Pre-Christmas events in Edinburgh are based round Princes Street Gardens, transformed for December to a self-declared Winter Wonderland. Most of the attractions are open every day: shop at the Christmas markets, take a spin round the Christmas wheel, or try out the old-style fairground rides. Down in the valley, there's an open-air skating rink and. And as the big day nears, Father Christmas himself makes regular visits, ready to pick up that all-important mail.
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 German market until 24 December. Highland market until 4 January, except Christmas Day. 10am – 8pm (10pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 6pm Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve)
Princes Street Gardens, base of The Mound Free admission. Just turn up! At the base of the Mound, next to the Royal Scottish Academy, you'll find Edinburgh's two traditional Christmas Markets. One's a genuine import from Germany; the other's from the Highlands here at home, and both offer a mix of unusual gifts and truly irresistible food. The German market, in particular, is a great place to gather for mulled wine and tasty hot treats on a chilly winter night. |
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 Until 4 January, except Christmas Day. 10am – 10pm daily (6pm Christmas Eve, New Year's Eve; 8pm Boxing Day). See below for exceptions.
Princes Street Gardens, near the Scott Monument Prices vary, see details below Still in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh's self-styled Winter Wonderland offers a chance to leave behind the Playstation and rediscover the fun of the fair. The star attraction, gloriously dwarfing the Scott Monument, is a 35-metre Ferris wheel; other highlights include an old-time carousel and the hysterically bouncy Bungy Snowdome. |
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Until 4 January, closed Christmas Day. 10am - 8pm Sunday - Wednesday; 10am - 10pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday. Early closing at 6pm New Year's Eve, 8pm New Year's Day. Last session begins one hour before closing. Princes Street Gardens, below the Scott Monument £8.50 adult / £7.50 under 16 / £5 under 7. See below for discounts. In the bottom of the Princes Street valley, the open-air Skating Rink is one of Edinburgh's most popular Christmas attractions. Morning, noon or night, and in (almost) any weather, you'll see a few souls out on the ice whirling round to the music... which, mercifully, isn't always drawn from the Christmas catalogue. |
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The following events have finished for 2010, but they'll be back in Edinburgh come December 2011. |
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Sat 4 and Sun 5 Dec at 3pm, then daily 11 - 23 Dec at 4pm. Special events on Sundays from 12 Dec at 4pm. The National Galleries, The Mound See Santa for free - just turn up. Sunday events £5. Confound those fools who don't believe in Father Christmas, by catching sight of the big man on his regular trips to the Gardens. Santa visits daily at 11am and 4pm, to collect mail from the Highland Market and the skating rink - bring a letter to post beforehand, and you'll see him pick it up from his special post box. |
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Sunday 12 December, 11am (participant registration from 9am) Princes Street Gardens, starts at Ross Bandstand Free to watch; £10 (adults) / £5 (under 12) to enter. Details below. It's brilliant, it's bonkers and of course, it's for charity. It's the Great Scottish Santa Run, which will see thousands of red-suited Father Christmas impersonators jog, trot or stroll their way around Princes Street Gardens - all on a mission to make poorly children's wishes come true. |
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Christmas 
