Edinburgh
55°57′ N 3°11′ WCityPop. 506,520Scotland
Edinburgh suits a long Christmas stay that runs into Hogmanay, with a market under the castle that stays open from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, though the gardens get crowded at peak times. Waverley station sits right beside the market.
Who should base here
Edinburgh puts its Christmas market in the gardens under the castle and runs it from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, so a stay here can cover both Christmas and Hogmanay. Waverley station opens onto the market, and the Old Town and New Town sit on either side of it.
Edinburgh's market has one of the best settings in Britain. The stalls fill East Princes Street Gardens, the valley between the Georgian New Town and the castle rock, and the big wheel turns above them. Princes Street runs along the top of the gardens.
Stay long enough to see the city change gear after Christmas. The market reopens on Boxing Day and runs into the new year, and Hogmanay takes over the streets from 29 December.
Worth knowing
- Book Hogmanay events early if your dates run past Christmas.
- Use the Waverley Bridge gate for step-free entry to the market from the station.
Quick answers about Edinburgh
Is Edinburgh good for Christmas markets?
Yes. Edinburgh's Christmas Market fills East Princes Street Gardens below the castle from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, and Hogmanay follows from 29 December.
Is Edinburgh a good place to stay?
Edinburgh puts its Christmas market in the gardens under the castle and runs it from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, so a stay here can cover both Christmas and Hogmanay. Waverley station opens onto the market, and the Old Town and New Town sit on either side of it.