Edinburgh Christmas Market (with kids)
How Kids-Friendly is Edinburgh Christmas Market?
What makes it 87% Kids-Friendly: Children up to 12 can meet Santa, ride a carousel, and skate on George Street, and free bandstand shows add value, but pay-per-ride costs rise quickly for larger families.
Positives:
- Free entry: Entry to the market is free and opens daily, making spontaneous visits easy.
- Central location: Located in East and West Princes Street Gardens, near city center hotels and buses.
- Family-friendly amenities: Plenty of seating, baby-change facilities, and pram ramps at major site points.
Challenges:
- Crowds: Peak weekends can get crowded; kids may feel overwhelmed during busy evenings.
- Weather: Open-air stalls and rides expose you to wind and rain; pack waterproofs and hats.
- Queues and wait times: Popular rides have lines; pre-book tickets and use early slots to skip queues.
What is Edinburgh Christmas Market?
- A seasonal open-air market that occupies East and West Princes Street Gardens at the base of Edinburgh Castle
- An assemblage of over seventy festively adorned wooden chalets that house Scottish crafts, seasonal foods and holiday decorations
- A temporary winter village that blends decorative lighting, traditional fairground rides and purpose-built festive structures
What is so special about Edinburgh Christmas Market for with kids?
- Browse over 70 wooden chalets for handmade crafts and unique gifts.
- Ride the carousel, Big Wheel, and ice rink designed for kids.
- Meet Santa in a story session with included gifts.
- Sample street foods and warm drinks from kid-friendly stalls.
- Enjoy free family funfair entertainment and live performances.
Recommended visit duration: 2-3 hours
Why 2-3 hours visit duration is ideal for with kids: Enough time to enjoy key rides, Santa’s Stories, and browse stalls without tiring children.
Kids-Friendly Activities in Edinburgh Christmas Market
Santa’s Stories at St Andrew Square:
Listen to Santa’s tale in a 20-minute session and collect a small gift.
Tip: Book tickets early online to secure a family time slot.
Carousel and fairground games:
Ride the ornamented carousel and try game stalls in West Princes Street Gardens.
Tip: Bring coins (£3–£5 per ride) and head here before dusk for shorter queues.
George Street Ice Rink:
Skate under festive lights on an outdoor rink with family-friendly support.
Tip: Book a 30-minute slot in advance and rent child-sized skates and helmets on site.
LNER Big Wheel:
Enjoy panoramic city views from enclosed pods on the 46m-high wheel.
Tip: Opt for the £40 family ticket to ride together and book in advance.
Local street food sampling:
Try bratwurst, mini pancakes, and kids’ hot chocolate from market stalls.
Tip: Share snacks and look for indoor bench areas to warm up.
How to Make the Most of Your Visit to Edinburgh Christmas Market
- Advance booking: Buy skating and ride tickets online to guarantee time slots and avoid on-site lines.
- Off-peak visits: Visit weekdays from 2-4pm for shorter queues and a quieter atmosphere.
- Light viewing: Plan to arrive 30 minutes before dusk to catch the transition from daylight to festive lights.
Reviews of Edinburgh Christmas Market
PolarisBee
What a winter wonderland. Beautiful lights a music, great atmosphere. The food can be a bit expensive and the crowd levels are abit high sometimes but the layout is easier to navigate then last year
Brett Mills
Great location, great atmosphere, all kinds of stalls not the same handful constantly repeated like Manchester however the pricing is just as bad, would definitely go again. If you visit Edinburgh before 6pm be aware that parking is horrendous and extortionate, on street was going to cost close to £30 for 3 hours! So save yourself a fortune and use the park and ride!
MARIO
Edinburgh Christmas Market spacious, lively… but missing a bit of Christmas magic. The market is undeniably spacious and full of energy, with plenty of charming stalls that are well stocked and genuinely pleasant to browse. As always in Edinburgh at this time of year, there’s a lot of people it’s part of the tradition now, almost as iconic as the mulled wine. But I have to say: it didn’t feel as C...
Dave Boyer
The Edinburgh Christmas Market is one of those enchanting things that you are happy to experience, at least once in your life. There are rides, if you want to go on rides. There are merchant shops, if you want to look at gifts from local artisans. There are a LOT of different food and drink kiosks that will appeal to every member of the family. When the sun goes down and the market lights up for ...
Mark Parsons
What a fantastic Christmas vibe. We visited from Dublin Nov 2025. Absolutely loved the Markets. Excellent food choices . Bit pricey but thats to be expected at markets like this. Also some great photo opportunities. My wife who is a christmas freak thought they were the best Christmas Market she'd ever visited. Whoever decided on the one way system should get an award. Really helps with the feelin...
When is the best time to visit Edinburgh Christmas Market (Edinburgh, United Kingdom)?
Market runs late Nov to early Jan. Visit midweek afternoons for smaller crowds. Temperatures hover around 5°C; wear waterproof coat and layers. Arrive by 4pm to see lights turn on.
Explore These Activities
Typical Budget for a Family of 4 (2 Adults + 2 Kids)
| Item | Cost (Approx.) |
|---|---|
| Santa’s Stories tickets (2 kids) | GBP 14 |
| Carousel rides (4 rides) | GBP 16 |
| Ice rink session (2 adults + 2 kids) | GBP 48 |
| Big Wheel family ticket | GBP 40 |
| Street food snacks | GBP 40 |
| Total Estimated | GBP 158 |
Note: All prices are indicative and may vary. Please check directly with the venue for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
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Map of Edinburgh Christmas Market
Address: Princes St., Edinburgh EH2 2HG, UK
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About Edinburgh Christmas Market
Opening Hours
Hours may vary during holidays, special events, and peak seasons. Please check the official website for the most up-to-date information.
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