Tag: winter festival plans

Magic of Christmas set to make Edinburgh sparkle this Winter

Winter Festivals

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  • Edinburgh’s Christmas returns to bring joy this winter from Saturday 15 November to Sunday 4 January
  • Family favourites set to return including Santa Stories, Ice Skating, LNER Big Wheel, Around the World Starflyer and the Family Festive Funfair
  • Traditional Christmas Markets return to East Princes Street Gardens – organisers open Trader Applications and call for local traders to join the festivities
  • Local EH Resident Discount returns to spread extra Christmas cheer across the city
  • Tickets go on sale from July – register to receive 48hours advance access and discounts.

Edinburgh started to unwrap its annual Christmas present on Friday, with the announcement of this year’s festive celebration dates and a first hint of what to expect this year.

Festivities in the capital will start from Saturday 15 November 2025, running over New Year and through to Sunday 4 January 2026, Edinburgh’s city centre will be aglow with festive wonder, as this year’s hugely varied programme of festive favourites and fresh winter wonderlands really does have something for everyone.

East Princes Street Gardens sees the return of the Traditional Christmas Market, where a multitude of market stall holders offer locally made crafts from twinkly wooden cabins. Whether visitors fancy strawberries and marshmallows dipped in chocolate, mulled wine or big bratwurst sausages, the food and drink stalls placed throughout the market cater for all tastes.

Last year three quarters of the Christmas Market was made up of local and Scottish traders selling everything from hand-made Christmas Ornaments to delicious festive fare. Organisers have opened applications for this year already seeing a strong return interest but have put out a call encouraging more local businesses and independent retailers to take the opportunity to showcase the best of our arts, crafts and artisan produce.

Organisers work closely with traders to ensure a successful winter season supporting the local economy. Find out more information here.

Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “This year Edinburgh’s Christmas looks set to light up the city centre once again with an exciting programme of events for everyone to enjoy.

“I’m really pleased that the Edinburgh community will be a focus too, with discounted tickets, offers for local groups and fund-raising for local charities taking place. The Capital truly is a magical place to be at this time of year and there’s so much on offer throughout the city.”

Lawrence Thorburn, owner of Edinburgh’s Nutcracker Christmas Shop said: “As local business owners, we are thrilled to see the return of Edinburgh’s Christmas Market this winter.

“We have already submitted an application for what will be our 12th season at the Edinburgh’s Christmas Market. As a local, family business, with permanent premises in the city we welcome the opportunity to showcase our products and provide Christmas gifts to such a large audience.

“Working with Unique Assembly over the past three years, we have seen the Market go from strength to strength and we are keen to return, looking forward to welcoming locals and visitors from around the world.

“The event has become imperative for our small family business and our team look forward to taking part each year.”

For those with a head for heights, a trip on the LNER  Big Wheel or the 80M Around the World Star Flyer offer incredible views of the city. Of course, for those who prefer to be at ground level, other rides will be available and a trip on the Helter-Skelter is always a family favourite.

Edinburgh’s Christmas will also be welcoming families back to West Princes Street Gardens and organisers look forward to revealing more about the programme of free festive community events and family funfair rides in the coming weeks.

Other favourites returning this year include the very popular opportunity to meet the man himself and his elves at Santa’s Stories. Children will also be able to write that all important letter to the big man and drop it straight into the Santa Post-box. And for budding Dancing on Ice stars and those who just want to have a wobble, the return of the outdoor ice rink will be welcome news.

Each year Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals brings festive cheer across the city. In 2025 the EH Residents Discount will return, offering locals over 100,000 tickets at a 20% discount for the ice-rink, Santa Stories and fairground rides, helping locals to enjoy that little bit more this Christmas.

Edinburgh’s Christmas will once again be working with local community groups to give away thousands of tickets for fairground rides, ice-skating and Santa Stories and looking to raise donations for city charities through tickets and donation points across Edinburgh’s Christmas.  More information regarding this year’s charities will be announced in due course.

Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions are open daily except Christmas Day, with varying opening dates and times available at the official website.

Register now to receive updates, be the first to hear when tickets are about to go on sale, and access a limited opening ticket discount by signing up here – www.edinburghwinterfestivals.com

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas is always a highlight of the year within our city centre. The attractions welcome thousands of residents and visitors to enjoy the most magical time of the year.

“With Edinburgh’s city centre home to high class retail and hospitality businesses to suit everyone’s tastes, this Christmas promises to be another fantastic time to visit and enjoy the best of Edinburgh.”

Unique Assembly, producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas said: “We are thrilled to share this year’s dates for Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations, with a seven-week programme packed full of family favourites, plus new events and attractions to be announced.

“This year’s event promises to be one of the best ever and we look forward to welcoming everyone to enjoy some sparkle as the nights close in.”

Councillors to discuss winter festival plans

Councillors will consider an alternative approach for delivering Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay this winter when they meet this week.

Last month initial discussions took place exploring potential revised plans for how both Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay could be celebrated in 2020, held by the Council All Party Oversight Group.

The proposals have since been developed and the Update on Edinburgh’s Christmas and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2020/2021 will be considered by the Policy and Sustainability Committee on Thursday (20 August).

The impact of the Covid-19 pandemic has meant that the Council, together with Underbelly, the producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, have had to adapt plans to meet public health guidelines while still delivering events to celebrate Christmas and Hogmanay.

Plans being developed will put Edinburgh’s residents and businesses first as the City celebrates the festive season in new ways including dispersing the Christmas market from the city centre, a carefully managed torchlit event which will thank key workers during the pandemic and marking Hogmanay with visually spectacular moments across the city.

If approved by Councillors, there will be further meetings for both events to refine plans and a full launch will take place later in the year.

Council Leader Adam McVey said: “It’s clear that this year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay have to change in light of Covid-19 restrictions. These are unprecedented conditions and any public health requirements and guidance will be met in every eventuality. The safety of the public remains our priority and no events or activities will go ahead unless it is deemed safe for them to do so.

“I feel positive that we’ve found a safe way to celebrate Christmas at the end of what has been a challenging and for many, a life-changing year. By adapting this year’s event we’ll be able to keep numbers lower in each location while also spreading people further out to help support local businesses.

“If events are able to go ahead, they will not only be safe but also reflect the comments and feedback from residents on how Christmas and Hogmanay looks and feels in Edinburgh – with a strong emphasis on local year-round business and moving away from using green space to use hardstanding locations.”

Depute Leader Cammy Day said: “Whilst Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay will look very different from recent years, I know the exciting plans being considered will continue to show Edinburgh as the best place to enjoy the Christmas festivities and welcome in our New Year celebrations.

“I would like to thank the teams involved for their work so far and if the approach is approved, we will continue to work together with Underbelly and partners to develop these further and hold some amazing events for all the family where we can celebrate Christmas and Hogmanay. Everyone involved recognises the uncertainty of the situation and we are all committed to meeting the significant requirements for anything Edinburgh hosts to meet appropriate public health guidance.”

Charlie Wood, Director of Underbelly, said: “We have enjoyed working collaboratively to ensure Edinburgh Council’s vision for the Winter Festivals can become a reality. Working together, our absolute priority is public safety and our aim for both events is to put Edinburgh first.

“Once agreed by the council, we are confident these will be events the city will be proud of, which will support the community and preserve the city’s global status as a destination for Christmas and Hogmanay. We are very excited about the events and look forward to sharing the programme once the Council has reached its decision.”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Like all events, Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay is having to adapt to operating in a new norm. The City of Edinburgh Council and Underbelly are developing a programme that maintains the spirit and reputation Hogmanay and Christmas in the city while adhering to Scottish Government guidelines.

“Events are an important part of our communities as they not only bring us great entertainment, they also sustain livelihoods and bring social and economic change. We look forward to working with the City of Edinburgh Council and Underbelly to develop plans for this year’s event.”