Things To Do in Edinburgh in Winter – A Complete Guide to Visiting Edinburgh in Winter
Edinburgh, the cosy Scottish capital, is a magical place and so is the winter season here. The Scottish believe in the saying- ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing’, and we aren’t denying it. Just like the capital has a medieval Old Town and an elegant Georgian New Town with gardens and neoclassical buildings, balancing out the new and old. Similarly, the entrance of winter here does that too!
As the arrival of winter changes the whole lifestyle here, there are a few things that seem to brighten up the mood.
The city gets covered in a beautiful white blanket of snow and the Christmas lights come up making the night much more beautiful than they always do as per usual. Things seem to take a festive mood and your visit to Edinburgh in the winter season will only help you elevate your trip.
Things To Do In Edinburgh In Winter
Where to stay in Edinburgh
Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets
Christmas Lights
Edinburgh Hogmanay party
Ice Skating
Pantomime
Hop and Shop
Before you leave for Edinburgh
Where to Stay in Edinburgh
There is a wide range of accommodations available in Edinburgh, so you will not be short on options. Here are our top suggestions for the best places to stay in Edinburgh for any budget.
Luxury – Sitting less than 500m from one of Edinburgh’s main stations, Edinburgh Haymarket, the Leonardo Royal hotel is a fantastic choice if you would like a bit of luxury. The spacious and comfortable rooms at this city-centre hotel are complete with a large TV, tea and coffee facilities and work away.
Book your stay at the Leonardo Royal Haymarket here.
Mid-Range – For a more reasonably priced stay in the city of Edinburgh, without crimping on comfort, the Haymarket Hub Hotel is the best choice for you. This comfortable and central hotel is just a 15-minute walk from sights such as the Edinburgh Castle and the Royal Mile.
Book your stay at the Haymarket Hub Hotel here.
Budget – For those wishing to make the most of their time out in Edinburgh and don’t plan on staying long inside the accommodation itself, the High Street Hostel is your best choice. The building that hosts this hostel dates back to 1564 and sits right on a high street just off the Royal Mile.
Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets
As you visit Edinburgh in winter, you will come across a lot of festive decorations and will definitely feel the festive vibes. Celebrated in a grand manner, Christmas’ arrival always means the setup of Christmas Markets that attract many people, every year.
Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets can be easily spotted at Princes Street Gardens and are one of the highlights of the celebrations. Rides, shops, food and much more can be found here. Among some of the traditional Christmas Market highlights, you’ll also find things like mulled Irn Bru and vegan pigs in blankets!
You’ll also find wonderful gifts including can also find Harry Potter-themed gifts and local handmade produce. The crowd really gets into the festive feel, you can’t beat the Christmas Markets in Edinburgh!
Christmas Lights
Edinburgh in winter is definitely a winter wonderland and to support this beauty, you can spot the amazing Christmas lights spread across the city. There are many but the one that stands out will always be at the Royal Botanic Gardens.
Every year, the city experiences a different yet special Christmas celebration with glorious decorations. The Light Switch-ons have been known to happen in some areas from November itself, so if you are planning to visit Edinburgh in December, you can expect the city to be brightly lit up!
Usually, the light-up sessions are ticketed and this year, tickets for the event at Royal Botanic Gardens ranges between £21.50 for an adult ticket and £15 for a child ticket. Whereas, tickets for the Castle of Light: A Kingdom of Colours event at Edinburgh Castle are around £20 for an adult ticket and £12 for a kid's ticket.
Edinburgh Hogmanay party
A place where the world comes to party is probably the Edinburgh Hogmanay party. Hogmanay is the Scottish word for New Year’s Eve and the people of Edinburgh believe in partying out until the last.
Welcoming the new year in a new way, the concept of such a party was warmly welcomed by the people of Scotland. Tickets for this event sell out quite early and so be quick when getting your tickets. This party was first introduced in 1993 and since then, has evolved as one of the biggest celebrations in the world.
Traditionally, Hogmanay is celebrated as 1 day but the Edinburgh Hogmanay Party lasts for 3 days. It is not just celebrated in Edinburgh, but also in different regions in Scotland.
Being here and attending this party is a must. This definitely makes it to your list of things to do in December in Edinburgh or things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas.
Ice Skating
With the arrival of winter in Edinburgh, the city gets ready to skate its way out on to the famous ice rinks in the city. Often, the idea of ice skating draws an image of a trippy, falling-down person resembling a wobbly-kneed foal attempting to walk for the first time. Or, if you are a pro, breaking into a pirouette or sliding into impressive shapes makes its way to your mind.
But, be it a pro or an amateur, Edinburgh gladly showcases some of its best ice rinks and gets them prepared just for your arrival. Some of the famous ice rinks in Edinburgh are St Andrew Square, Murrayfield Ice Rink, and Princes Street Gardens Ice Rink. some are old and some are new additions, but they do fulfil their purpose excellently.
Be a kid again and skate your way here as this is one of the best things to do in Edinburgh in Winter.
Pantomime
If you are wondering what the best things to do in Edinburgh in winter are, then being a spectator at a Pantomime in Edinburgh is a great choice. This is one of the most romantic things to do in Edinburgh. A crucial part of the New Year celebrations, the Pantomime have been here for a long time.
Pantomime is a type of musical comedy stage production designed for family entertainment. It was designed by the English and is still performed throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland and other English-speaking countries.
Every year, this version of the celebration attracts the locals a lot and the celebrations usually take place during the year-end and continue until the start of the next one.
Hop and Shop
One of the essential must-be-done activities while you stay in Edinburgh, is to hop and shop. The shopping experience here will not only welcome you to a different world full of festive vibes but also help you to make the most.
During the festive season, many shops offer a discount and it is the best time to utilise the opportunity. Another reason why shopping should be on your things to do in December in Edinburgh list is that your experience will be different than any other time of the year. The lights and decorations make it visually aesthetic and much more fun!
So when in Edinburgh, enjoy the best version of winter here!
So there you have it, your guide to visiting Edinburgh in winter. If you are visiting this incredible city and have any other questions on what to expect, leave us a comment down below. We love to chat about this stuff! If you have already been, let us know how it was! Did you get to visit the castle? Did you manage the trip without getting caught in the rain? Let us know in the comments below!
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