The Edinburgh Christmas Market returns to East Princes Street Gardens from Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027, with the castle above you and Waverley station right next door. Entry is free, the stalls are open most days from 10am to 10pm, and the Big Wheel and the 80-metre Starflyer stand over the chalets. Because it runs past New Year, you can combine a visit with Hogmanay.
Edinburgh Christmas Market 2026: key facts
| Dates | 14 November 2026 – 3 January 2027 |
| Usual hours | 10:00–22:00 |
| Changed hours | 26 Dec 12:00–20:00, 31 Dec 10:00–17:00, 1 Jan 12:00–20:00, 3 Jan 10:00–18:00. Closed 25 December |
| Location | East Princes Street Gardens, next to Waverley station |
| Entry | Free (rides are ticketed) |
| Also on | Festive funfair in West Princes Street Gardens, Polar Ice Bar on George Street |
Christmas Eve also has shorter hours. Check the official times the week you travel.
Where is the Edinburgh Christmas Market?
The main market fills East Princes Street Gardens, between the Scott Monument and The Mound, on the slope below the Old Town. Wooden chalets sell handmade gifts, Scottish crafts, seasonal food and drinks. The LNER Big Wheel and the Around the World Starflyer, 80 metres tall, are part of the same site and give you views across to the castle and the New Town.
Across The Mound, West Princes Street Gardens hosts the festive funfair from 14 November to 3 January. The Polar Ice Bar is on George Street, a couple of blocks north, with adult sessions from 19 November to 2 January and family sessions from 21 November to 3 January.
Events and things to do
- Christmas Kick Off Concert at the Ross Bandstand on 14 November, 3pm to 6pm, free, with the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
- More free bandstand nights: Light Night on 22 November, A Taste of Scotland on 28 November and a St Andrew’s Day ceilidh on 29 November.
- The Santa Fun Run and Walk on 6 December, starting and finishing at the Ross Bandstand.
- La Clique’s Christmas cabaret in a Spiegeltent on Bristo Square, 20 November to 3 January.
Food and drink at the Edinburgh Christmas Market
Along with the usual mulled wine, hot chocolate and bratwurst, you’ll find Scottish treats like tablet, shortbread and local gin, plus street food stalls for a quick dinner. The Coorie Inn, a Highland-style pop-up bar, is a cosy place to warm up between rides.
For gifts, look out for knitwear, tartan and Harris Tweed accessories, and handmade decorations from Scottish makers.
Getting there
Edinburgh Waverley is right beside the gardens. Leave by the Princes Street exit and you’re at the market entrance in a few minutes. Trams from the airport stop on Princes Street and at St Andrew Square, and Lothian buses run along Princes Street all day.
The gardens slope, and some paths are steep, so allow extra time with a buggy or wheelchair. For tickets, event times and accessibility details, see the official Edinburgh’s Christmas page.
Luggage storage near the Edinburgh Christmas Market
Lots of visitors arrive at Waverley in the morning and can’t check in until the afternoon, or have a late train after Hogmanay. The market paths are narrow and crowded, so a suitcase is a pain to wheel around. Radical Storage partners in the city centre will hold your bags while you explore. You can find luggage storage near Princes Street Gardens and book online in a couple of minutes.
Each bag is protected up to €10,000, cancellation is free, and Radical Storage has 16.5K+ locations in 2.3K+ cities, rated 4.8/5 by travellers.
Tips for your visit
- Weekday mornings are the calmest time. Weekend evenings in December are packed.
- Dress for wind and rain. December in Edinburgh is usually only a few degrees above freezing.
- Book hotels early if you’re staying over New Year, when prices go up.
Edinburgh Christmas Market FAQ
It runs from Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027 in East Princes Street Gardens, closed on Christmas Day.
Usually 10am to 10pm. Hours are shorter on Christmas Eve, 26 December, 31 December, 1 January and the final day, 3 January.
No. The market is free to enter. You need tickets for rides such as the Big Wheel and Starflyer, and for the Polar Ice Bar.
Yes. It is open on 31 December from 10am to 5pm and on 1 January from 12pm to 8pm, then stays open until 3 January.
Edinburgh Waverley. The market is a few minutes’ walk from the Princes Street exit.
Yes. Radical Storage has partner locations in central Edinburgh, close to Waverley and Princes Street. Book online and each bag is protected up to €10,000.