Edinburgh Christmas Market 2022
Edinburgh’s winter festivals combine Christmas and Hogmanay over the November to January festive period. It’s one of the best times for visiting the city as you can pick and choose from a vast array of events and things to do.
Edinburgh Christmas Market is one of the most popular events and in this guide, I list the updated dates for 2022 with opening times and locations.
While in Edinburgh, you can enjoy a ride on the Big Wheel, the Star Flyer or a traditional Christmas carousel.
Ice skating is always popular; you can hire skates if you don’t have your own.
Edinburgh has two main Christmas markets: the traditional European Christmas market at East Princes Street Gardens and the Scottish Market on George Street towards St Andrew Garden.
Entry to the Christmas markets is free and no tickets are required. However, crowd control is in place to ensure everyone’s safety. This means you may have to wait briefly during peak times, but it’s generally fine.
Although everyone loves the Christmas stalls for eating, drinking and shopping, there are several other activities in the area.
Book tickets (see below) if you’re interested in skating at the ice rink, taking a ride on the big wheel or finding your way through the Christmas Tree Maze.
Dates and Locations
> Edinburgh Christmas Market dates: 25th November 2022 to 3rd January 2023.
Opening times: 10am to 10pm daily.
Location: East Princes Street Gardens in the Mound Precinct and along George Street in New Town.
Admission: The Christmas market is free and unticketed.
Ice rink: You can book tickets here.
Big Wheel: Book tickets online.
Christmas Tree Maze: Located at West Princes Street Gardens. Book here.
Reason to visit:Special events, food, loads of drinks and a fun atmosphere.
Specialities: The Christmas Tree Maze and reindeer carousel.
Recommended tour: Take Edinburgh’s most popular tour, a ghost tour of Edinburgh’s vaults.
Travel tip: Hogmanay is a 3-day event that includes Party at the Bells and the Torchlight Procession for which you must book tickets in advance. This year’s tickets are still to be announced. Check back here closer to the time for more information.
Where to stay: Market Street Hotel is highy-rated hotel located in the Mound Precinct in the Old Town.
Hotels near Edinburgh Christmas Market
Edinburgh Castle overlooks both the Old Town and the New Town and the area where it intersects, the Mound Precinct. This central area is where you’ll most likely want to stay to be near the Christmas markets and the city’s main sights and attractions.
You might also like to stay in one of Edinburgh’s cool neighbourhoods like Stockbridge, Dean Village or even Leith on the waterfront.
I suggest staying at Market Street Hotel as it’s a 6-minute walk to both East Princes Street Gardens and George Street.
If you’d prefer to stay elsewhere, my guide to hotels near Edinburgh Christmas Market lists several well-located hotels covering all budgets.
Location of Edinburgh Christmas Market
Things to do in Edinburgh in Winter
Visiting Edinburgh in winter made me seriously consider moving there to live. It’s one of the UK’s great cities and there are many interesting things to do all winter long.
* Of course, Edinburgh Castle is worth visiting all year round. This skip the line tour is extremely popular.
* Go skating at the George Street ice rink.
* Visit the Christmas Tree Maze at West Princes Street Gardens.
* Santa’s Grotto is also at West Princes Street Gardens.
* The Festive Light Trail runs throughout the city over winter.
* Edinburgh Zoo has some interesting winter-specific events.
* The Royal Botanic Gardens are incredibly beautiful and a great escape into nature. The gardens are well worth visiting for what is effectively a living museum.
> Extend you Christmas holiday this year by adding another destination to your trip. This guide to the best Christmas markets in the UK could help you choose where to go. Discover things to do and the best ways to experience British food, history and culture.
Visit Scotland has information regarding events, places to visit and the best ways to experience Edinburgh at Christmas and Hogmanay.
Sustainable Travel Tips
The choices we make have an environmental and social impact on the places we visit. When visiting the Christmas markets, it’s important to keep sustainability in mind.
Implement some or all of these responsible travel measures during your visit.
* Shop mindfully. Only purchase what you really need.
* Walk, cycle and use public transport to get around.
* Stay in a sustainable hotel powered by renewable energy.
* Stay in hotels. Short-stay apartment accommodation can lead to a lack of affordable housing for locals.
* Avoid using plastic or buying items made or packaged with plastic.
* Try to eat locally sourced organic food where possible.
* Limit your consumption of meat and dairy.
* Be open to diverse cultures and experiences.
* Explore more than just the main tourist areas.
* Support the arts and attend local events.
* Visit fewer places but stay longer at each destination.
FAQ
When does Edinburgh Christmas Market start? The Christmas market starts on 25th November 2022 and continues until 3rd January 2023.
Where is Edinburgh Christmas Market? The Christmas market is located at East Princes Street Gardens in the Mound Precinct and along George Street in New Town.
What time does Edinburgh Christmas Market open? The Christmas market opens at 10am daily.
What time does Edinburgh Christmas Market close? The Christmas market closes at 10pm daily.
Is Edinburgh Christmas Market free? The Christmas market is free to enter and you don’t need to buy tickets.
If you have visited Edinburgh in winter or would like to leave a review of the Christmas market, feel free to comment below. This helps others who are interested in visiting and are trying to plan their holiday.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Edinburgh, Scotland. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.