25 Things to Do for Christmas in Edinburgh, Scotland 2024

Edinburgh, the enchanting capital of Scotland, transforms into a winter wonderland each December, making it one of the most magical places to celebrate Christmas. With its festive lights, charming markets, and rich cultural traditions, there's no shortage of activities to fill your days and nights during the Christmas season. This article will explore 25 exciting things to do for Christmas in Edinburgh, Scotland in 2024, making your holiday experience unforgettable.

Hogmanay is a renowned New Year celebration in Scotland, and during Christmas in Edinburgh, the excitement builds as the city prepares for one of the world’s largest Hogmanay events. Held on Princes Street, the four-day celebration starts with a torchlight procession, live music, and a spectacular fireworks display. On New Year's Eve, the famous Scottish band Texas headlines the Concert in the Gardens, offering a memorable end to the Christmas in Edinburgh festivities.

St. Andrew's Day, celebrated on November 30, kicks off the festive season in Edinburgh. Honoring Scotland's patron saint, the day features traditional Scottish music, ceilidh dances, and storytelling. Many museums and historic sites offer free or discounted entry, perfect for exploring the city. Visitors can enjoy traditional Scottish dishes like haggis in local restaurants and pubs, immersing in the festive atmosphere during Christmas in Edinburgh. Light displays and fireworks add to the excitement, building anticipation for the Christmas season.

The Scottish Storytelling Centre's Christmas Events offer a unique and immersive way to experience Scotland's rich storytelling tradition during the festive season. Throughout December, the center hosts a variety of performances, workshops, and storytelling sessions that bring to life traditional Scottish Christmas tales, folklore, and legends. These events are perfect for families and those looking to connect with Scotland's cultural heritage. From heartwarming stories to festive workshops, each event offers a cozy and magical atmosphere, making it a delightful addition to your Christmas in Edinburgh, Scotland.

The Christmas Light Show at the Royal Botanic Garden, known as "Christmas at the Botanics," is a must-see during Christmas in Edinburgh. This magical event features beautiful light displays, including flower-inspired installations, lantern-adorned branches, a light cathedral, and stunning projections on Inverleith House. Highlights include the Mycelium Network, bringing the world of fungi to life with colorful lights, and Neon Strings, which create geometric light patterns among the trees. Running from November 21 to December 30, tickets are £16 for members, £19 for adults, and £13.50 for children, with free entry for caregivers and young children.

Put on your pajamas and hop aboard the Polar Express for a trip "to the North Pole." The train leaves from and returns to Edinburgh Waverley during this hour-long journey (allow for 90 minutes to two hours total for the entire experience). This interactive theater event, a highlight of Christmas in Edinburgh, showcases beloved characters from the Polar Express performing scenes in the aisles. Enjoy singing, dancing, hot chocolate, cookies, and a visit from Santa Claus, who distributes silver sleigh bells to those who believe. Available on select dates from Friday, November 29 to Monday, December 23.

Ticket prices: £35, plus a booking fee of £3.95.

Christmas in Edinburgh lights up the city's festive pub scene. Historic pubs like The Sheep Heid Inn and The Royal Mile Tavern are decorated with holiday lights and offer cozy settings to relax after sightseeing. Enjoy traditional Scottish dishes like haggis alongside Christmas-themed drinks like mulled wine or festive gin cocktails. Some pubs also offer Scottish whisky tastings, live music, and Christmas-themed events, adding to the festive atmosphere. Experience the warmth and cheer of Christmas in Edinburgh with good food, drinks, and holiday spirit.

Christmas in Edinburgh is celebrated with a festive afternoon tea at Edinburgh Castle, offering a delicious menu of seasonal treats like pigs in blankets, roast turkey sandwiches, and traditional mince pies. Local suppliers, such as Upper Carbarns Farm, are featured in this Scottish-themed meal. Desserts include dark chocolate and clementine sponge cakes, and scones with clotted cream. A glass of Prosecco is included. Running from December 2 to January 5, tickets are £54 per person, including castle entry. Advance reservations are recommended for this special Christmas in Edinburgh experience.

