Countdown to Christmas: Try our advent calendar of fun things to do at Edinburgh’s Christmas
Festive fun is everywhere you look in Edinburgh’s Christmas, with lots to do across the city. Follow our advent calendar of family things to do from now until Christmas Day!
Choose fun things to do from our list each day, to get you in the festive mood before Christmas:
- Ride the Starflyer, next to the Scott monument, for a thrilling experience while enjoying the impressive views of Edinburgh from 80 metres above.
- Sample the different mulled drinks across the markets – from traditional spiced gluhwein to a sophisticated mulled Negroni in the Contini bar! Don’t miss out on the Mulled Original beer from Innis & Gunn.
- For those with four-legged friends, head over to the Ross Bandstand this Saturday 9 December and join Santa Paws for a fun dog show, gifts and multiple photo opportunities!
- Try the Christmas Pie from Jarvis Pickle: With festive flavours warming you from the inside out, this melt-in-your-mouth chicken thigh in a delicious creamy sauce with sprouts, chestnuts and bacon, is topped with cranberry sauce and encased in a buttery shortcrust pastry using single-source Scottish flour. This pie has won a British Pie Award Silver Medal and is made by Great Taste Producer Jarvis Pickle in the Scottish Borders.
- Witness the beauty of Edinburgh sunset from the Forth 1 Big Wheel in East Princess Street Gardens.
- For a wholesome and festive day out, register for the Santa Fun Run & Walk taking place next Sunday 10 December.
- Treat yourself to something sweet: Chock Shop returns with its Gluten Free Belgian White Chocolate and Nutella Hazelnut brownies, while crepes and waffles feature a range of toppings including marshmallows, cinnamon, lemon and sugar.
- Baby’s first Christmas? Recently married? Commemorate that special occasion with a personalised Christmas tree ornament at the market stalls. There are plenty to choose from!
- Practice your skating moves at the Edinburgh Christmas Ice Rink with Jet2Holidays, surrounded by the unique architecture of George Street and the enchanting festive light decorations.
- Warm your feet with fun handcrafted socks from Joe Cool company situated on East Princess Street Market.
- Head to West Princess Street Gardens for a fun day with the wee ones at the Festive Family Funfair and enjoy the Waltzers, the Mutterhorn and plenty of other rides.
- Visit St Andrew Square, where the man himself will be entertaining families with Santa Stories, 20-minute storytelling sessions, and get a gift on the way out!
- Write a letter to Santa at the Santa’s Post Box and Letter Writing Station at St Andrew Square.
- Donate a gift at the Festival of Kindness Tree at St Andrew Square and help to spread the love this festive season.
- Get a festive photo at the Christmas Globe on George Street.
- Visit the Nativity Scene on the Mound.
- Find the perfect Christmas gift at the Skye Leather Company stall on George Street Market.
- Slide down the Helter Skelter on East Princess Street Market and have a drink at the Helter Skelter bar!
- Warm up by the fire while you roast marshmallow at the stall situated at West Princess Street Gardens.
- Head over to the Local Motive Market on Castle Street to find unique Christmas gifts from the carefully curated stalls featuring products from some of the best of Scottish artisans and traders.
- Go for a walk and enjoy Winter Windows, the collaboration between Edinburgh primary school children and local businesses spreading festive cheer across the city.
- Visit the illumination trail on East Princess Street Gardens and take a photo at the illuminated Edinburgh sign.
- Sample the Traditional German Bratwurst at the Christmas markets.
- Edinburgh Christmas market has been recently named best place in Europe to enjoy a hot chocolate, and deliciously velvety specialities to look out for this year are the Santa Loco and the Scottish Santa.
- Take a family picture by the Ross Fountain with the impressive backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, one of the most popular Instagrammable spots in the city.
For more details
Make sure that you don’t miss out on your favourite events this Christmas – for the full details visit www.edinburgh-christmas.com