Christmas in Edinburgh: Essential Things to Do and See

Christmas markets, light displays, shows, sounds, and colors in Edinburgh during the holiday season.

Sparkling lights, decorated trees, sounds, songs, and colorful markets. Christmas turns Edinburgh into a fairy-tale city where both young and old can immerse themselves in the festive atmosphere.

From Light Night in late November, the city shines with its most beautiful lights and hosts a series of family events until early January: from Santa's race to Boxing Day and the unmissable Edinburgh Winter Festival.

But just wandering through Edinburgh during Christmas will be a wonderful spectacle. Between one Christmas market and another, warm up with a mug of mulled wine or glühwein, the English equivalent of spiced wine.

For the more adventurous, we recommend the Scottish version, the hot toddy, made with whisky, honey, and spices.

Here's what to do in Edinburgh during Christmas, a magical celebration that in Scotland blends Celtic traditions with Christian ones.

Christmas in Edinburgh begins in late November with Light Night, the night of lights. It's when the city's decorations are turned on, and Christmas festivities kick off.

Typically, the event starts at 3 PM with schools, communities, and local groups opening the festivities with Christmas songs, sounds, and dances.

Amidst performances and concerts, the afternoon concludes with an incredible fireworks display marking the official lighting of Edinburgh's Christmas lights, with a 'flying' visit from Santa Claus.

Among the many lights of the city, the Christmas tree on The Mound, in the heart of the city, is also illuminated. It is a spruce tree gifted by Norway to Scotland, as a reminder of the historic bond between the two countries.

DISCOVER: NEW YEAR IN EDINBURGH

The Christmas lights offer the entire city of Edinburgh a festive atmosphere and indescribable magic. After Light Night the city shines with a thousand lights.

Among the most beautiful, you must see the lights of Edinburgh Castle, which for the third year hosts the Castle of Light: a kingdom of colours event from November 18 to December 30, 2023.

You will see projections dance on the castle walls, and stunning light displays will guide you through the halls in a sea of sparkling lights and colorful displays. The Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden organizes Christmas at the Botanics, from November 17 to December 30.

Here you will find a sparkling path where you can walk among a million twinkling lights, illuminated sculptures on the trees, and shiny snowflakes.

From December 2 to 31, 2023, the Spectacle of Light takes place at Dalkeith Country Park, just outside Edinburgh. This year's light displays are inspired by pirates and the Treasure Island.

Finally, from December 2 to 23 at Beecraigs Country Park, about 50 minutes from Edinburgh, the Beecraigs Festive Forest features illuminated pathways, a laser show, and enchanting panoramic views of Edinburgh.

Christmas markets fill Edinburgh with lights, sounds, and colors.

Even if you don't plan to buy anything, it is worth visiting the charming wooden huts to sample local specialties, enjoy a warm drink, and discover traditional crafts.

ALSO SEE: CHRISTMAS MARKETS IN EUROPE

The European Christmas Market is the most famous, a large-scale Christmas market located in the city center on Princes Street. It was originally established by merchants from Frankfurt.

The Scottish Market is set in St. Andrews Square and represents a Highlands village, where you can find traditional Scottish products.

The Children's Market is the newest of the markets, designed for children but enjoyable for adults as well, taking place in the Princes Street Gardens.

Edinburgh Winter Festival kicks off on November 25 and runs until January 3, bringing a range of fun and free festive events to Edinburgh.

Among the many events, make sure not to miss the Nativity Carol Concert on Sunday, November 27, and the Santa Fun Run on Sunday, December 4.

Then, East Princes Street Gardens, nestled in the historic center of Edinburgh, with stunning views of the iconic city skyline, Edinburgh Castle, and the Scott Monument, hosts the traditional Christmas market with about 70 stalls.

The upper part of East Princes Street Gardens will feature the Forth 1 Big Wheel and a selection of thrilling rides.

At West Princes Street Gardens, visitors will find Santa Land, with a maze of Christmas trees and a family amusement park, along with the brand-new Santa Stories, where children can experience a special Christmas story told by Santa Claus himself along with some special guests.

All children will receive a gift. George Street will then host Edinburgh's spectacular Christmas ice rink: Lidl on Ice, which this year will be indoors for the first time, allowing visitors to enjoy it in any weather, surrounded by the elegant architecture of the 18th century.

Skaters and friends can warm up with mulled wine or hot chocolate, take a ride on a vintage carousel before enjoying the rest of what George Street has to offer.

In St Andrew Square, the Kindness Festival by Social Bite takes place, a place where trees and gifts can be donated. Donations can help contribute to Christmas dinners and food packages, as well as help distribute gifts to families, children, and people in need or homeless.

Open seven days a week, from 10 AM until late, the Christmas markets of Edinburgh, Santa Land, Forth 1 Big Wheel, and other attractions start on Friday, November 25, in the afternoon.

Among the many events, the Edinburgh Winter Festival dazzles with ceilidh (parties with Scottish folk music and dances), concerts, workshops, nights out at local venues, and more.

It's another big event of the Scottish Christmas, scheduled for December 4.

It's a 2.5 km fun run that anyone can participate in dressed as Santa Claus, a fun time to spend with friends and family that also serves a charitable purpose.

The money raised from the marathon is donated to the organization 'When You Wish Upon A Star,' which works to fulfill the wishes of sick children throughout Scotland. The route begins at 11 AM from the Princes Street gardens, with registration available on the marathon's website.

In Scotland, Christmas is celebrated differently than in Italy.

December 24 is entirely dedicated to friends: everyone dresses up to spend the day in pubs and venues in the city with music, dancing, alcohol, and celebration until the morning.

December 25 is finally the time to open Christmas gifts, and it is a day dedicated to family. Scots gather around the table for a big meal featuring traditional specialties, finishing with holiday sweets, including the Christmas Pudding, just to name one.

A unique element is the so-called 'crackers,' the quintessential Christmas gift for Scots. They are a kind of giant cardboard candy containing a surprise inside.

Players take turns: each person pulls from one end to the other; when the cracker tears apart, it makes a popping sound, and whoever has the longer piece gets the gift inside. December 25 marks the height of the Christmas festivities, a magical time that concludes in the first days of January.

On December 26, Scotland celebrates Boxing Day, named after the box in which gifts are often placed. Every year, someone receives an unwanted gift or something they already have, so Scots have found a solution. Instead of accumulating useless items at home, they collect them in a box and donate them to charity.

The origins of this tradition are unknown; it is thought to have originated from the old practice of lords giving gifts to poorer workers. Today, Boxing Day marks the start of the sales.