These 8 best Christmas activities in Edinburgh will keep you coming back each year!
Christmas truly is the most wonderful time of the year, and there’s nowhere better to soak up the festive spirit than in my hometown. Edinburgh’s holiday traditions are brimming with charm—and honestly, a bit underrated.
Picture this: the annual Hogmanay torchlight procession, bustling holiday markets, carols echoing through historic cathedrals, and even a cosy afternoon tea inside a mediaeval castle!
If that doesn’t tempt you to spend Christmas in Edinburgh, keep reading to discover more holiday magic!
Stroll around the Royal Botanic Garden at night
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Address: Royal Botanic Garden
Contact Details: +44 131 248 2909
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 4:00 pm
Admission Fee: Check website for more information about latest rates
Christmas at the Royal Botanic Garden is something any native looks forward to every year. As someone who spent many winters strolling around this gorgeous botanical garden, I can vouch that the Christmas spirit of the city is best seen here.
The garden turns into a feast for the eyes once the sun sets, transforming the snowy grounds into lawns with multiple colourful installations in various shapes and forms.
The installations change every year depending on the year’s chosen theme.
Tips:
- If you become a member of the Royal Botanic Garden, you can get a £3 discount on tickets once the event starts during the holiday season. Learn more about the membership perks here.
- Note that entry to the garden is limited per day. You’ll need to secure the date and time of your visit before you purchase your ticket. Plan your visit ahead of time and book tickets through this portal.
Listen to festive carol singers at the Palace of Holyroodhouse
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Address: Canongate, Palace of Holyroodhouse
Contact Details: +44 303 123 7306
Operating Hours: Monday, Thursday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm
Admission Fee: Starts at £25 per person
Another awaited event during the Christmas season is the carolling sessions at the majestic Palace of Holyroodhouse. This festive event set in the 16th-century royal palace features choral music sung by the Robin Chapel Choir.
My suggestion is to book a tour around the palace grounds during the day and end the tour just in time for the carol singing. Tickets start at £25 per person and are eligible for reservation at least 1 year in advance!
Tips:
- You can tour the inside of the palace on your own, but if you want to get better insight into the palace grounds, you can book a guided tour. Guided tours are only available on the external grounds of the palace, by the way! Special tours for blind and partially sighted visitors are also available upon request. If you book your tickets in advance, you can get discounts of up to £2 per ticket.
- If you buy tickets on the day of your visit, you’ll be charged the regular full price. Book ahead on the website to score cheaper deals!
Shop for Christmas goodies and food at the Edinburgh Christmas Market
– Media from edinburghschristmas
Address: Princes St, Princes Street Gardens
Contact Details: +44 303 123 7306
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 10:00 pm
Admission Fee: Free
Nothing screams Christmas without visiting a jolly Christmas market! Edinburgh has its own annual market that stretches the whole length of Princes Street. The street turns into a festive shopping district that is lined with stalls selling food, trinkets, and drinks.
As it is a traditional Christmas market, you’ll find many stalls selling handmade gifts created by local artisans, as well as some delicious local drinks like beer, whisky, and cider that you might only find during the holiday season.
Tips:
- The ideal time to visit the market is during the week. Weekends, especially Saturdays, tend to get crowded, with queues spilling onto the streets. If you prefer a more relaxed stroll without the hassle of navigating through crowds, weekdays are your best bet.
- If you want to catch your breath and watch the Christmas market chaos go by, head over to the National Galleries Cafe and sit by the floor-to-ceiling windows. You’ll get a great view of Princes Street from there!
Delight in a candlelit concert in the St. Giles’ Cathedral
– Media from stgileshighkirk
Address: High St
Contact Details: +44 131 226 0674
Operating Hours:
- Monday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Tuesday to Friday, 10:00 am to 6:00 pm
- Saturday, 9:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Sunday, 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm
Admission Fee:
- Free entrance
- Tickets to concerts may vary and are subject to change
Each year, the stunning Gothic architecture of St. Giles’ Cathedral transforms into a magical setting for the cathedral choir’s Christmas carol showcase.
Picture timeless pieces like Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata and Torelli and Corelli’s Christmas Concertos reverberating through the grand space, surrounded by the soft glow of candlelight.
If you’re into classical music (or just love a good holiday vibe), this is one festive experience you don’t want to miss!
Tips:
- The candlelight concerts run through November and extend until December. Concert highlights are shown in their events calendar here. If there is a show you’re interested in catching, you can learn more about the event and book tickets for that specific concert.
