Castle of Light
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
The Castle of Light: Fire and Ice
21 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Taking place from late November to early January, The Castle of Light returns to Scotland's most popular attraction to light up your winter nights and dazzle the whole family with extraordinary light displays across Edinburgh Castle’s walls.
Torchlight Procession
29 December 2025
The much-loved Torchlight Procession returns for 2025, kickstarting the city’s renowned Hogmanay celebrations on 29 December. Beginning at the Meadows, the procession will weave its way through the historic Old Town where the streets will come to life with street theatre and fire performers, pipe bands, drummers and the Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad.
A couple browse the stalls at Edinburgh's Christmas markets
© VisitScotland / Peter Dibdin
East Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market
15 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
Edinburgh is the UK’s crown jewel of the festive season, combining its world-renowned Christmas market with spectacular Hogmanay celebrations. Now in its fifth year under Unique Assembly, the event fills East Princes Street Gardens with stalls from Scottish and European crafters, artists and independent retailers. Visitors can enjoy the Big Wheel, festive food and drink, and Santa’s Stories in St Andrew Square, where children meet Santa, hear tales of giving and send letters to the North Pole. The festivities continue with the Torchlight Procession on 29 December 2025, featuring fire performers, bagpipers and drummers as it winds from the Meadows through the Old Town.
West Princes Street Gardens Family Funfair
15 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
West Princes Street Gardens will be a free to enter family-friendly zone this year. Complete with funfair rides and attractions, as well as festive food and drink stalls and numerous warming zones where you can cosy up with a delicious hot chocolate or seasonal mulled wine. You can also enjoy the Ross Bandstand which boasts a festive programme of family-friendly live events, including live choirs, shows and performances.
George Street West & Castle Street
15 November 2025 – 4 January 2026
George Street will be home to the spectacular Edinburgh’s Christmas Ice Rink, a vital part of any Christmas visit. This year’s rink will be undercover, allowing visitors to enjoy the majestic Georgian skyline of Edinburgh’s New Town from the ice. Once you've skated your way around the rink, warm up with a hot drink or treat from food stalls in the George Street warming zone. Why not hop on one of the traditional fairground rides, including a double carousel, or wander through the Festive Workshops including wreath-making, Christmas decorations or ice carving, or get those last minute christmas gift from Edinburgh’s shopping scene. This year will also introduce The Polar Ice Bar - the coolest place in the capital to enjoy a festive beverage. Make sure you wrap up warm!
Hogmanay fireworks
© VisitScotland / Kenny Lam
Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party
On 31 December, the party begins at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party. Get ready to dance the night away into the wee small hours at the Concert in the Gardens where you’ll see some of the biggest artists take centre-stage, headlined this year by Texas.