening times

If you’re planning on heading along to Edinburgh Christmas Market, you will need to know when it’s open.

For the majority of the festive season, the Traditional Market will be open daily from 10am to 10pm. However, there will be shorter opening hours on several days including Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, Hogmanay, New Year’s Day and the final day of the market.

Here are all of the specific opening dates and times for the Edinburgh Christmas Market.

What will food and drink be like?

As always, there will be Scottish and international traders showcasing their wares at Edinburgh Christmas Market. This includes seasonal classics such as roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and cider, hot chocolate and many more.

Highlights include stalls such as Dutch Stroopwafels from Wholly Waffles, Pies by Jarvis Pickle, Coffee and Donut Hut, Uplands Roast, mac and cheese from Mac Love, and many, many more.

Innis and Gunn are also returning as Edinburgh’s Christmas drinks partner, serving up specials including their new Mulled Winter Warmer, which will infuse Innis and Gunn Original with Monkey Shoulder Scotch whisky, winter spices and orange zest.

READ MORE: The best food and drink advent calendars for Christmas 2025 - including whisky, wine and cheese

What rides are at Edinburgh Christmas Market?

In East Princes Street Gardens – where the traditional market is – there are several rides from a vintage carousel to the LNER Big Wheel and more.

There is then West Princes Street Gardens which will have attractions such as dodgems and waltzers as part of the the Festive Funfair. While this section will also be open for the same number of days, operating hours will vary so it’s worth checking online beforehand.

Here are all of the rides at Edinburgh Christmas Market this year:

• LNER Big Wheel – East Princes Street Gardens
• Around the World Starflyer – East Princes Street Gardens
• Helter Skelter – East Princes Street Gardens
• Vintage Carousel Ride – East Princes Street Gardens
• The Matrix (for thrill seekers) – West Princes Street Gardens
• Dodgems – West Princes Street Gardens
• Samba Balloon Ride – West Princes Street Gardens
• Racing Autodrome – West Princes Street Gardens
• Cups and Saucers – West Princes Street Gardens
• Techno Power (for thrill seekers) – West Princes Street Gardens
• Sizzler – West Princes Street Gardens
• Ski Party – West Princes Street Gardens
• Toy Carousel – West Princes Street Gardens
• Waltzer – West Princes Street Gardens
• Dragon Coaster – West Princes Street Gardens
• Funhouse – West Princes Street Gardens

For big rides such as the LNER Big Wheel and the Around the World Starflyer, the swings which are 80m tall, tokens for a ride can be purchased online in advance.

Ice skating at Edinburgh’s Christmas

As part of Edinburgh’s Christmas there is also the George Street Ice Rink, which will be open from Thursday, November 20 until Sunday, January 4 though session times will vary.

Open to all, the rink has 100% real ice and can be pre-booked online with prices starting at £15 for around a 40 minute session, including skate hire.

The rink will also run relaxed sessions, those for toddlers and adult-only late skates on certain days throughout the festive period with more information available online.

What’s on at George Street?

Aside from the ice rink, Edinburgh’s Christmas continues on George Street with the Winter Warmers Zone, fair rides, and the Local Motive Market.

George Street is also home to the Polar Ice Bar, which is entirely sculpted out of ice. Don’t worry - jackets and gloves will be provided so the -8°C temperatures don’t feel quite so nippy.

There are alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks available, with this year’s bar themed after an ice queen’s castle. Booking is strongly advised, with tickets available for different sessions throughout the day. Each ticket includes one drink and glove and jacket hire.

READ MORE: Best Christmas markets 2025 - The UK's 8 best Christmas market cities to visit

What else is on?

In addition to the Traditional Christmas Market, there are more attractions and events running across Edinburgh’s festive period.

Here are just some of the 2025 Edinburgh Christmas programme highlights.

Norwegian Christmas Tree Light-Up – Tuesday, November 18 at 6pm

The annual Christmas tree switch on at the Mound will take place from 6pm on Tuesday, November 18. A beloved event, it is also a symbol of friendship between Norway and Scotland. Following the ceremony, there is a Scottish-Norwegian advent concert at St Giles’ Cathedral at 7pm, which is totally free to attend.

Light Night Concert at Ross Bandstand – Sunday, November 23 from 2pm until 6pm

Kicking off events at Ross Bandstand is the free Light Night Concert which will begin at 2pm on Sunday, November 23. On until 6pm, it will open with performances from local choirs, dancers and community groups with roaming entertainers also at West Princes Street Gardens.

However, the main event later in the day will feature magic acts, singalongs and a special visit from Santa ahead of a lantern parade and more.

A Taste of Scotland at Ross Bandstand – Saturday, November 29 from 12pm until 6pm

The Red Hot Chilli Pipers will take centre stage at the Ross Bandstand for a free fun event celebrating Scotland’s heritage. The iconic pipers will entertain crowds with their lively performance, with music from local performers and Highland dancers with food including stovies on offer. There will also be a local makers’ market in recognition of Fair Saturday.

St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh & Market at Ross Bandstand– Sunday, November 20 from 12pm until 6pm

To celebrate St Andrew’s Day Edinburgh’s Christmas organisers have put together a free family ceilidh event. The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience will provide music with all instructions for the dancing to be included so it’s beginner friendly as well.

Nativity Scene Carols on The Mound – Sunday, November 20 from 5pm until 6pm

Munich sculptor Thomas Hildenbrand’s nativity scene - which has become a staple of festive celebrations - will return to The Mound. The seasonal landmark will be blessed by Reverend Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews and Edinburgh, to mark the beginning of the city’s Christmas celebrations.

After the blessing, visitors are invited to join the annual Nativity Carol Concert held in collaboration with Edinburgh Churches Together in Assembly Hall’s Courtyard, which will feature performances from local school and church choirs - and all for free.

Edinburgh Sings at Ross Bandstand – Saturday, December 6 from 2pm until 5pm

Another free event is Edinburgh Sings. Taking place on Saturday, December 6 this afternoon of free festive music will include performances from local choirs with singalongs and more at the Ross Bandstand.

Santa Run and Santa Paws at Ross Bandstand – Sunday, December 7 from 9.30am

Santas, elves, Olafs and more will run, jog or walk around a 2.5km circuit in West Princes Street Gardens to raise money for Scottish charity When You Wish Upon a Star on Sunday, December 7. Registration will be open from 9.30am to 10.30am with the event kicking off from 11am. More can be found about the event online.

Don’t worry if you don’t want to leave your furry friends behind, there is also Santa Paws - the Santa Run, but for animals. With best dressed show and more, it is bound to be a fun day.

Silent Disco Christmas Cracker at Ross Bandstand – Saturday, December 13 from 6.30pm until 8pm

There’s also the Silent Disco Christmas Cracker, which will see eventgoers dance the night away beneath Edinburgh Castle. With both a static and a roaming DJ, there are three channels of Christmas tunes to choose from. Tickets start from £12 with more information available online.

Discounts for those with EH postcodes

Once again, there will be discounts on offer across Edinburgh Christmas Market for local residents with EH postcodes, covering rides and some attractions such as ice skating.

To redeem these discounts, you can do so online or in person. If purchasing tickets online, you must log in - or register for an account - first, ensuring your billing address includes an EH postcode.

All you then need to do is to add standard tickets to your basket which will then automatically adjust at checkout. If you are planning to pay in person, it is a case of simply showing proof of your residence such as a driver's license.

Tickets are limited to four per event and six per attraction, and any discounts do not apply to concession or other discounted tickets. You must also remember to request the discount if you are attending in person. More details are available online.