Put on your skates and take a nostalgic journey this season as you immerse yourself in the magic of Christmas in Edinburgh. You'll discover an amazing indoor ice rink on West George St, conveniently located between Castle Street and Charlotte Square, perfect for enjoying the festive spirit of the Edinburgh Christmas holidays! If skating wears you out, you can relax with a mulled wine or visit the artisan fair. The entry fee covers the cost of renting skates, and you will be given a designated time slot to make the most of your Christmas in Edinburgh experience.

Put on an apron and register for one of the annual Christmas Baking Days at Edinburgh New Town Cookery School to master the art of creating delicious holiday treats. You'll prepare your own mincemeat and pastry, bake a chocolate-infused Christmas cake, and make the beloved German treat, stollen, along with pear, pecan, and cranberry muffins and cinnamon shortbread stars that celebrate Christmas in Edinburgh. The class takes place on two dates: Saturday, December 7, and Saturday, December 12, from 9:45 am to 3:30 pm, costing £185. Additionally, you can enroll in a Gluten Free Christmas Baking day on Saturday, December 14.

To enjoy a stunning panoramic view of Edinburgh, hop on the Forth 1 Big Wheel. You'll have a distinctive perspective of the city's skyline and the Christmas festival from any of the 36 enclosed, weather-resistant pods. It's advisable to purchase tickets in advance to skip the lines. The tickets are valid for specific dates, but you can select any time slot you prefer between 10 am and 10 pm.

The Palace of Holyroodhouse is beautifully adorned with festive decorations, including seasonal plants and garlands hung around the fireplaces and staircases. Stroll through the exquisitely maintained State Apartments to the Great Gallery, where you can enjoy a glass of wine and mince pies while listening to choral music by the Robin Chapel Choir in front of the Christmas tree. The concerts will take place on Sunday, December 8, and Monday, December 9, with tickets priced at £25.

Numerous enthusiastic adults, children, and even dogs participate in the Santa Fun Run and Walk held in Princes Street Gardens each December. This 2.5 km event is accessible to all, and the funds generated support the charity 'When You Wish Upon a Star .' This organization focuses on fulfilling special wishes for children facing life-threatening illnesses. Participants must pay an entry fee, and adults are encouraged to raise at least £10 in sponsorship. The event is scheduled for Sunday, December 8, 2024.

Victoria Street is one of Edinburgh's most iconic and picturesque streets. With its colorful storefronts and charming cobblestone layout, this historic street is home to various independent boutiques, artisan shops, and specialty stores, making it the perfect place to find unique Christmas gifts. Whether you're looking for tartan scarves, Scottish shortbread, or beautiful whisky-themed gifts, you'll discover plenty of distinctive options that reflect Scotland's rich heritage. Many shops also offer festive packaging, making gift-giving easy and stylish.

Santa's Grotto in West Princes Street Gardens offers a magical experience for kids to meet Santa and receive a Christmas gift. Grottoes are also available across the city, including at Edinburgh Zoo. Tickets are £18 from December 1 to 24. 

The Scotsman Hotel will host a special Brunch with Santa on December 15, featuring a Christmas market buffet and gifts for children. Tickets are £30 for adults and £20 for children. Santa's Stories will take place in St Andrew Square from November 23 to Christmas Eve, with tickets priced at £6. Experience the magic of Christmas in Edinburgh with these festive events.

Get some popcorn ready for a showing of one of your beloved holiday movies. Timeless favorites like The Holiday (December 3), The Muppet Christmas Carol (December 4), and Love Actually (December 10) will be screened at Usher Hall, with a live orchestra playing the soundtrack.

🔔 Don't miss the Top 8 Scottish Christmas Movies Worth Watching in 2024 to have fun and warm moments with your family!

