Festival · Edinburgh · Christmas Markets 2026
Edinburgh's Christmas Market (East Princes Street Gardens): free entry days, tickets & hours
Independent guide, not the official Edinburgh Christmas Market website. Official links are under Sources.
Edinburgh Christmas Market is free to enter.
- Closed today — next open Saturday, 14 November 2026.
Before you go
How to actually get in for free
- On 17 November the market opens only at 16:00, and on New Year's Eve it closes at 17:00 ahead of Hogmanay.
- The Scott Monument rises right beside the stalls; the Big Wheel and the 80 m Starflyer give the best views of the castle.
- The family funfair and Santa's Stories are in West Princes Street Gardens, a short walk west along Princes Street.
- Weekday mornings are the quietest time - evenings and weekends get very crowded.
All free options
Who gets in free, and when
| Free option | Who | Conditions | Book? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Always freeFree entry to the Christmas market in East Princes Street Gardens | everyone | Market stalls, food and drink are paid; the LNER Big Wheel, Starflyer and other attractions need tickets. Closed on 25 December. | No |
Official prices
Edinburgh Christmas Market ticket prices
| LNER Big Wheel — Enclosed pods with views over the castle and Old Town | £12 |
Prices from the official website, checked Oct 2026. Free options are listed above.
Tickets & tours
Best-rated tickets and tours: Edinburgh Christmas Market
Guided tourEdinburgh: The Scotch Whisky Experience Tour and Tasting★★★★★ 4.7 · 7.0k reviews50 - 75 minutesfrom £25
Ticket & extrasEdinburgh: Glenfinnan Viaduct, Glencoe & Fort William★★★★★ 4.8 · 4.7k reviews12 hoursfrom £45
Guided tourEdinburgh: The Johnnie Walker Signature Experience★★★★★ 4.8 · 3.3k reviews1.5 hoursfrom £25
Guided tourEdinburgh: After-Dark Ghostly Night Walking Tour★★★★☆ 4.3 · 1.0k reviewsfrom £31
Timed-entry ticketEdinburgh Zoo Entrance Tickets★★★★★ 4.7 · 873 reviewsfrom £27.25
Guided tourCity Sightseeing: Edinburgh Hop-on Hop-off Bus Tour KIDS GO FREE Special Offer!★★★★★ 4.5 · 862 reviewsfrom £20
Ratings and prices from the booking partners; prices may change.
Practical
Opening hours & how to get there
| Mon | 10:00–22:00 |
|---|---|
| Tue | 10:00–22:00 |
| Wed | 10:00–22:00 |
| Thu | 10:00–22:00 |
| Fri | 10:00–22:00 |
| Sat | 10:00–22:00 |
| Sun | 10:00–22:00 |
Closed today (holiday or special closure).
14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, daily 10:00-22:00. Exceptions: 17 Nov 16:00-22:00; 24 Dec 10:00-20:00; 25 Dec closed; 26 Dec 12:00-20:00; 31 Dec 10:00-17:00; 1 Jan 12:00-20:00; 3 Jan 10:00-18:00.
East Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2HG, United Kingdom
Also free nearby
Make a free afternoon of it
Worth paying for nearby
Paid highlights within walking distance
- The NationalCatherine Opie: To Be Seen, full price incl. donation (until 1 Nov 2026)from £14 · 0.3 km
- St Giles' CathedralVisitor Ticket (16+, non-residents of Scotland)from £12 · 0.3 km
- National Museum of ScotlandRoman Scotland: Life on the Edge of Empire, adult advance (14 Nov 2026 - 18 Apr 2027)from £13.50 · 0.6 km
FAQ
Edinburgh Christmas Market: common questions
Is Edinburgh Christmas Market free?
Yes — Edinburgh Christmas Market is free to enter.
What are Edinburgh Christmas Market's opening hours?
14 Nov – 3 Jan: daily 10:00–22:00.
Visitor reviews
What visitors say about Edinburgh Christmas Market
No reviews yet. Been here? Tell others how it went — especially on a free day.
Write a review
Sources
Where this comes from
- edwinterfest.com/edinburgh-christmas/whats-on/traditional-christmas-markets · checked Wednesday, 28 October 2026
Every free rule is checked against the official source and re-checked on a schedule. Spotted a change? Tell us.