- A few parking spots are available right in front of the Cathedral entrance at West Parliament Square. Since these are shared with nearby businesses, please call the hotline above in advance if you plan to use them.
Enjoy an exquisite Christmas afternoon tea at the historic Edinburgh Castle
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Address: Castlehill, Edinburgh Castle
Contact Details: +44 131 225 9846
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 9:30 am to 5:00 pm
Admission Fee: £54 per person (already includes admission)
Yes, you read that right. An exquisite Christmas tea party set inside a historic 11th-century castle—who in the world would say no to that?!
Every Christmas season, the Tea Rooms at the Edinburgh Castle welcome guests to their traditional Christmas Afternoon Tea sessions featuring freshly prepared cakes, scones, and sandwiches.
These bites are paired with a piping hot pot of tea (and for others, a glass of gin or prosecco). If you’re visiting the city for the first time, this tea experience is a MUST!
Tips:
- The afternoon tea session already includes an admission ticket to the castle grounds, although tours are not included. Take advantage of the admission by arriving at the castle early before your tea time slot!
- If you’ve already purchased a ticket to the castle but want to enjoy the afternoon tea service, you can simply call the hotline above and request the experience as an add-on. They require notice of at least 48 hours, though!
- Alcohol will not be served before 1:00 pm on Sunday, by the way.
Say “Cheers!” to a very merry Christmas at The Dome
– Media from thedomeedinburgh
Address: 14 George St
Contact Details: +44 131 624 8624
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 12:00 am
Admission Fee: Rates vary; check this page for info
The Dome is one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, an exquisite 18th-century structure now home to a lively bar and restaurant where locals and visitors alike gather for their annual festive toast.
What makes this place truly memorable are its magnificent Ionic columns that line the building’s grand façade. Each year, the Dome is adorned inside and out with twinkling Christmas lights and seasonal decorations, creating an enchanting atmosphere.
And the tradition? Every guest is encouraged to raise a glass—be it whisky or their drink of choice—under the towering Christmas tree in the lobby. Cheers!
Tips:
- The bar and restaurant open Christmas season reservations up to a year in advance, and bookings can be made exclusively through their online portal. Please note: reservations by email are not accepted, and guests visiting the bar for drinks only are welcome on a walk-in basis.
- There are a total of three venues inside The Dome where you can place your bookings. Note that each venue has its own “Festive Menu” to be served during the Christmas season. You can learn more about them and view the menu offerings here.
- The Dome will be closed on Christmas Day! Don’t try to talk your way into getting a booking on that date.
Feast on dozens of chocolates and sweet treats at The Chocolatarium
– Media from chocolatarium
Address: 3-5 Cranston St
Contact Details: +44 117 205 1079
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm
Admission Fee:
- Adult: £25 per person
- Child: £17 per person
A visit to The Chocolatarium is a must year-round, but it’s especially magical at Christmas. The famous Chocolate Tour takes you through the chocolate-making process and finishes with a fun workshop to craft your own chocolate bar.
The tour lasts around 90 minutes and includes a visit to the Tasting Room—my favourite part! Here, you can sample and select from over 40 different flavours to create your personalised chocolate bar.
Tips:
- If you want to take your tour experience to another level, you can book the Chocolate and Whisky Experience which is essentially the same 90-minute tour but focused on Scotch whisky and chocolate truffle pairings. Tickets start at £44 per person, and you can learn more about it here.
- Since this is a chocolate factory, be aware that you may be exposed to certain allergens during the tour. If you have a severe allergy to any sort of ingredient, please tell the management right away. Book your tour at your own risk, but if you’re unsure, consider skipping the tour.
Take part in the renowned Hogmanay torchlight procession
– Media from edhogmanay
Address: The Meadows, Melville Drive
Contact Details: +44 131 529 5151
Operating Hours: Usually every December 29 to 30, at 6:30 pm
Admission Fee: Starts at £18 per person
Hogmanay is a cherished Scottish tradition marking the final day of the year. In Edinburgh, this celebration takes the form of a stunning torchlight procession, where locals fill the streets, lighting over 20,000 torches to welcome the new year.
Even if you’re not carrying a torch, witnessing this incredible spectacle is a must for any visitor. Held only once a year, the procession is accompanied by fire performers, street artists, drummers, and lively music, creating an unforgettable experience.
Tips:
- The procession route usually starts at the Meadows and then ends right below the Edinburgh Castle. For any changes in the procession proper, you can head over to this page for information and updates.
- Do not wear any delicate fabrics when participating in the torchlight procession. The winds may blow the torch fire towards you and can easily burn any delicate fabric.