This month is a wonderful time to visit Edinburgh. Brilliant Christmas shopping, markets, ice-rinks, light-shows, fireworks and magic await you! Terrific festive entertainment for all the family...

The city centre comes alive with fantastic light shows, markets, ice skating and theatre - but there is so much more throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians. Archerfield produces a magical outdoor immersive theatre, see the Botanics as never before or explore Edinburgh Zoo's beautiful lanterns after dark.

• Castle of Light | Various dates Nov, Dec & January
• Christmas at the Botanics | 21st November - 30th December 2024
• Santa's Grotto at Dalkeith Country Park | 30th Nov - 24th Dec 2024
• Edinburgh's Christmas | 15th November 2024 - 4th January 2025
• Magicfest | 17th - 30th December 2024
• Edinburgh's Hogmanay | 30th & 31st December 2024

For beautiful festive shopping within fabulous settings head to the Christmas markets. Jupiter Artland and Hopetoun come highly recommended, explore the market mulled cider in hand while the children visit Father Christmas and Rudolph!

• Edinburgh Winter Markets | 15th November 2024 - 4th January 2025
• Christmas Fair at Jupiter Artland | 7th & 8th December 2024
• To explore our favourite local boutiques and some of the quieter attractions see our best independent Edinburgh shops and attractions or local larders articles.

• Cinderella | 23rd November - 31st December 2024
• Moonlight Sonata at Christmas by Candlelight | 2nd, 9th, 20th & 21st December 2024
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat | 3rd - 29th December 2024
• The Holiday: the Film with Live Orchestra | 3rd December 2024
• Disney's The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert Live to Film | 4th December 2024
• Handel's Messiah Highlights at Christmas at St Giles' Cathedral | 9th December 2024
• Love Actually: the Film with Live Orchestra | 10th December 2024
• Christmas at the Movies by Candlelight in Edinburgh | 14th December 2024
• Edinburgh's Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens - Texas | 31st December 2024

• Inked Up: Printmaking in Scotland | 14th September 2024 - 1st June 2025
• Everlyn Nicodemus | 19th October 2024 - 25th May 2025
• Stitched: Scotland's Embroidered Art | 25th October 2024 - 18th January 2025
• Celebrating 40 Years of Scotland’s Photography Collection | 6th November 2024 - 16th March 2025
• Dürer to Van Dyck | Drawings from Chatsworth House | 9th November 2024 - 23rd February 2025

There are some really magical events on in and around Edinburgh throughout December. Expect light shows, art tours and workshops, Christmas concerts especially for wee ones and numerous opportunities to meet Santa and Rudolph.

• Christmas at the Botanics | 21st November - 30th December 2024
• Santa's Grotto at Dalkeith Country Park | 30th Nov - 24th Dec 2024
• Christmas Fair at Jupiter Artland | 7th & 8th December 2024

Read our Best lunch spots in and around Edinburgh article for delicious lunch & brunch inspiration. We also have our Best Edinburgh eating out guide highlighting some real foodie gems we love to visit.

For the best country & city spas in and around Edinburgh look no further than our local spa guide. Fletchers Country Spa, Stobo and One Spa come highly recommended as well as our own little woodland sauna in the Pentlands - even more magical in the snow.