10 Things To Do In Edinburgh At Christmas | Get Upto 40% Off
Activity
Activities

Activities To Do In Edinburgh At Christmas

1. Ice Skating at George Street
2. Enjoy the Christmas illumination in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden
3. Walk up Calton Hill
5. Come upon Royal Yacht Britannia
6. Walk On The Pentland Hills
7. Explore the Edinburgh Christmas Markets
8. Visit The Dome
9. Enjoy a Christmas concert at the Cathedral
10.  Dazzle with the giant lantern show at Edinburgh Zoo

You will find loads of things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas if you select this beautiful city, the hilly capital of Scotland as your winter holiday destination. During this time the streets are laced with vibrant Christmas markets, and everywhere you go, you will feel the festivity in the air with the tantalizing aroma of traditional delicacies and others, filling the air. Visit the Dome to grab a drink under the bar-to-ceiling tree in The Grill Room to follow the city’s tradition or go for a Christmas Concert at St Giles' Cathedral to lose yourself to the melody of music.

During Christmas, you will find various parts of the city illuminated with vibrant colors. To enjoy a breathtaking view, visit the illuminated Botanical Garden, and lantern show at Zoo, or take a look at the festive decorations on the five captivating decks on the Royal Yacht Britannia.

Here are some of the best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas:

Image description
Bigger Group? Get special offers upto 50% off!
We create unforgettable adventures, customised for your group.
Connect with a group tour expert
Full Name
Email
Phone number
Travel Date
Traveller Count
Message
Explore All (40)
01

Come Upon Royal Yacht Britannia

  • Get a majestic experience by taking a tour of the Royal Yacht Britannia, the former royal yacht of the British monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. 
  • One of the most popular things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas, the tour on this royal yacht will enchant you while you explore the sea home of the royals and feel awe-struck looking at the festive decorations on the five captivating decks. 
  • Take a look at the Queen's favorite room and also the drawing room that can hold a celebration for more than 250 guests. 
  • Learn about the royal history during your tour.
Location:  The Royal Yacht Britannia, Ocean Dr, Leith, Edinburgh EH6 6JJ, United Kingdom.

Timing: 9:30 am - 4 pm

Entry Fee: Adult: £18.00 per person; Child: £9.00 per child between age of 5 to 17 years; Child Under 5 years: Free

Best Offers Only On:  Royal Yacht Britannia Tickets

Recommended Read: Things To Do In Edinburgh
02

Dazzle With The Giant Lantern Show At Edinburgh Zoo

  • One of the things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas is to visit the Edinburgh Zoo where the amazing The Giant Lanterns of China show has returned. 
  • Escape into a world of fantasy and folktales and embark on an exciting journey through ancient Chinese legends and Scottish myths, and watch astounding creatures such as unicorns, kelpies, Loch Ness Monster, etc. come to life. 
  • Feel spellbound as you watch over 450 beautifully crafted lanterns lightening a magical trail for you as you walk into the zoo. 
Location: 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS Scotland

Timing: 16th November to 17th February: 10 am- 4 pm(Closed on Christmas)
 
Entry Fee: Adult: £19.95 per person; Child (3-15 yrs): £ 12.50

Checkout And Book: Edinburgh Zoo Tickets

Suggested Read: Things To Do In Edinburgh With Kids
03

Ice Skating At George Street

  • One of the best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas is to go Ice Skating on George Street, which has been a part of the Christmas celebration for twenty years now. 
  • You can go to George Street and try skating on the alpine-style ice rink, which is open to kids and adults. 
  • Even those in a wheelchair can have their share of fun skating in this rink. 
  • Reach the large portion of George Street that is between Charlotte Square and Castle Street and enjoy skating through the long and winding arena indulging in one of the most popular Christmas things to do in Edinburgh.
Location: 115-141 George Street; Postcode EH2 Edinburgh Area New Town

Timing: Monday to Friday: 12.30pm to 9.15pm; Saturday & Sunday: 10.15am to 9.15pm.

Entry Fee: £9.50  per adult; £24 for a family of 4 with 2 adults

Recommended Read: Things To Do In Birmingham
04

Enjoy The Christmas Illumination In The Edinburgh Botanic Garden

  • If you are on your winter holidays between November 25 to January 2, one of the things to do in Edinburgh in December is to enjoy Christmas at the Botanics. 
  • The Botanic Garden is captivating to look at, whenever you visit, but during Christmas time the illuminations make it even more breathtaking, making visiting it one of the must things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas. 
  • The entire garden becomes magical with sparkling tunnels of light, with reflections dancing in the water and trees illuminated in jewel-like color. 
  • Walk into the tunnels of light and pause in front of the flickering flames in the fire garden.
Location: Edinburgh Botanic Garden, Arboretum Place

