The countdown to Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions has begun, with the much-loved Christmas Markets in East Princes Street Gardens opening this Saturday 15 November. This year’s market presents 71 artisan Scottish traders; including 53 from Edinburgh, and a selection of international traders showcasing their handmade crafts and delicious treats throughout the festive period until 4 January 2026.

Recently announced as number one in the UK by Locals Insider, Edinburgh’s Christmas Market is beautifully nestled in the Scottish capital’s Princes Street Gardens, under the world-famous Edinburgh Castle. With last year’s events welcoming over 2.8M visitors, the Market is a key part of the city’s winter celebrations, boasting over 90 beautifully decorated chalets filled with locally made crafts, bespoke gifts and festive food and drink.

This year, some of the must-try seasonal favourites include hot roasted chestnuts, mulled wine and cider, hot chocolate and, of course, Dutch Stroopwafels, brought to the traditional markets by an Edinburgh-based Dutchman, Timothy Shelhaas. His company Wholly Waffles is the UK’s first and only Dutch Stroopwafel bakery, using handmade Dutch waffle irons and traditional baking techniques. 

Timothy Shelhaas said: “Wholly Waffles is the UK’s first Dutch Stroopwafel bakery. We serve the true Dutch Stroopwafel: a fresh waffle that is sliced in half and filled with a warmly-spiced caramel. The dough and caramel for our stroopwafels is house made using a recipe that dates back to the 1900s! We are so excited to return to Edinburgh’s Christmas and share Dutch food with its wonderful visitors.”

Pictured: Wholly Waffles / Pies by Jarvis Pickle

Some of the other food and drink highlights include Pies by Jarvis Pickle making a very welcome return to the Market, and Edinburgh-based coffee roasters Uplands Roast. Mac Love will be serving up their famous gooey mac’n’cheese, Roast will once again take diners and internet by storm and, in a nod to the German origin of the Christmas market, visitors can enjoy some salty, cheesy goodness from Späetzle. For those looking for perfect stocking-fillers, Edinburgh Honey Co., The Fudge Company, The Cherry Tree and Great Glen Distillery offer a wide range of beautifully crafted gifts to suit all ages and tastes. 

Adam Dwyer, Managing Director at Great Glen Distillery said: “We are incredibly excited to be part of Edinburgh’s Christmas Market this year. This event is an iconic part of Scotland’s festive season, and it’s a privilege to bring our handcrafted spirits to such a vibrant audience. We can’t wait to share the flavours of Christmas and be part of the magic.”
 

From colourful wind spinners to Fair Isle knitwear, the Market stallholders never disappoint with their stunning array of handmade produce. For fans of a quirky accessory, Edinburgh Bow Tie Co. is back, as is Royal Mile Silver, known for their nature-inspired jewellery. For the kitchen- obsessed, Selbrae House offers premium kitchenware with a Scottish twist, and for those looking for the finest Scottish-made clothing, family-run Macraes of Edinburgh present a range of wool and tweed garments. The uniquely sheep-themed Baa Baa Sheep shop also has a stall at the Market presenting sheep of all shapes and sizes while Hairy Fairy Gifts are bound to have something gorgeously handcrafted to satisfy the most discerning Christmas shoppers. 

As always, Edinburgh’s Christmas Market is the perfect place to find the imaginative and the unusual. Returning this year is Westmount Art, an Edinburgh-based illustration and design studio creating original artworks and handmade gifts which have found homes in over 60 shops worldwide - from the U.S. to the Netherlands. In similar vein, Kydd’s Craft creates original pieces of art by upcycling and upholstering furniture.

Kydd’s Craft founder Heather Kydd said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas has brought back the magic and joy of Christmas time for me again - after my mum died 11 years ago, it was a time of year I dreaded because it highlighted who was missing. Being around cheerful folks from all over the world in a village of charming huts and delicious smells with the backdrop of my favourite city has made Christmas magical again!

“My business is focused on sustainability and gift giving that evokes memories and nostalgia. I make soy wax candles in teacups to bring beautiful pieces of vintage china out of the back of a cupboard so that they can be appreciated by all generations. Edinburgh’s Christmas has also shown me that people appreciate what my business does.”

While exploring the rich offerings of the Market stalls, visitors can also enjoy rides and attractions, from twinkly carousels to thrilling loops on the 80m high Around the World Starflyer, one of the biggest in Europe, altogether making a perfect day out this winter season.

The annual EH Residents Discount returns for 2025, offering locals over 100,000 tickets at a 20% discount for the Ice Rink, Market rides and others, helping locals to enjoy that little bit more this Christmas. Edinburgh’s Christmas is also working with local community groups to give away thousands of tickets for the rides, ice skating and Santa Stories and looking to raise donations for city charities through tickets and donation points across Edinburgh’s Christmas. 

Edinburgh’s Christmas Market is open daily except Christmas Day, with varying opening dates and times plus a full list of stallhorders available here.