Christmas Markets in Scotland 2026: Edinburgh's Christmas, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Winter Walks (Official Dates)

Can you imagine a Christmas market with a castle on the hill above it? In Edinburgh, that is exactly what you get. The wooden stalls fill Princes Street Gardens, the Big Wheel turns next to the Scott Monument, and the castle glows above it all. But is Edinburgh the only Christmas market in Scotland worth the trip? And which dates and hours are confirmed for 2026?

We have been to Scotland a few times, mostly for hiking, canoeing and road trips. However, we haven't been at Christmas yet. So I've checked the official 2026 dates, opening hours and prices for you, and added some winter walks to balance all that mulled wine.

Dates and opening times checked on official sites in November 2026.

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Quick answer

• Edinburgh's Christmas: 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The market in East Princes Street Gardens is open 10 am to 10 pm on most days and closed on Christmas Day.
• Big Wheel: the LNER Big Wheel tickets start from £12 (as of 2026).
• Aberdeen Christmas Village: 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 on Broad Street. It is free to enter.
• Glasgow: the 2026 programme had not been published when I checked. The Riverside Christmas Market is on 28 and 29 November 2026.
• Getting there: LNER runs from London King's Cross to Edinburgh, and the Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from London Euston.

Dates at a glance

Opening times are subject to change, so please check the official channels before you go.

Edinburgh's Christmas

Edinburgh's Christmas runs from Saturday 14 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. It is spread over a few spots in the city centre, all within walking distance of Waverley station.

East Princes Street Gardens: the market

This is the heart of it. The market stalls sit in the gardens below Princes Street, right next to the Scott Monument. It is open every day from 10 am to 10 pm, with these exceptions:

• Christmas Eve: 10 am to 8 pm
• Christmas Day: closed
• Boxing Day: 12 noon to 8 pm
• Hogmanay (31 December): 10 am to 5 pm
• New Year's Day: 12 noon to 8 pm

The LNER Big Wheel is here too. It runs from 10 am to 10 pm, with last admission at 9:30 pm, and tickets start from £12 (as of 2026). Family tickets cover four people. If you live in an EH postcode, you get 20% off standard tickets on the official website. The Around the World Star Flyer is another ticketed ride, and the views over the Old Town from the top must be amazing.

West Princes Street Gardens and George Street

The fairground rides are in West Princes Street Gardens, below the castle. The hours vary through the season. From 19 December they are usually open from 12 noon to 9 pm. On George Street, The Coorie Inn is open from 19 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, from 12 pm until late.

Programme highlights

• Family Ice Experience: from 21 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with sessions from 12 pm.
• Santa's Stories: from 20 November to 24 December 2026, from 3 pm. Book tickets in advance.
• Polar Ice Bar (18+): from 19 November 2026 to 2 January 2027, from 4 pm.
• La Clique Noël: a cabaret and circus show at Bristo Square, from 20 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, at 7:30 pm.
• Christmas Tree Maze and community concerts at the Ross Bandstand.

You might have heard of the Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle. I couldn't find it on the official sites for 2026, so don't count on it.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay starts as Christmas ends, with its own programme of events. See my Hogmanay and New Year's Eve guide for the Torchlight Procession, Street Party and tickets.

Glasgow

Glasgow usually has Christmas markets in the city centre, including St Enoch Square. However, when I checked, Visit Glasgow said it was still "putting the finishing touches" to the 2026 programme. Some guides say George Square won't host a market this year because of redevelopment work. So please wait for the official listings before you book.

What is confirmed is the Riverside Christmas Market at the Riverside Museum on Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November 2026. The museum sits on the River Clyde, and it is a great place for kids, with old trams, cars and bikes.

Day trip idea: trains run from Glasgow to Balloch on Loch Lomond. We hired a canoe in Balloch for an hour and walked up Duncryne Hill nearby. It gives probably the best view of the loch for minimal effort. Read more in my things to do at Loch Lomond guide.

Aberdeen Christmas Village

Aberdeen's Christmas Village is on Broad Street in the city centre, from Thursday 12 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027. It is open every day except Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year's Day. Entry is free, and you pay for the rides. In 2026 the "Freak Out" thrill ride is back, with extra market stalls and a new food vendor.

