Christmas in Edinburgh 2009
Xmas Event Details and Ticket Prices
Updated January 2010
Christmas calendar of events
Christmas celebrations in Edinburgh last for nearly a month. Below is a calendar of the most important events:
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Thursday 26th November 2009
- Christmas Lights Night starts at 5.15pm when all of the festive lights in Edinburgh get switched on by the Lord Provost in Princes Street Gardens and Edinburgh's Christmas is officially launched.
- Traditional German Christmas Market, Winter Wonderland and the Edinburgh Wheel are all officially launched at the same time.
- Norwegian Carol Concert in St Giles Cathedral starts at 7.30pm.
Sunday 29th November 2009
- A 40 minute Carol Concert and Blessing Service of the Nativity Scene in St Andrew's Square Gardens at 4pm.
Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th December 2009 (Santa Weekend)
- West Princes Street Gardens Opening with Santa himself opening the Reindeer Gardens on Saturday at 10am. The Reindeer Gardens will be open daily 10am - 6pm until Christmas Eve. Daily visits from Santa 1pm and 4pm from 13 December.
- Great Scottish Santa Run competition starts at 11am on Sunday in West Princes Street Gardens and lasts 3 hours. Costs £10 adults/£5 children (includes Santa suit/elf hat and medal to keep). Join the Santa Run online.
Christmas events and attractions tickets
Most festivities taking place at Christmas in Edinburgh are free with only a handful of attractions and events requiring a ticket.
Below is a list of events taking place in Edinburgh as part of the 2009 Christmas celebrations:
Light Night Switch On
Free event, no ticket required. All of Edinburgh's Christmas decorations get switched on during this ceremony of music and light. Other switch on events in St Andrews Square, George Street and Leith also do not require tickets.
Traditional German Christmas Market
Free attraction, no ticket required but make sure you have enough cash with you to indulge in the fabulous food and drink.
Winter Wonderland
Tickets required for renting skates:
Adults: £8
Children: £7
Family ticket: £28
Admission to the Winter Wonderland ice rink with own skates is:
Adults: £7
Children: £6
Tickets can be purchased on site from the Ice Rink Box Office in East Princes Street Gardens.
Christmas Carousels and Rides
Tickets required for riding on the Winter Wonderland carousels. Prices vary.
The Edinburgh Wheel
Tickets required for riding on the wheel. One ride on the Christmas Wheel costs £3.50 (£5 on 31st December - 2nd January). Tickets can be purchased on site from the ticket booth in East Princes Street Gardens.
Santa Weekend and West Princes Street Gardens opening
Free event, no ticket required.
The Santa Express
Tickets required. One train ride costs £2 adults/£1.5 children.
The Great Scottish Santa Run
Tickets required. Admission prices to the Gardens for the Run:
Adults: £10
Children: £5
Santa's Reindeer Garden
Free attraction, no ticket required.
Norwegian Carol Concert
Free event, no ticket required.
Nativity Carol Service
Free event, no ticket required.
Contact details
Christmas in Edinburgh
Tel: +44 0131 529 3914 (general information)
Official website: Edinburgh's Christmas
The Great Scottish Santa Run
Official website: The Santa Run
Printed Christmas brochures
You can find brochures and leaflets with all Christmas events in Edinburgh in the Tourist Information Centre in Princes Street. Two such brochures are illustrated on the right.
>> Back to Edinburgh Christmas guide index
All Edinburgh Christmas articles:
Christmas Lights Switch On - Information on the switching of the Christmas Lights in Edinburgh's City Centre.
Edinburgh's Winter Wonderland - Info and pictures on Britain's largest outdoor Christmas festivities.
Traditional German Christmas market - What to see and buy in the traditional German market in Scotland's Capital.
Other Christmas events - Description on other events taking place around Christmas time in Edinburgh including the famous Great Scottish Santa Run.
Christmas Hotel Breaks with Christmas Day Lunch - Comparison of the best Edinburgh hotels for Christmas breaks.
Getting to Edinburgh for Christmas and New Year - How to get tickets for cheap flights, bus and train travel to Edinburgh for Xmas and Hogmanay.
Photos of Christmas in Edinburgh - Picture gallery with Christmas photos from Edinburgh's winter festival celebrations.
Calendar of Christmas Events in Edinburgh - Full listings for Christmas activities, tickets, dates and times.
Edinburgh Christmas Web links - Links to other web pages related to Christmas in Edinburgh.
Also see:
Edinburgh Military Tattoo - Information on Edinburgh's most popular summer event, part of the Capital's International festival taking place each August.
Edinburgh Hogmanay - Guide to the biggest New Year celebrations in Britain and continental Europe with four days of events.
Accommodation in Edinburgh - Tourist information on quality accommodation schemes, hotels and how to choose accommodation in Edinburgh.
Hotels in Edinburgh - Visitor information on choosing hotel accommodation in Edinburgh.
