The market officially runs from 15th November 2025 to 4th January 2026.
The familiar scent of mulled gin and roasting nuts has returned to the city centre as the Edinburgh Christmas Market officially opens in East Princes Street Gardens. While the twinkling lights are a magnet for visitors from across the globe, organisers Unique Assembly are clear: this year is very much a Christmas for Edinburgh people.
This isn’t just a talking point. To subtly bypass the busiest crowds and make the most of the attractions, locals with an EH postcode can get a 20% discount on rides, the ice rink, and the Polar Ice bar.
A spokesperson for Unique Assembly, the team behind the event, confirmed the focus. “The biggest thing is your EH postcode discount. Don’t forget to do it,” they urged. “On the rides down in West [Princes Street Gardens] and the Polar Ice bar and the ice rink, they’re all there for locals as much as for tourists.”
Locals just need to bring a utility bill or similar proof of address to claim their discount on-site.
The View from Above: The LNER Big Wheel
I was one of the first up the LNER Big Wheel this week, and it is a highly recommended experience for anyone confident with heights. The view of the city from the top is truly remarkable, offering a perspective of the Old Town and the Castle that you simply cannot get from street level.
Tickets can be booked in advance here: https://edwinterfest.com/edinburgh-christmas/whats-on/lner-big-wheel
What’s New for 2025?
This year sees some significant and welcome changes alongside the wheel. Santa has moved back to West Princes Street Gardens, transforming the area into a dedicated family hub alongside the ice rink and Star Flyer.
The Polar Ice Bar will also be running special family-friendly sessions for the first time, allowing children to experience the ice sculptures with a hot chocolate in hand.
Over at the Ross Bandstand, visitors can enjoy an expanded programme of free community events, including a performance from the Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
Meet the Traders
Behind the festive stalls are stories of passionate local and Scottish producers.
One of the most anticipated new arrivals is the Great Glen Distillery, officially the smallest distillery in Scotland. Despite their size, they have arrived with a staggering seven tonnes of their Mulled Gin.
Adam Dwyer, Managing Director, said: “We are incredibly excited to be part of Edinburgh’s Christmas Market. This event is an iconic part of Scotland’s festive season… We can’t wait to share the flavours of Christmas.”
The distillery, based on the banks of Loch Ness, has already won prestigious awards, including three Great Taste Stars for its flagship gin. For Adam, coming to the capital was essential. “Edinburgh’s kind of the beating heart of Scotland,” he explained. “This is our we spent the summer making it all and now we get to spend the winter chatting to people… it’s all hands on deck.”
You will also find familiar local faces, like Selbrae House. The Fife-based, family-run brand creates handcrafted homeware inspired by Scottish heritage. “We’re so excited to be part of Edinburgh’s Christmas once again, it’s one of our favourite festive traditions,” a spokesperson for the brand said.
For some, the market is a decades-long tradition. Chandra of Royal Mile Silver is one of the longest-standing street traders in Edinburgh, having worked in the city for 30 years.
“We get a lot of groups… that come and say, ‘Oh, every year we come here and buy a ring off you’,” Chandra told us. “We’re part of people’s story.”
She even shared a story of a nervous customer grabbing a ring to propose on the Big Wheel, only to return with his new fiancée, who was arguing the ring was too big, delighted to be engaged, but mortified that his partner thought his fingers were that large. It’s these moments that, for Chandra, make the market magical.
As a veteran trader, she has a unique insight into the market’s appeal. “We get a lot of people from Leeds, Newcastle, come up for a weekend… more than ever before, there’s more UK tourists coming.” But it’s the combination of visitors and locals that makes it work.
How to Visit
- Where: East Princes Street Gardens (Traditional Market) & West Princes Street Gardens (Family Hub, Ice Rink, Santa Stories).
- When: 15th November 2025 – 4th January 2026.
- Local Discount: 20% off attractions for EH postcode residents. Bring a recent utility bill or driver’s licence. (Girdy’s note – I’ve never been challenged to prove my postcode)
- More Info: Visit edwinterfest.com for full details.
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