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 at the other end of Princes Street - later in the month - Father Christmas takes up residence near the fountain, along with his genuine reindeer.
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 German market 26 November – 24 December. Highland market 26 November – 4 January, except Christmas Day. 10am - 8pm (10pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday; 8pm Christmas Eve, New Year's Day; 6pm 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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 26 November – 4 January, except Christmas Day. 10am – 10pm daily (6pm New Year's Eve). 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 Bungydome. |
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Until 4 January, closed Christmas Day. 10am - 8pm Sunday - Wednesday; 10am - 10pm Thursday, Friday, Saturday, including Christmas Eve and Boxing Day. 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 £9.50 adult / £8.50 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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12 to 23 December. See the reindeer 10am - 6pm, see Santa at 1pm and 4pm (no visits from Santa on the 12th) Princes Street Gardens, near the fountain Free and non-ticketed. Just turn up! 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 1pm and 4pm, to feed his reindeer and collect his mail - bring a letter to post beforehand, and you'll see him pick it up from his special post box. |
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Sunday 13 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 