Timing: 4.15 pm - 8.00 pm

Entry Fee: Adult: £20 per person; Children: £14 per person, Carers and Infants: free.
05

Walk Up Calton Hill

  • If festive seasons and decorations hold a special attraction for you, one of the best Christmas things to do in Edinburgh is to take a look at the magical view of the city being illuminated with festive lights and decorations. 
  • You can walk up Calton Hill to reach one of the highest points near the city center of Edinburg, close to Princess Street to get a view of the amazing city.
  • Be prepared to add some more enjoyment to one of the popular Christmas things to do in Edinburgh as you get to see snow on the hills. 
Location: Calton Hill Edinburgh, United Kingdom

Know More: Places To Visit In Manchester
06

Hike Arthur’s Seat

  • Those on the lookout for adventurous things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas can enjoy a hike up the Arthur's Seat's rocky summit towers over Edinburgh. 
  • Located in Edinburgh's vast Holyrood Park, Arthur’s Seat is a popular destination with hiking and cycling enthusiasts as an amazing outdoor experience. 
  • Go for the hike and once you reach the top, enjoy the captivating view of the entire city along with its parklands, all decorated with Christmas festivities. 
  • If you are visiting during the winter, this adventure activity must be a part of your list of things to do in Edinburgh in December.
 Location: Arthur's Seat, Edinburgh, Scotland

Check This Out: Things To Do In Glasgow
07

Walk On The Pentland Hills

  • Adventure seekers might include a walk on the Pentland Hills to be one of the exciting things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas. 
  • The outdoor adventure will appeal to people of all ages, so you have the option to take your family along or go on a friend’s outing. 
  • You can access many of the walks of the hills with rolling tops and reddish scree slopes by public transport and then carry on your exploration of the place on foot. 
  • As you progress through the woodland paths and spectacular reservoirs, you will be able to get a view of the edge of the Highlands to the north and also Lothians along with its Border hills in the southwest.
Location: Pentland Hills Regional Park, Hermitage of Braid, 69a Braid Road, Edinburgh, EH10 6JF

Also Checkout: Places To Visit In Aberdeen
08

Explore The Edinburgh Christmas Markets

  • One of the exciting things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas to get into the holiday spirit is to explore the vibrant Christmas markets. 
  • You can start off at the top of the East Princes Street Gardens and explore the entire market stretching over East Princes Street Gardens and George Street. 
  • Indulge in Christmas shopping and stroll by strollers selling festive nick-nacks, handmade decorations, warm cashmere scarves etc. 
  • Stopping by to try some of the traditional European holiday delicacies such as schnitzel, German bratwurst, and others and sipping in mulled wine, hot cider or hot chocolate is one of the must Christmas things to do in Edinburgh. 
  • Children can have their share of fun at Santa Land and enjoy rides and entertainment.
Location:  Santa Land, East Princes Street Gardens.

Timing: November 19 –January 3: 10 am to 10 pm every day.

Recommended Read: Beaches Near Cardiff
09

Visit The Dome

  • One of the traditional things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas is to visit The Dome and grab a cocktail under the bar-to-ceiling tree in The Grill Room. 
  • Known to be one of the most iconic landmarks of Edinburgh, the Dome will enchant you with its interior decor of Graeco-Roman façade pillars, Marble bars and palms. 
  • Visit one of its rooms designated for fine dining, light lunches or teas and feel the festive season as you feast on a delicious meal. 
  • Head towards the bar to enjoy a cocktail, beer or wine and feel tantalized at the Christmas scent filling the bar. 
 Location: 14 George St, Edinburgh EH2 2PF, United Kingdom

Timing: Monday - Sunday: Club Room from 10 am; Georgian Tea Room from 12 pm; Grill Room from 12 pm. Closes at 12 am.

Also Read: Things To Do In London
10

Enjoy A Christmas Concert At The Cathedral

  • Feel the magic of Christmas as you attend a Christmas concert at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh.
  • An evening spent listening to classical music in the beautiful candlelit settings of the church is sure to make you feel enchanted, which makes it one of the best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas. 
  • Watch the outstanding musicians of Piccadilly perform the epic Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Christmas and feel drifted away with the sound of music as you listen to Chopin and Corelli. 
Location:St Giles' Cathedral,High Street,Edinburgh,EH1 1RE,Scotland

Timing: Concert: Wednesday 14th December 2022 to 7:30 PM 
Opening Hours: Monday – Friday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm; Saturday 9:00 am- 5:00 pm; Sunday 1:00pm-5.00pm

Entry Fee: Starts from £19

Know More: Monuments In London

People Also Ask About Edinburgh

  1. What are the best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas?

    1. Stroll into the Edinburgh Christmas Markets: The true spirit of Christmas can be felt once you visit the Christmas markets, which stretch across the East Princes Street Gardens and George Street. Shopping for Christmas nick nacks and enjoying some traditional European Christmas delicacies at these markets is one of the exciting things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas. 

