Entry into all Edinburgh’s Christmas sites is free! You can pre-book a selection of rides and activities online in advance such as Ice Skating, The Big Wheel, Santa’s Stories and more. All rides, including those bookable online, can be paid for at the point of entry to the ride or attractions. Our staff will be on hand to help. Please bear in mind that each site is cashless, so card payments only.

You can purchase tickets for Edinburgh's Christmas Events from our website. You can find a full listing of events with ticket prices and dates here. For ticketed events, we always recommend pre-booking to avoid disappointment.

As per our T&Cs, our tickets cannot be refunded, exchanged, or resold. Tickets bought through third-party sites will not be valid.

We do not have dedicated buggy parks on our sites however if you are attending Santa's Stories, you can leave your buggy outside the venue. 

Valuables are left at your own risk and Edinburgh’s Christmas cannot take responsibility for any lost items.

Yes, all sites will have an accessible toilet with baby change facilities available.

If you have lost an item, please make yourself known to our Box Office Team. If you find any lost property on our sites, please hand it to a member of staff. 

In order to redeem the EH discount, you can do so online and in person. 

If you you are purchasing tickets online, you must log in to your account/register on our website first and ensure your billing address states your EH postcode. Then, select the Standard tickets you would like, and add the tickets to the basket. 

If you are planning to pay in person, simply show proof of postcode (driving licence, utility bill, Young Scot Card, etc.)

The ticket price should automatically change at checkout. 

A few points to note: 

• Tickets are limited to a maximum of four tickets per event and six per transaction 
• The offer is only valid when tickets are purchased through our official website/in person at our box offices and only redeemable on certain events.
• Your billing address must have an EH postcode attached for the offer to work 
• Local residents must request the discount; it will not be applied automatically in person. So, remember to ask for it when purchasing your tickets at the ride or attraction
• This ticket offer is subject to availability and Participating attractions/Events only. If the ticket price does not automatically change, this means either the offer has been exhausted or your billing address does not have an EH Postcode attached.

We do not have parking on any of our sites. You can find all information regarding on-street parking on the Edinburgh Council Website.

We encourage all our patrons to use public transport where possible as all of our sites have excellent public transport links!

Your dog is welcome to visit us but must be kept on a lead at all times. Unfortunately, dogs are not permitted in St Andrew Square, or on any of our rides/attractions including The Big Wheel, The Polar Ice Bar and Ice Skating. 

Security

We have security teams working across all Edinburgh’s Christmas event sites to monitor and assist in maintain public safety and preventing crime and disorder. If you see anything suspicious or that you find uncomfortable, please report it to our security team.

It is always your responsibility to keep your personal possessions safe. Unique Assembly Ltd will not be held liable for the loss, damage or theft of any items. By attending any Unique Assembly Ltd operated event site you consent to being filmed by either motion or still photography and sound recording by Unique Assembly Ltd or by the police or other security for the purpose of safety and monitoring at the event sites.

CCTV will be in operation across all Edinburgh’s Christmas event sites for the purpose of public safety and crime prevention. For further information, please contact [email protected] .  

All Edinburgh’s Christmas site are outdoors in the Scottish winter elements. Make sure to wrap up warm and cosy. Waterproofs are always advised. Please try not to bring umbrellas.   

We will be open whatever the weather unless the weather is at a windspeed that may be dangerous to the public. If this rare occasion occurs, we will notify people via our social media channels and anyone with pre-purchased tickets to events or attractions will be notified directly.    

Rides

If I have a pre-booked ticket, do I need to print or can I show on my phone?

We advise having your QR code tickets downloaded onto your phone. We have scanners that work with any QR code, paper or phone but for ease phone tickets are fine. 

Santa's Stories at St Andrew Square

Venue Information

Can my dog come to Santa’s Stories?   

Unfortunately, no dogs are allowed in the regular sessions unless they are assistance dogs.

Where can I store my buggy?

There will be a designated buggy park area. This will be outdoor and is not covered. No buggies or prams are allowed within the Santa’s Stories venue or on the entrance veranda due to Health and Safety.   

Can I bring food or drinks into the Santa’s Stories venue? 

No food is permitted inside the venue. Only closed bottles, such as water, are allowed within the venue. No hot drinks.  

Is there a toilet in the venue?

No there is not but we do have toilets on site and nearby at local businesses. Please be sure to use the toilets before coming to Santa’s Stories to be safe.

A child's ticket includes 1 adult admission free, any additional adults wishing to go to the experience can purchase the “additional adult ticket”. These can be bought online or at the Santa’s Stories experience. Subject to availability due to capacity.

Unfortunately, tickets are not exchangeable. The session time and date you have selected will appear on your ticket and is only valid for the time/date shown. Please make sure to select a time and date you can attend.

All children must be accompanied by an adult. One adult admission is included in the price of the child’s ticket. Children must be supervised by an adult at all times

Yes, we will have ramp access into the venue and have spaces for 2 wheelchair users in every standard session.   

We also have relaxed sessions which will be a smaller capacity, ambient lighting and sound with free movement in and out of the space. Please see our schedule below

Are there skate aids available for hire?

Yes we have skate aids in the form of penguins available to hire for anyone who needs a wee hand to skate confidently. These are not suitable for anyone over 1.2m for safety reasons.

