An insider’s guide to Edinburgh’s Christmas: Everything you need to know about the UK’s best Christmas Market

Discover the magic of festive shopping in Scotland’s capital city, check out this insider’s guide to the UK’s best Christmas market and unwrap a world of delights.

Edinburgh's’ Christmas kicked off last Friday with its first festive offerings landing with cheer in Princes Street Gardens. Ranked the UK’s best Christmas Market 2025 by Locals Insider, Edinburgh’s Christmas is back, filling the city centre with cosy markets, festive treats and stalls to discover the cutest handmade gifts for your nearest and dearest.

Edinburgh’s Christmas is chock full of cosy spots and festive photo opportunities, as well as over 70 artisan Scottish traders at the Traditional Christmas Markets in East Princes Street Gardens. Keep reading for a sneak peak of what Edinburgh's Christmas has to offer and discover what's not to be missed at the Traditional Christmas markets.

Festive Treats

If there’s one thing we know Edinburgh’s Christmas does well, it’s the food. Award-winning pie-maker Jarvis Pickle is back, with warming pies and mash to keep out the cold. Be sure to check out the brand new (and very delicious) Butter Chicken Pie, or one of the old classics. We love them for a reason!

Cosy in with your pals around a luxury hot chocolate from Hector & Harriet, Mulled Wine or Raclette at the Alpine Bar. Edinburgh-based coffee roasters Uplands Roast join the market this year, and firm favourites Mac Love serve up delicious mac’n’cheese. For a taste of the German origins of the iconic Christmas Markets, visitors can try the salty, cheesy goodness of Späetzle.

There are plenty of take-home treats and stocking fillers too, with traders selling everything from artisanal raw honey from locals Edinburgh Honey Co, jams, curds, and more from Cherry Tree Preserves to the perfect Christmas tipple from Pilgrims’ Drinks and Great Glen Distillery.

Handmade and artisan

Finding the perfect gift can be tough at the best of times but luckily Edinburgh’s Christmas has curated some of the cutest handmade arts, crafts and garments from local traders, all nestled into the cosy, festive feel of the traditional Christmas Markets.

Here are some festive favourites:

Whether it’s fairtrade, handmade paper star lampshades from Starlight Cornwall, adding that cosy feel to any room in the winter months, or premium kitchenware from Selbrae House, the Markets are full of gorgeously hand-crafted produce.

Paraffle, whose embroidery kits offer handmade artwork you (or your closest crafty pal!) can proudly show off at home. Don’t worry though, they’ve also got beautiful pre-made embroidery for those of us less artistically inclined.

Check out independent makers Diedododa for quirky art and colourful home decor and Leamne for keepsake prints of your favourite cityscapes, tiny ceramics, and gorgeous jewellery. For quirky accessories, Edinburgh Bow Tie Co. is back, as is Royal Mile Silver, known for their nature-inspired jewellery.

Failing to find the ideal gift for someone else, there’s no harm in treating yourself, with plenty of stalls offering everything you need for a night of self-care. The Edinburgh Natural Skincare Company are guaranteed to have you glowing, or cosy up in some woollens from Macraes of Edinburgh.

Check out the full list of makers and traders at edinburgh-christmas.com and pop by Princes Street to explore the festivities yourself!

With George Street’s Polar Ice Bar and Ice Rink opening on 20th and 25th November respectively, Edinburgh’s Festive season has well and truly begun.

Edinburgh's’ Christmas festivities run from now until 04 Jan 2026.