    2. Attend a Christmas concert at the Cathedral: Let the classical music of Chopin, Corelli and the epic Vivaldi's Four Seasons at Christmas feel your heart with the magic of Christmas as you attend the Christmas concert at St Giles Cathedral, Edinburgh. Feel mesmerized as you listen to the music played by musicians of the Piccadilly. 

    3. Grab a drink at The Dome: It’s traditional to grab a cocktail under the bar-to-ceiling tree in the Grill Room during Christmas at the Dome, so you must join the locals in this Christmas celebration. As you enter the beautifully decorated rooms with Graeco-Roman façade pillars, you will be able to enjoy the Christmas fragrance in the air inside the place.

    4. Watch Christmas illumination in the Edinburgh Botanic Garden: A visit to the Edinburgh Botanic Garden will leave you feeling enchanted. During this season, the entire garden becomes magical with trees illuminated with lights and light reflections dancing in the water. Take a walk through the magic with sparkling tunnels of light as you stroll across the Botanics.

    Read More: Places To Visit Near Edinburgh
  2. What are the best adventurous activities to do in Edinburgh?

    1. Visit The Pentland Hills: One of the exciting Christmas things to do in Edinburgh is to go on a walk on one of the woodland paths of the Pentland Hills. You can make it a family or a friend’s outing and enjoy the breathtaking view of the surroundings. Apart from walking, you will also be able to enjoy fishing, cycling, boating and more.

    2. Hike Arthur’s Seat: Hikers can spend their Christmas time going on an enjoyable hike up Arthur's Seat's rocky summit towers and enjoy the stunning view of the entire city decorated in Christmas festivities. Needless to say, this is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas. 

    3. Walk up Calton Hill: Enjoy your Christmas Days by taking a walk up Calton Hill to take a look at the magical view of the city of Edinburg, being dressed up to join the Christmas celebrations. Feel elated as you reach the top and find white snow in some areas of the hills.

    4. Go Ice Skating: One of the fun Christmas things to do in Edinburgh is to go for an ice skating experience on George Street where a large portion of George Street between Charlotte Square and Castle Street has been converted into a long and winding skating arena. Enjoy skating in the alpine-style ice rink and make it a part of your Christmas celebration.

    Do Checkout: Things To Do In Edinburgh This Weekend
  3. How many days do you need in Edinburgh?

    You will be able to cover most of the popular attractions of Edinburgh within 3 days. An ideal three-day itinerary would be as follows:

    Day 1: Upper Old Town: This area is located in the heart of the city and is the place where you will find most of the historic attractions starting with the castle. 

    Day 2: Lower Old Town: Explore the Royal Mile starting from the High Street section of Old Town and visit the Palace of Holyroodhouse and other museums. Walk in the Holyrood Park up Arthur’s Seat and enjoy the view of the Scottish Parliament. 

    Day 3: The New Town And Leith: Visit the New Town and head down to Leith. Explore places such as the Scottish National Gallery, Princes Street Gardens, Royal Botanical Garden and others.

    Suggested ReadFun Things To Do In London At Night
  4. What is special about Edinburgh?

    The city of Edinburg is known to be one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Considered the world’s best festival city, Edinburgh has much on offer in the fields of art, literary art, culture, comedy and others. The city has a wealth of top attractions which include UNESCO World Heritage sites, historic attractions, etc. Its rich history and enchanting backdrop of Pentland Hills, Arthur's Seat, and Edinburgh's Waterfront make it a remarkable holiday destination.

    Also ReadPlace To Visit Near London
  5. What are the other attractions and activities in London you can book via thrillophilia?

Newly Added Edinburgh Experience

Edinburgh Top Attractions

Places To Visit In Edinburgh
Excellent
I booked this tour for my family as there were old aged people it needed to be a bit lenient. and it was absolutely what we asked for the members were supportive as well as the team members were cooperative enough. Thanks for making this a memorable trip.
Love the whiskey trail. Trust me no hangover.
Great experience. Had lot of fun
Amazing experience. Learn't a lot about Scottish whisky.

