Hotels near Edinburgh Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens

The main Edinburgh Christmas market fills East Princes Street Gardens, beneath the Gothic spire of the Scott Monument and facing the Old Town skyline across the valley. Around 70 wooden chalets sell handmade gifts from Scottish and European crafters, decorations, mulled wine, hot chocolate and street food. The stalls sit on either side of the railway line that runs through the gardens, with more stalls by the galleries on the Mound.

The 2026 season runs from 14 November to 3 January 2027, with the market open from 10am to 10pm on most days. It is free to enter, and it is closed on Christmas Day.

Previous editions built a large deck over the garden lawn, which drew criticism; the current layout keeps the stalls along the paths instead. The result is narrower walkways, so crowds build quickly after 4pm.

Pro Tip: Arrive at opening time on a weekday to browse the stalls before the after-work crowd. Leave luggage at your hotel first; bags slow you down in the narrow lanes between chalets.