Christmas in Edinburgh

Practical Tourist Information

Christmas calendar of events

Christmas celebrations in Edinburgh last for nearly a month. Below is a calendar of the most important events:

Thursday 24th November 2005

• Christmas Light Night starts at 5pm when all festive lights in Edinburgh get switched on by the Lord Provost in Princes Street Gardens and Capital Christmas is officially launched.
• Traditional German Christmas Market, Winter Wonderland and the Edinburgh Wheel are all officially launched at the same time.
• Norwegian Advent Concert in St Giles Cathedral starts at 7.30pm.

Sunday 27th November 2005

• A 45 minute Carol Concert and Blessing Service of the Nativity Scene in West Princes Street Gardens at 4pm.

Saturday 10 and Sunday 11 December 2005 (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.
• Great Scottish Santa Run competition starts at 11am on Sunday in West Princes Street Gardens and lasts 3 hours.
• Santa Comes to Town by paying a flying visit to Edinburgh's Festival Square. Events kick off on the Sunday at 4.30pm.
• Carols in Edinburgh Castle's Great Hall from the Gael Force choir.

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 2005 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: £7
Children: £6
Family ticket: £22

Admission to the Winter Wonderland ice rink with own skates is:
Adults: £6
Children: £5

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 £2.50. 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 £1.

The Great Scottish Santa Run
Tickets required. Admission prices to the Gardens for the Run:
Adults: £10
Children: £5

Contestants in the Santa Run must raise sponsorship. In order to join call the Santa Run Hotline at +44 0115 978 1500.

Santa's Reindeer Garden
Free attraction, no ticket required.

Norwegian Advent 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
Tel: +44 0115 978 1500 (hotline)
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