Christmas and Hogmanay in Edinburgh: the Big Wheel, the ice, the castle and four days of New Year

Edinburgh’s Christmas

Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals, produced by Unique Assembly, run the city’s Christmas attractions and Hogmanay from one official site, edwinterfest.com. The LNER Big Wheel opens on 14 November 2026, with enclosed, weather-proof pods and evening views over the Christmas lights; the Family Ice Experience, a frozen world of hand-carved ice sculptures, opens on 21 November.

We print the other Christmas dates only when the official site publishes them; check edwinterfest.com before you travel.

Winter in the Old Town

Winter is a fine time for the city’s sights: Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse and the National Museum of Scotland are quieter than in summer, and Calton Hill gives the clearest view of the lights. St Giles’ Cathedral, on the Royal Mile, holds services and music through Advent; see its own site for the programme.

Hogmanay

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2026/27 is billed as four days of events to bring in the New Year, with the Street Party returning on 31 December and fireworks over the castle, in the organisers’ words. On New Year’s Day, First Footin’ takes over venues across the city with an unticketed live-music trail.

Our advice: Street Party tickets and hotels go early; book both as soon as you can, and remember that Edinburgh’s visitor levy applies to paid stays from 24 July 2026.

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