Popular Nearby Places Around Edinburgh

Popular Related Destinations

Places to Visit in India

Places to Visit in Delhi Places to Visit in Goa Places to Visit in Pune Places to Visit in Bangalore Places to Visit in Mumbai Places to Visit in Hyderabad Places to Visit in Jaipur Places to Visit in Chennai Places to Visit in Kolkata Places to Visit in Ladakh Places to Visit in Spiti Places to Visit in Andaman Places to Visit in Arunachal Pradesh Places to Visit in North East Places to Visit in Sikkim Places to Visit in Darjeeling Places to Visit in Meghalaya Places to Visit in Gangtok Places to Visit in Rajasthan Places to Visit in Uttarakhand Places to Visit in Kerala Places to Visit in Karnataka Places to Visit in Maharashtra Places To Visit In Himachal Pradesh Places to Visit in Madhya Pradesh Places to Visit in Kashmir Places to Visit in Manali Places to Visit in Dharamshala Places to Visit in Shimla Places to Visit in Mcleodganj Places to Visit in Nainital Places to Visit in Mussoorie Places to Visit in Dehradun Places to Visit in Rishikesh Places To Visit In Jammu Places to Visit in Srinagar Places to Visit in Chikmagalur Places to Visit in Munnar Places to Visit in Kodaikanal Places to Visit in Ooty Places to Visit in Pondicherry Places to Visit in Wayanad Places to Visit in Coorg Places to Visit in Mysore Places to Visit in Lonavala Places to Visit in Alibaug Places To Visit In Mahabaleshwar Places to Visit in Udaipur Places to Visit in Jodhpur Places to Visit in Jaisalmer Places to Visit in Mount Abu Places to Visit in Agra Places To Visit In South Goa Places To Visit In North Goa
Currency Picker
Commonly Used Currencies
INR -
Indian Rupee
USD - $
United States Dollar
EUR -
Euro
SGD - $
Singapore Dollar
AUD - $
Australian Dollar
GBP - £
British Pound
AED - د.إ
United Arab Emirates Dirham
All Other Currencies
ALL - L
Albanian Lek
AMD - դր.
Armenian Dram
ARS - $
Argentine Peso
AWG - ƒ
Aruban Florin
BBD - $
Barbadian Dollar
BDT -
Bangladeshi Taka
BMD - $
Bermudian Dollar
BND - $
Brunei Dollar
BOB - Bs.
Bolivian Boliviano
BSD - $
Bahamian Dollar
BWP - P
Botswana Pula
BZD - $
Belize Dollar
CAD - $
Canadian Dollar
CHF - CHF
Swiss Franc
CNY - ¥
Chinese Renminbi Yuan
COP - $
Colombian Peso
CRC -
Costa Rican Colón
CZK -
Czech Koruna
DKK - kr.
Danish Krone
DOP - $
Dominican Peso
DZD - د.ج
Algerian Dinar
EGP - ج.م
Egyptian Pound
ETB - Br
Ethiopian Birr
FJD - $
Fijian Dollar
GHS -
Ghanaian Cedi
GIP - £
Gibraltar Pound
GMD - D
Gambian Dalasi
GTQ - Q
Guatemalan Quetzal
GYD - $
Guyanese Dollar
HKD - $
Hong Kong Dollar
HNL - L
Honduran Lempira
HRK - kn
Croatian Kuna
HTG - G
Haitian Gourde
HUF - Ft
Hungarian Forint
IDR - Rp
Indonesian Rupiah
ILS -
Israeli New Sheqel
JMD - $
Jamaican Dollar
KES - KSh
Kenyan Shilling
KGS - som
Kyrgyzstani Som
KHR -
Cambodian Riel
KYD - $
Cayman Islands Dollar
KZT -
Kazakhstani Tenge
LAK -
Lao Kip
LBP - ل.ل
Lebanese Pound
LKR -
Sri Lankan Rupee
LRD - $
Liberian Dollar
LSL - L
Lesotho Loti
MAD - د.م.
Moroccan Dirham
MDL - L
Moldovan Leu
MKD - ден
Macedonian Denar
MMK - K
Myanmar Kyat
MNT -
Mongolian Tögrög
MOP - P
Macanese Pataca
MUR -
Mauritian Rupee
MVR - MVR
Maldivian Rufiyaa
MWK - MK
Malawian Kwacha
MXN - $
Mexican Peso
MYR - RM
Malaysian Ringgit
NAD - $
Namibian Dollar
NIO - C$
Nicaraguan Córdoba
NOK - kr
Norwegian Krone
NPR - Rs.
Nepalese Rupee
NZD - $
New Zealand Dollar
PEN - S/
Peruvian Sol
PGK - K
Papua New Guinean Kina
PHP -
Philippine Peso
PKR -
Pakistani Rupee
QAR - ر.ق
Qatari Riyal
RUB -
Russian Ruble
SAR - ر.س
Saudi Riyal
SCR -
Seychellois Rupee
SEK - kr
Swedish Krona
SLL - Le
Sierra Leonean Leone
SOS - Sh
Somali Shilling
SVC -
Salvadoran Colón
SZL - E
Swazi Lilangeni
THB - ฿
Thai Baht
TTD - $
Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
TZS - Sh
Tanzanian Shilling
UYU - $U
Uruguayan Peso
UZS - so'm
Uzbekistan Som
YER -
Yemeni Rial
ZAR - R
South African Rand
JPY - ¥
Japanese Yen
VND -
Vietnamese dong