The Edinburgh Address & Adore ScotlandWhat's on in Edinburgh in December 2023? Edinburgh Santa Run 2023 Join in or spectate as thousands of santas run or walk the 2.5km through Princes Street Gardens. The aim is to have fun, collaborate and raise monies for children's charity 'When You Wish Upon A Star'. What? Fun run When? 10 December 2023 Where? West Princes Street Gardens Santa Dash 2023 "The Santa Dash 2023 is around the trails of Cammo Nature Reserve in Edinburgh which has beautiful running routes along riverside paths, through fields and around historic buildings. There are 2 distance options to choose from: you can either dash around the 5K or the 10K." What? Fun run When? 17 December 2023 Where? Cammo Estate, Edinburgh Edinburgh Christmas Market 2023 The Christmas market will be in full swing, with fairground rides, mulled wine and festive stalls creating a sizzling atmosphere. What? Food, drink, shopping and entertainment When? 17 November 2023-6 January 2024 Where? Princes Street Christmas at the Botanics 2023 A firm favourite for locals and visitors alike, as the gorgeous botanical gardens are lit with colourful installations and displays to wow and delight. This magical experience is a memorable experience. What? Night walk When? 16 November-30 December 2023 Where? The Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh Torchlight Procession 2023 Raise funds and join thousands of walkers, creating a river of fire to raise money and awareness of homelessness. Joined by live Street Theatre, Fire Performers, Pipe Bands and Drummers, led by Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad. What? Torchlight Walk When? 29 December 2023 Where? The Meadows to the City Centre Princes Gardens Concert & Fireworks It’s almost time to embrace the New Year! And of course, nothing is better than celebrating New Year’s Eve in the Princes Street Gardens with some good music and a wonderful fireworks show. At midnight, say goodbye to 2023 and welcome in 2024 with the best views in the house of the fireworks over Edinburgh Castle. This really is your ticket to the ultimate, memorable Hogmanay experience. What? Music and laughter When? 31 December 2023 Where? Edinburgh City Centre The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan It's not Christmas without a panto. What? Theatre for all the family When? 25 November-31 December 2023 Where? Festival Theatre, Edinburgh The Polar Express For a full immersive experience, don't miss The Polar Express. Visiting Edinburgh for the first time, you'll be blown away with the sounds, sights, and characters boarding the train. With hot chocolate, song, theatre and a special surprise from Santa, you're bound to be making memories. What? Theatre for all the family When? 30 November-22 December 2023 Where? Departing from Edinburgh Waverly Station, Edinburgh Murrayfield Stadium Tours Take a guided tour of BT Murrayfield, the home of Scottish Rugby, and you’ll be taken inside areas of the stadium that you would never ordinarily get to see and will be regaled with stories from Scottish Rugby’s rich history - seeing what the stadium looks like day to day and learning about the preparations for international matches. What? Sport When? Most days in December until 30 December 2023 Where? BT Murrayfield Edinburgh’s Markets Wherever you’re staying in the city, there’s bound to be an outdoor farmers market to visit. Treat yourself to delicious Scottish meats and cheeses from one of the artisanal stalls, or browse some Edinburgh-made arts to take home as a memento of your trip.
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What's On December?

Written by Charlotte Roberts

Edinburgh in December - A view of Nelson Monument at Calton Hill in Edinburgh in the snow at sunset.
A view of Nelson Monument at Calton Hill in Edinburgh in the snow at sunset.

It's Christmas Time for 2023! Visit Edinburgh in December to enjoy the fairytale city, go to the Christmas Market, the Christmas Tree Festival and so much more!

Special advice from The Edinburgh Address: pack your winter wardrobe, it's chilly outside.

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Santa in Edinburgh at Christmas - Man with white beard and a red cloak. (© Jesson Mata on Unsplash)
Man with white beard and a red cloak.
© Jesson Mata on Unsplash

This really is your ticket to the ultimate, memorable Hogmanay experience.

What's on in Edinburgh in December 2023?

Edinburgh Santa Run 2023

Join in or spectate as thousands of santas run or walk the 2.5km through Princes Street Gardens.

The aim is to have fun, collaborate and raise monies for children's charity 'When You Wish Upon A Star'. 

What? Fun run

When? 10 December 2023

Where? West Princes Street Gardens


Santa Dash 2023

"The Santa Dash 2023 is around the trails of Cammo Nature Reserve in Edinburgh which has beautiful running routes along riverside paths, through fields and around historic buildings.

There are 2 distance options to choose from: you can either dash around the 5K or the 10K."

What? Fun run

When? 17 December 2023

Where? Cammo Estate, Edinburgh


Edinburgh Christmas Market 2023

The Christmas market will be in full swing, with fairground rides, mulled wine and festive stalls creating a sizzling atmosphere.

What? Food, drink, shopping and entertainment

When? 17 November 2023-6 January 2024

Where? Princes Street


Christmas at the Botanics 2023

A firm favourite for locals and visitors alike, as the gorgeous botanical gardens are lit with colourful installations and displays to wow and delight. 

This magical experience is a memorable experience. 

What? Night walk

When? 16 November-30 December 2023

Where? The Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh


Torchlight Procession 2023

Raise funds and join thousands of walkers, creating a river of fire to raise money and awareness of homelessness. Joined by live Street Theatre, Fire Performers, Pipe Bands and Drummers, led by Vikings from Shetland’s South Mainland Up Helly Aa’ Jarl Squad.

What? Torchlight Walk

When? 29 December 2023

Where? The Meadows to the City Centre


Princes Gardens Concert & Fireworks 

It’s almost time to embrace the New Year! And of course, nothing is better than celebrating New Year’s Eve in the Princes Street Gardens with some good music and a wonderful fireworks show.

At midnight, say goodbye to 2023 and welcome in 2024 with the best views in the house of the fireworks over Edinburgh Castle.

This really is your ticket to the ultimate, memorable Hogmanay experience. 

What? Music and laughter

When? 31 December 2023

Where? Edinburgh City Centre


The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan

It's not Christmas without a panto.

What? Theatre for all the family

When? 25 November-31 December 2023

Where? Festival Theatre, Edinburgh


The Polar Express

For a full immersive experience, don't miss The Polar Express.

Visiting Edinburgh for the first time, you'll be blown away with the sounds, sights, and characters boarding the train.

With hot chocolate, song, theatre and a special surprise from Santa, you're bound to be making memories.

What? Theatre for all the family

When? 30 November-22 December 2023

Where? Departing from Edinburgh Waverly Station, Edinburgh


Murrayfield Stadium Tours

Take a guided tour of BT Murrayfield, the home of Scottish Rugby, and you’ll be taken inside areas of the stadium that you would never ordinarily get to see and will be regaled with stories from Scottish Rugby’s rich history - seeing what the stadium looks like day to day and learning about the preparations for international matches.

What? Sport

When? Most days in December until 30 December 2023

Where? BT Murrayfield


Edinburgh’s Markets

Wherever you’re staying in the city, there’s bound to be an outdoor farmers market to visit.

Treat yourself to delicious Scottish meats and cheeses from one of the artisanal stalls, or browse some Edinburgh-made arts to take home as a memento of your trip.

Fireworks above Edinburgh castle in December - Red and pink firework explosion above the castle at night.
Red and pink firework explosion above the castle at night.

We hope that you enjoy December in Edinburgh!

Contact us if you have any questions about the city, or for suggestions on which of our range of luxury holiday homes would best suit you for a dreamy Christmas experience in Edinburgh.

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