The Edinburgh Christmas Market is a must-visit during Christmas in Edinburgh, running from November 15, 2024, to January 4, 2025, across East and West Princes Street Gardens. The market features Scottish goods and a German Christmas market, offering a variety of crafts, gifts, food, and drinks. Visitors can enjoy mulled wine, spiced cider, or hot chocolate while exploring. The market is open daily from 10 am to 10 pm, except on Christmas Day.

The  Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle is a mesmerizing nighttime event that beautifully enhances the magic of  Christmas in Edinburgh. During this festive season, the iconic fortress is transformed into a dazzling spectacle of light and color, creating a breathtaking experience for all who visit. As part of  Christmas in Edinburgh, visitors can wander through the castle grounds, enjoying immersive light projections that illuminate the ancient walls, visually telling the story of Scotland's rich history stunningly. 

Nestled in the impressive gothic architecture of St Giles Cathedral, which will be adorned with thousands of candles, you can immerse yourself in the festive spirit of Christmas in Edinburgh by joining the cathedral choir in singing carols on Saturday, December 7. Alternatively, you can take a seat to enjoy the angelic harmonies of the female choir Songbirds as they present traditional and modern Christmas music from around the world on Sunday, December 8, a perfect addition to your Christmas in Edinburgh experience. The candlelight concert series at the Cathedral is back for another year; notable performances include Beethoven's evocative Moonlight Sonata, played by pianist Daniel Grimwood, followed by a Christmas Baroque program featuring Handel's Messiah and the Christmas Concertos by Torelli and Corelli on Friday, December 13. Additionally, a festive night will be dedicated to music from Christmas movies on Saturday, December 14.

Additionally, the Dome offers a delightful afternoon tea featuring seasonal sandwiches, freshly baked scones, festive pies, and an array of sweet treats.

Festive gin tasting is a popular holiday activity in Edinburgh, where the city's love for gin takes on a seasonal twist. Many local distilleries and bars offer special gin-tasting experiences during Christmas, featuring limited-edition festive flavors like spiced orange, cinnamon, and cranberry. At places like the Edinburgh Gin Distillery, you can enjoy guided tastings and learn about distillation while sampling these unique holiday blends. Some experiences also include tips on crafting your festive cocktails, making it a perfect activity for gin lovers looking to add seasonal cheer to their Christmas celebrations in Edinburgh.

Moss and Fern, a plant shop in Newington, is hosting evening workshops leading up to Christmas in Edinburgh, where participants can craft festive wreaths with pinecones, raffia bows, and pine branches. Enjoy sparkling wine and local snacks while you create. Workshops are on December 8, 10, and 15, with tickets priced at £65.27, available on Eventbrite. On December 12, florist Lottie Longman will lead a wreath-making session inspired by the Palace of Holyroodhouse decorations, with tickets priced at £60.

Christmas is truly festive with attending a Panto! The Pantomime is a classic British theatrical experience that everyone should witness at least once. In 2024, due to renovations, the King's Theatre will be closed, and the Panto will be hosted at the Festival Theatre once more. This year's production is "The Pantomime: Cinderella," featuring Allan Stewart, Grant Stott, and Jordan Young. Enjoy the classic rags-to-riches story as the evil stepsisters and cruel stepmother attempt to sabotage Cinderella's joy with Prince Charming. The performances will occur from Saturday, November 23, through Tuesday, December 31.

If pantomimes aren't your preference, there are many other alternatives! You can find various shows available that often have a holiday theme. In 2024, the Lyceum Theatre will host a festive version of "Treasure Island" from November 30, 2024, to January 4, 2025. Additionally, there is "Swamplesque," which is described as "an ogre-inspired burlesque and drag parody," taking place at the Assembly Rooms from December 5, 2024, to January 4, 2025.

From bustling Christmas markets to cozy pubs, Edinburgh offers a magical holiday experience for visitors of all ages. Whether you're looking for family-friendly activities, seasonal shows, or to soak up the festive atmosphere, Christmas in Edinburgh has it all during the holiday season 2024. Enjoy your Christmas adventure in Scotland's capital.

Merry Christmas!