Everything You Can do during Christmas In Edinburgh 2023
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Edinburgh is truly one of the most enchanting cities all year long and Christmas only makes it even more magical.
There are so many exciting events and places that you can visit that will make your Christmas SO much more festive. We don’t want you to miss out on anything, so we have made a list of everything that you can do during Christmas in Edinburgh.
Whether you are a student studying in Edinburgh or just stopping by, we have made sure that these events have something for everyone’s interest!
1. Visit The Christmas Markets
There is no better way to get into the Christmas spirit than visiting the Christmas Markets. The decorations, food, and lights get you into the holiday vibes like no other.
This year the Christmas markets start on the 17th of November and will last till January 6th of 2024. They will be spread across different locations like Princess Street, St Andrew Square, and George Street West. These Christmas markets will have several stalls with some of the best hand-crafted goods, rides, and attractions, and a variety of meals and drinks to choose from.
Click here to read the full guide to Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets this year.
2. Enjoy The Winter Light Trail
If you love some aesthetic pictures, then do not forget to visit the magical trail at the Botanics.
It is absolutely gorgeous with dazzling lights, brightly coloured pampas, sparkling tunnels of lights, and more that are botanically themed.
You can also pick out a festive snack like hot chocolate or marshmallows all while enjoying the beautiful trail of lights you are walking under.
It is open from November 16th till December 30th with limited capacity and timed entry. So make sure to book ahead of time so you don’t miss out on this magical experience.
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3. A Festive Meal At The Dome
If you are looking for something a bit more fancy, then the Dome has quite a few options. They have the grill room, the tea room, and the club room and have a specialized menu for each of them catered to the festive season. The decorations are truly show-stopping which is why they usually expect high demand around Christmas. We would recommend you book ahead of time to avoid disappointment.
Click here to read more.
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4. Go Ice Skating
George Street Ice Rink is back again this year to spice up the Christmas vibes. It starts on November 18th and lasts till January 6th giving you ample time to visit the rink during your winter break.
The tickets start from £5 which includes the skates as well. Make sure to come at least 20 minutes ahead of time so that there’s sufficient time for you to be able to get your skates on and start on time as well.
The layout of the rink is not complex so even if you have never tried ice skating before, don’t worry as there will be many others like you and you can skate at your own pace.
Click here to find more details and book the tickets.
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5. Experience The Christmas Pantos
You can experience the incredible shows put forward by world-famous pantomimes producer, Crossroad Pato and played by talented panto stars.
They have unique and exciting shows every year and this year is going to be Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan which will start showing on November 25th till December 31st.
Last year’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs was well received by the audience and we are sure that this year is going to be even better.
Click here to find more details and book tickets.
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6. Watch A Festive Show
Even if Pant is not your vibe, don’t worry as there are plenty of shows that still give you the festive experience that you can enjoy!
The Royal Lyceum Theatre has shows like The Snow Queen put together by skilled actors that you can enjoy. Click here to learn more details and book tickets.
Scottish Ballet is hosting Cinders till 10th February if you would like to watch a sparkling version of the fairytale. Click here to learn more.
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7. Festival of Kindness
In the Christmas spirit, why not make someone else who needs help feel special and loved? You can do that by partaking in the Festival of Kindness that is organised by Social Bite. Their mission is to distribute over 300,000 meals and gifts to people who are in need.
By donating 28 pounds you will be able to provide a homeless person with Christmas dinner, a gift, a pack of essentials, and a bed for the night.
You can donate and make someone else’s Christmas special! Click here to learn more.
8. Make A Dash For The Santa Fun Run
There are different Santa Fun Run Events for fundraising in different cities and Edinburgh is no exception. The best part is that it’s a Santa Fun Run AND Walk, so even if you are not a runner, just get into your Santa outfit and take a 2.5km walk from West Princes Street Gardens for a good cause.
All the funds that are raised from this event will go towards funding the wishes of children from the age of 4 to 16. So you not only get to run/walk in a Santa outfit but you also get to fulfill the wishes of many young children.
It starts at 11 am on 4th December. Click here to learn more.
As you can see, there are plenty of things to do for Christmas in Edinburgh.
Christmas in Edinburgh promises to be a truly magical experience, blending the city’s rich history and traditions with the enchantment of the holiday season. From the sparkling Christmas markets to magical light trails, the city offers a diverse tapestry of festive delights.
If you’re lucky enough to live and study, or just visit the stunning Scottish Capital, you’ll have loads to see and do around the festive season, whether with your university mates, for dates, or with family.
Let us know what your favourite thing to do around Edinburgh at Christmas is @prestigestudentliving.