These can be booked online ahead of your session as an additional purchase to your ticket. There will be a limited number available at the rink for each session. These are subject to availability and on a first come first serve basis. Skate aids must be returned at the end of your session.

What skate sizes do you have?

Skate sizes range from a Children's size 8 (european 25) to an adult size 15 (european size 50)

Can I bring my own skates?

Of course! If you have your own skates you are more than welcome to bring them along, but please note that speed skates are not permitted.

Skates must be deemed suitable for skating on our rink and the Ice Rink team reserve the right to refuse use of skates if not deemed suitable. Edinburgh's Christmas are not liable for any issues that arise from using personal skates.   

You may need to pay for a locker to store your shoes if there is not a suitable space available for them.

Do you have first aid?

Yes, we will have professional event first aid on site at all session times.

Is the ice real?

100% real, no synthetic ice is used within our rink.

What time should I arrive?

Ice Rink sessions will begin on the hour. Please arrive 20 minutes before your session begins to collect your skates and get ready to skate.

Is there food and drink available?

Yes we will have one of our festive food traders and bars at the George St site for you to enjoy after your skate.

These will be located at the Castle St end of the site and the bar will be located within the viewing space of the rink.

The bar will offer a selection of cold and hot drinks including festive treats and non alcoholic warmers.

Any alcohol sales will be for consumption on site only and in accordance to licensing laws. All out bars operated a Challenge 25 policy so please be sure to bring ID.

Can I bring my own food and drink?

Visitors cannot bring food or drink from anywhere external to the wider site.

Can I pay with cash?

All our sites operate a cashless system and therefore all tickets must be purchased using card. We will have a designated Ice Rink box office who can help you and our cloakroom and penguins can be purchased in person via our payment systems.

Adult-to-child Ration at the Ice Rink?

Our Standard policy this year mandates a maximum of three children per adult on the ice rink, primarily for safety reasons. 

I am a wheelchair user. Can I skate?

Manual and motorised wheelchairs are welcome to skate on the ice. Please contact a member of our team ahead of booking your tickets on [email protected]

Welcome to Edinburgh’s Christmas Ice Rink

Before you have a skate please read over our guidance.   

Do’s 

Skate within your own ability and maintain reasonable control of your speed and direction at all times

Abide by all informational signage and co-operate with Ice Rink marshals.

Maintain awareness of others on the Ice at all times.

Always skate in an anti-clockwise direction

Make sure your ice skates fit properly, comfortably and are correctly fastened.

Remove headphones, there is site music and may be important announcements.   

Wear socks at all times whilst skating in hired skates.   

Keep exits and entrances to the ice clear.   

Use caution when entering and exiting the ice.

Only skate during your allotted session, please leave when your session is over to allow others on to the ice. The Ice Marshalls will notify when your session is coming to an end.

All children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult whilst on the ice.   

Don’ts

Carry children or babies on the ice. All skaters must skate independently.

Cut across the rink

Play tag

Skate in chains of more than 2 people

Chip, throw or spray ice towards any other skaters or spectators

Sit, climb, or put feet on barrier surround the ice rink

Use phones or take photographs whilst on the ice. Those spectating can take pictures whilst you skate.

Take food or drinks on to the ice or litter on the ice.

Wear scarves or loose clothing that may become entangled with other skaters.   

Carry bags or loose articles on the ice

Act in a manner that may cause or contribute to your injury or injury to any other person

Engage in abusive, abrasive, or disorderly conduct

Skate whilst under the influence of drugs or other impairing substances or whilst intoxicated

Smoking is not permitted on the ice.

Skating conditions may vary – please be aware of soft spots, rough edges, water puddles and other hazards.   

Ice Rink Staff and Site Management reserve the right to refuse entry to or remove individuals from the Ice Rink if you are deemed to be intoxicated, aggressive, exhibiting dangerous behaviour or harassing others etc.   

Edinburgh’s Christmas is not responsible for accidents, skaters skate at their own risk.   

Skate safe!   

Ice Skating Terms and Conditions  

Please keep in mind that ice skating, although a wonderful Christmas experience, is a sport and you undertake this at your own risk.

If you are not comfortable on the ice, it is at your own discretion to purchase a ticket and you will not be refunded if you come off the ice early or do not enjoy the skating experience on the ice.

The ice rink and site management teams reserve the right to refuse anyone deemed intoxicated or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol. This is primarily for your safety but also for the safety of those around you.

We have bars available but these are for use after skating, please be aware of this. If you are refused entry to the ice rink you will not be refunded or your ticket exchanged.

Yes, we have a selection of Winter Warmer bars at each site along with a selection of food traders too. The majority of food and drink outlets are based within East Princes St Gardens Markets with a small selection at West Princes St (Festive Family Funfair) and George St attractions.

All Edinburgh’s Christmas bars operate on the challenge 25 policy. Visitors cannot bring in their own alcohol and random security bag checks will be carried out at the gates. Alcoholic drinks purchased on site must not be taken outside of site and must be consumed or disposed before leaving the site.  Unique Assembly promotes responsible drinking at all Edinburgh’s Christmas events.

Off sale

Closed sealed alcohol bought as gifts or shopping can be taken offsite if purchased from one of our stalls. Once purchased it cannot be opened and consumed within the site, security reserve the right to confiscate.

If you have any feedback or want to get in touch, please contact us on [email protected] and someone in our team will get back to you.