Around the village there is more to see:

• Curated in the Square: a market in Marischal Square.
• Christmas Parade: on 15 November 2026.
• Nativity scene: at Union Terrace Gardens.
• Carol concerts: at the David Welch Winter Gardens on 12 December 2026.

Inverness and Stirling

Both cities have festive events, but I couldn't find official 2026 dates for a Christmas market in Inverness or Stirling. Check the Highland Council and Stirling Council event pages closer to December. Inverness is a good base for a winter Highlands trip, and the Caledonian Sleeper runs there from London.

What to eat, drink and buy

• Shortbread: the famous Scottish butter biscuit, perfect as a gift.
• Tablet: a crumbly Scottish sweet made with sugar, butter and condensed milk. It is very sweet, so share it!
• Scotch pie: a small, round pie filled with minced meat. Great on a cold day.
• Mulled wine and hot chocolate: the market classics.
• Whisky: some stalls sell local whisky and gin, which make good gifts.

For gifts, look for tartan scarves, wool knitwear, Harris Tweed and handmade jewellery. I couldn't find any official mug deposit prices for 2026, so bring your own cup if you can.

Winter walks near the markets

In Edinburgh, Arthur's Seat is the classic. It is an old volcano in Holyrood Park, at the bottom of the Royal Mile. We haven't climbed it yet, but I've written a full guide. Calton Hill is a much shorter climb from Princes Street, with views over the city and the castle. Go early in the day, as it gets dark before 4 pm in late December.

If you want to see more of Scotland, my Scotland hiking and road trip guide covers our favourite hikes, from Skye to Suilven. In winter, the mountains need proper experience and kit, so stick to low-level walks unless you know what you are doing.

Practical tips

Getting there from England

The train is the sustainable way to go, and it drops you right in the city centre. LNER runs from London King's Cross to Edinburgh Waverley. Avanti West Coast runs from London Euston to Glasgow Central. The Caledonian Sleeper runs overnight from London Euston to Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness. So you can wake up in Scotland and go straight to the market!

Over Christmas, check your train carefully. National Rail says there are no trains at all on Christmas Day 2026. On Boxing Day most train companies don't run, but ScotRail runs a limited service on some routes. Many trains also finish early on Christmas Eve and Hogmanay.

Best time to visit

Weekdays in late November and early December are the quietest. Saturdays in December are the busiest. At the Big Wheel, the evening queues are longer, but the lights look best after dark.

Cash, toilets, pushchairs and dogs

• Payment: cards are widely accepted, but take a little cash too.
• Toilets: Waverley station and the shopping centres on Princes Street are close by.
• Pushchairs: Edinburgh is hilly, with lots of steps between the Old Town and the New Town. A baby carrier is often easier.
• Accessibility: Edinburgh's Christmas has an access page on its website.
• Dogs: the market gets very crowded, so I would leave dogs at home on busy evenings.

Scotland in December is cold and windy. If you bring a little one in the pushchair, a warm footmuff is a must. We use the Out n About one on our Nipper.

A weekend budget

Browsing the markets costs nothing. A Big Wheel ride starts from £12 per person (as of 2026). My rough estimate for food and drink at the stalls is £20 to £30 per person per day. Book your train early, as advance fares are much cheaper. Edinburgh hotels get busy in December, especially around Hogmanay, so book well ahead.

For more festive trips, see my guides to Christmas markets in England and Wales and Northern Ireland.

FAQ

When is the Edinburgh Christmas market 2026?

Edinburgh's Christmas runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The market in East Princes Street Gardens is usually open from 10 am to 10 pm.

Is Edinburgh's Christmas market open on Christmas Day?

No, it is closed on 25 December. On Christmas Eve it closes at 8 pm, and on Boxing Day it opens from 12 noon to 8 pm.

How much is the Edinburgh Big Wheel?

Tickets for the LNER Big Wheel start from £12 (as of 2026). Family tickets cover four people, with a maximum of two adults.

Does Glasgow have a Christmas market in 2026?

The Riverside Christmas Market is confirmed for 28 and 29 November 2026. The city centre programme had not been published when I checked, so look at Visit Glasgow for updates.

Have you been to Edinburgh at Christmas? Let me know in the comments!