Edinburgh's Christmas Market
55°57′ N 3°12′ WEdinburghfrom Nov 14Seasonal
Edinburgh's Christmas Market fills East Princes Street Gardens below the castle and suits families and anyone visiting between Christmas and New Year, though the narrow garden paths crowd at peak times. In 2026 it runs from 14 November to 3 January 2027, open daily 10:00–22:00 except Christmas Day, with dates confirmed by the organizer, Unique Assembly.
Edinburgh's Christmas Market runs November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027 · confirmed by the organizer (source)
Advent SundaysGaudete, 13 DecemberChristmas Eve
Dates and hours
- November 14, 2026 to January 3, 2027Confirmedsourcechecked Oct 10, 2026
Hours · Mon–Sun 10:00–22:00
- Nov 17, 2026 · 16:00–22:00 (The organizer lists a late opening on this Tuesday without a reason.)
- Dec 24, 2026 · 10:00–20:00 (Christmas Eve.)
- Dec 25, 2026 · closed (Christmas Day.)
- Dec 26, 2026 · 12:00–20:00 (Boxing Day.)
- Dec 31, 2026 · 10:00–17:00 (Hogmanay.)
- Jan 1, 2027 · 12:00–20:00 (New Year's Day.)
- Jan 3, 2027 · 10:00–18:00 (Last day.)
Access and crowds
- Step-free
- Yes, Edinburgh's Christmas Market has a step-free route
- Toilets
- An accessible toilet stands near the big wheel. Ask security or the front-of-house team for the key.
- Getting around
- East Princes Street Gardens has step-free entrances from Princes Street, at the gate between the galleries on the Mound, and at the Waverley Bridge gate. Walkways are temporary, so some ramps to stalls run steeper than 1:12. Sensory backpacks with ear defenders are free to borrow at the information point, and the big wheel's pods take manual wheelchairs.
- Busiest
- Peak times, when the organizer warns of waits and crowds at the gates and asks visitors to allow extra time.
- Quieter
- Weekdays, when every gate is open and level access works from any entrance.
The setting carries this market. The stalls sit in the gardens that fill the old loch bed between Princes Street and the Old Town, and the castle rises straight above them. Ride the big wheel or the Star Flyer at dusk for the view across the rooftops.
Edinburgh's Christmas runs as a festival across the city centre. The market keeps to East Princes Street Gardens, while the rides fill the western gardens and George Street takes the ice rink and the Polar Ice Bar. Ticketed shows such as La Clique Noël at Bristo Square and Santa's Stories run alongside.
The season overlaps with Hogmanay. On 31 December, the night of the Hogmanay street party, the market shuts at 17:00, and it reopens at midday on New Year's Day.
Worth knowing
- Use the Waverley Bridge entrance if you arrive by train at Waverley, as it is one of the step-free gates.
- Come on a weekday when every gate is open and you can enter from anywhere.
- Book rides such as the big wheel online in advance for weekend evenings.
Quick answers about Edinburgh's Christmas Market
When is the Edinburgh Christmas market 2026?
Edinburgh's Christmas Market runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 in East Princes Street Gardens. The organizer, Unique Assembly, has confirmed the dates.
What are the opening hours of the Edinburgh Christmas market?
Edinburgh's Christmas Market opens 10:00–22:00 daily. Hours change on 24, 26 and 31 December and on 1 and 3 January, and it closes on Christmas Day.
Is the Edinburgh Christmas market free?
Yes. Entry to Edinburgh's Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens is free, while rides and shows need tickets.
Is the Edinburgh Christmas market open on New Year's Eve?
Yes, until 17:00. On 31 December 2026 Edinburgh's Christmas Market opens 10:00–17:00, and it reopens at 12:00 on 1 January 2027.
In the journal and guides
Read more about Edinburgh's Christmas Market
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What's open in Europe on Christmas Eve?
Seventy-nine markets open on 24 December 2026, and most of them close by 18:30, so do your last shopping before dark.
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Which Christmas markets are open after Christmas?
Prague, Salzburg, Dresden and Cologne keep their markets going through the week after Christmas, and Colmar runs to 29 December.
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Which Christmas markets in Europe are open on Christmas Day?
Vienna and Colmar give you the most choice on 25 December 2026, and Tivoli reopens for the day with fireworks at 20:45.
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Which Christmas markets stay open until New Year and Epiphany?
Budapest stays up until 03:00 on New Year's Eve, and 15 markets with confirmed dates are still open on Epiphany, 6 January 2027.