Yule Have A Great Time: Christmas in Edinburgh

Christmas Classics

Christmas isn’t Christmas without a trip to Scotland’s capital and its iconic festive venues. There’s the Christmas Market at Princes Street Gardens with artisanal festive food from local makers, while the Big Wheel offers unique views of the city’s winter skyline. George Street is home to the magnificent Alpine ice rink ‘Lidl on Ice’, and every year, the Norwegian county of Hordaland donates a Christmas tree to the city – find it on The Mound.

If the kids want to meet Santa, Edinburgh Zoo has you covered. The zoo, celebrating its centenary on Corstorphine Hill next year, hosts a festive grotto throughout December. Mr Claus is a busy guy this month – you can also meet Santa at Ocean Terminal in Leith, have breakfast with Santa at Cold Town House in the Grassmarket, meet Santa and his elves at their workshop at Craigie’s Farm near South Queensferry, and at Santa Land in West Princes Street Gardens, take your four-legged friends along too for a special Santa’s Paws event. Alternatively, visit the Reindeer Flying school, explore the magical forest and visit Mrs Claus’ kitchen at Conifox Adventure Park. 

For more ideas on where to see Santa this Christmas, visit edinburgh.org/blog/santa's-grottos-in-edinburgh/

Christmas on a Budget

Christmas memories don’t have to come with a big price tag. Why not grab a coffee from The Milkman on Cockburn Street, and head for a cosy walk up the historic Royal Mile. Alternatively, stroll up Calton Hill, pop in to the free exhibitions at the Collective gallery in the former City Observatory, then take a look at the city lights from one of Edinburgh’s best vantage points.

Edinburgh’s incredible architecture takes on a new dimension at Christmas, and a walk around town with your camera is a great, free way to soak up the festive atmosphere. Castle of Light returns to illuminate Edinburgh Castle while over in Inverleith, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s Christmas light show ‘Christmas at the Botanics’ features more than one million lights. For a magical evening stroll, take a walk from Victoria Street, with its incredibly instagrammable shops and charming Christmas decorations, up to the light-covered Teviot House at Bristo Square.

Something Special

For a Christmas treat, Leith’s Fingal – a former lighthouse ship converted into Scotland’s only luxury floating hotel, and recently crowned one of the UK’s best five-star hotels – is an ideal candidate. Berthed close to the Royal Yacht Britannia, it is packed with art deco details and luxurious touches, and a spectacular five-course afternoon tea. In the New Town, take your pick from a pair of legendary hotels – the Balmoral at the east end of Princes Street, and the winter wonder decor at the Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh – The Caledonian to the west.

In terms of a special Christmas vibe, they don’t come much more special than The Dome. The 19th century New Town building, built on the site of the old Physicians’ Hall, goes all out every year. The Georgian columns are wrapped in fairy lights, an enormous Christmas tree stands in the foyer, and the entire space is decked out in lights and decorations.

For more festive afternoon tea ideas, visit edinburgh.org/blog/enjoy-a-festive-afternoon-tea-in-edinburgh/

Accessible Christmas

This year, there are a host of accessible opportunities to get involved with Edinburgh’s festivities. George Street’s ice rink will host relaxed sessions with lowered sound levels and no flashing lights, while the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh will host an accessible night for their light show on 7 Dec. The evening will begin at twilight, offering a smoother transition into the event. Castle of Light host a range of accessible experiences on 8 Dec – there’s an audio tour for visually impaired, a BSL tour and an autism accessible tour.

For more information on Edinburgh's accessible experiences this Christmas, visit www.edinburgh.org/blog/inclusivechristmas

Festive Films and Theatre

The Cameo Cinema in Tollcross is one of the city’s most storied venues, having operated as a cinema for over a century. The cinema’s Christmas programme is appropriately eclectic – there are screenings of classics like It’s A Wonderful Life, and festive alternatives such as Die Hard and Gremlins. For an unforgettable Christmas evening, head along for the Cameo’s Holiday Horror- A-Thon on 10 Dec – it’s an all-night run of Christmas horror movies. A less hair-raising night can be found with classic screenings at the Scotsman Picturehouse across December.

For a festive treat, visit the Festival Theatre in Newington for Scottish Ballet’s adaptation of The Snow Queen which runs until 10 Dec. Alternatively, the Lyceum presents An Edinburgh Christmas Carol throughout December – an adaptation of Charles Dickens’ classic with a distinct Edinburgh twist. Rather fittingly, the Lyceum itself is said to be haunted by Ellen Terry, an actor who appeared in the theatre’s very first show. Family- friendly fare can be found around the corner at Traverse, with the magical new show Once Upon A Snowstorm from 9-23 Dec.

For more information on shows in Edinburgh this season, visit edinburgh.org/blog/shows-coming-to-edinburgh-this-christmas/

In With The New

Once Christmas is over, the city centre is taken over by Hogmanay fever. Sophie-Ellis Bextor gets things started with the family-friendly The Night Afore Disco Party in West Princes Street Gardens on 30 December, before the world-famous Street Party returns to Princes Street on 31 December with tens of thousands of revellers in the shadow of the Castle. The Gardens also host a Hogmanay Concert In The Gardens headlined by Pet Shop Boys. Elsewhere, there’s an early celebration at Usher Hall courtesy of the Scottish Fiddle Orchestra (30 Dec), a Hogmanay Snow Ball Ceilidh at Assembly Rooms, and the annual Hogmanay party at Summerhall, the former site of Edinburgh University’s veterinary school. The festivities round up New Year’s Day’s Final Fling in Princes Street Gardens, featuring Tide Lines, Elephant Sessions and Hamish Hawk.

For more details on Edinburgh's Hogmanay celebrations, visit edinburgh.org/blog/celebrate-hogmanay-in-edinburgh

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For more places to go and things to do in Edinburgh this Christmas, head to edinburgh.org/storyneverends/edinburgh-sparkles