Here’s our pick of where some of the best experiences can be found around the city in the run-up to Christmas.
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The Snow Queen, Festival Theatre, till December 7
Scottish Ballet’s winter tour show has arrived in Edinburgh, where The Snow Queen has taken up residence before heading to Glasgow, Aberdeen and Inverness.
Hans Christian Andersen’s 1844 fairytale has been adapted by Scottish Ballet’s artistic director Christopher Hampson, and designer Lez Brotherston.
Audiences will be transported to the queen’s icy palace via a winter market and a fairytale forest.
The Christmas at the Botanics event is at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh until December 30. (Image: Phil Wilkinson)
Christmas at the Botanics, Royal Botanic Garden, till December 30.
The after-dark experience at Edinburgh’s historic outdoor garden has been become firmly established as one of the city’s most popular festive events over the last decade.
Almost 100,000 visitors are expected to flock to the historic site during the 36-night run of the light trail, which is now in its ninth year.
Highlights of the effects featured in the show are expected to include multi-coloured butterflies taking flight, laser lights bursting through an atmospheric fog, a “tunnel of love emitting a red glow self-illuminated water lilies.
The Castle of Light event is currently being staged at Edinburgh Castle. (Image: Nick Mailer)
Castle of Light, Edinburgh Castle, till January 4.
Scotland’s most iconic fortress has become home to the UK’s biggest annual projection show in recent years.
The contrasting forces of fire and ice have inspired the design of this year’s trail around the 12th century landmark.
Visitors can expect to encounter an ice queen and a fire-breaking dragon as they make their way around the castle, which offers unbeatable view of the city centre after dark.
Cinderella: A Fairytale is at the Royal Lyceum in Edinburgh this Christmas. (Image: Mihaela Bodlovic)
Cinderella: A Fairytale, Royal Lyceum Theatre, till January 3
The city’s regular theatregoers know that a trip to the Lyceum at Christmas is just the thing to fire up the festive spirit.
Its latest production draws on the centuries old fairlytale Cinderella and in particular the Brothers Grim version, which dates back to 1812, with director Jemima Levick bringing a 2011 reinvention by writers Sally Cookson and Adam Peck up to date.
Nicole Cooper, who starred as Lady Macbeth at the Lyceum last year, plays the wicked stepmother, while Olivia Hemmati, who made her professional stage debut in the National Theatre of Scotland show Keli at the Lyceum earlier this year, returns in the lead role.
Grant Stott, Allan Stewart and Jordan Young lead the cast of the Festival Theatre pantomime Jack and the Beanstalk. (Image: Capital Theatres)
Jack and the Beanstalk, Festival Theatre, December 13-January 11.
There is no question about the most riotous festive experience on offer in Edinburgh over the next few weeks.
The enforced relocation of the long-running King’s Theatre during the former’s ongoing refurbishment has done nothing to curb its popularity.
Ahead of the panto’s return to its spiritual home in 2026, stars Allan Stewart, Grant Stott, Jordan Young, Clare Gray, Gail Watson and Amber Sylvia-Edwards will be taking over the Festival Theatre for a final run.
Christmas at Jupiter, Jupiter Artland, December 6-14.
The award-winning sculpture garden is a new addition to Edinburgh’s Christmas offering after deciding to open over the winter for the first time.
Artisan markets, open firepits, creative workshops, Christmas films and a Santa’s grotto are all on offer at the 120-acre site.
New work by Tai Shani, Georg Wilson and Florence Peake will be on display alongside firm favourites by Tracey Emin, Anya Gallacio, Phyllida Barlow and Ian Hamilton Finlay.
Phil Cunningham’s Christmas Songbook, Queen’s Hall, December 19-22.
The Scottish folk musician has been bringing some of his closest musical pals together for a run of festive shows for almost 20 years.
Classic and contemporary carols and tunes are brought together for the annual gathering, which will feature singers Eddi Reader, Karen Matheson and Kris Drever.
John McCusker, Ian Carr, Kevin McGuire and the Songbook Brass Band will also be performing in a show almost certain to offer sing-a-long moments.
Home Alone in Concert, Usher Hall, December 12.
The John Hughes comedy became an instant classic and propelled Macaulay Culkin to fame when it was released 35 years ago.
The film was nominated for two Academy Awards for John Williams’ score and best original song, for Somewhere in My Memory.
The Usher Hall’s festive screening of Home Alone will see the Royal Scottish National Orchestra performing the film’s full soundtrack.
Mamma Mia!, Edinburgh Playhouse, till January 4.
It may be set on a sun-kissed Greek island, but there is no question that the blockbuster musical is one of the hottest tickets in Edinburgh’s festive line-up.
The musical created from the songs of Swedish pop superstars ABBA by producer Judy Craymer and writer Catherine Johnson was originally staged in London’s West End more than 25 years ago.
It has since been seen by an overall audience of more than 11 million people in 42 countries around the world to date, and also inspired two star-studded feature films.
Edinburgh Zoo’s Giant Lanterns, till February 22.
More than 600 lanterns, some more than 20 foot high, have been installed at the zoo to make the return of the event for the first time in six years.
An underwater wonderland theme has inspired the new trail.
A giant crab, towering sea turtles, dazzling jellyfish and a walk-through an enormous whale among the attractions.
Beyond Van Gogh & Beyond Monet: An Immersive Experience, Royal Highland Centre, till January 2.
The growing popularity is multi-media art exhibitions is reflected in a new experience at the Royal Highland Centre offering visitors the chance to immerse themselves in the work of two of the world’s greatest artists.
More than 700 masterpieces by Monet and Van Gogh are transformed into moving worlds by the latest projection technology.
Each show will be transforming a 12,000 sq ft space on alternative days over the festive period.
Leith Creative Trail, till December 7.
More than 20 venues are now involved in the annual celebration of Leith’s artistic spirit, which offers a real alternative to shopping centres and Princes Street.
Pop-up markets, open studio events, exhibitions and workshops all feature in the week-long programme, which is promoted through a map designed by illustrator Cat Gordon and artist Zoe Brown.
Venues include the Out of the Blue Drill Hall, Cyan Clayworks, Ocean Terminal, Custom House, Portland Street Pottery, Coburg House, Lind and Lime Distillery, the Mote 102 gallery and the Leith Police Box.