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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 Until 4 January, closed Christmas Day. 10am - 10pm daily (see below for exceptions)
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 (10pm Thursday to Saturday). Early closing at 8pm Christmas Eve and Boxing Day; 6pm New Year's Eve; 8pm New Year's Day. Last session begins one hour before closing. £9 adult / £8 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 2008, but they'll be back in Edinburgh come December 2009. |
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German market until 24 December. Highland market until 4 January. 10am - 8pm (10pm Thursday, Friday and Saturday) Princes Street Gardens. See details below 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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13 to 23 December. See the reindeer any time, see Santa at 1pm and 4pm 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. |
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Sunday 30 November, 10:30am Princes Street Gardens, the Floral Clock Free and non-ticketed. Just turn up! Donations requested. Though it's by no means the first carol concert to hit Edinburgh, for many the annual nativity service is when the Christmas season really begins. Each year on Advent Sunday, city-dwellers gather near the floral clock on Princes Street to enjoy family-favourite carols and welcome the arrival of Edinburgh's nativity scene. |
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Christmas and Hogmanay 
