Edinburgh events & things to do in December 2026
Start with Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park, Calton Hill, plus Royal Mile. December in Edinburgh averages 7°C / 44°F highs, 1°C / 34°F nights, and about 12 rainy days.
Expect 7°C/44°F days and about 12 rainy ones in December. Start with these:
- Arthur's Seat and Holyrood Park★ 4.8 · 4.8k reviewsThe extinct volcano rises 251m above the city, with paths from Holyrood, Duddingston, and the Salisbury Crags.
- Calton Hill★ 4.8 · 6.4k reviewsThe hill east of Princes Street has the National Monument, Nelson Monument, Dugald Stewart Monument, and one of the classic skyline views toward the…
- Del Amitri: Past to Present - Four Decades Of Their Greatest MusicDec 1Usher Hall · Source: Ticketmaster
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By TripSapien Research · Updated June 3, 2026
Edinburgh in December 2026
Weather
TempTemperature
44°F / 34°F
6.9°C / 0.9°C
RainPrecipitation
12d
2.6in · 65mm
LightDaylight
6.7h
Sea
46.2°F
7.9°C
December is cold, with Christmas markets and Hogmanay setup making central hotel timing important.
Events & festivals
Event calendar- Dec 1 – Dec 31
Christmas at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
Seasonal displays and festive events including illuminated trails and family activities at the Royal Botanic Garden.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1 – Dec 24
Christmas at the Museum of Edinburgh
Special Christmas-themed exhibitions and family workshops celebrating Edinburgh's festive traditions.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 1
Show all 32 events for December
- Dec 2 – Dec 30
- Dec 3
- Dec 5 – Dec 31
Edinburgh Christmas Market
A festive market featuring traditional crafts, food stalls, and seasonal entertainment in the heart of Edinburgh's city center.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 5
- Dec 6
- Dec 6
- Dec 6 – Dec 29
THE FURTHER PANTOMIME ADVENTURES OF PETER PAN: THE RETURN OF CPT HOOK
Arts & Theatre · Circus & Specialty Acts.
Source: Ticketmaster
- Dec 7
- Dec 8
- Dec 9
- Dec 10 – Dec 20
Edinburgh International Festival: Winter Concert Series
A series of classical music concerts featuring international artists as part of the Edinburgh International Festival's winter programming.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 10
- Dec 11
- Dec 12
- Dec 12
- Dec 13
The Big Christmas Sing A-Long with Aled Jones and Alexander Armstrong
Arts & Theatre · Classical.
Source: Ticketmaster
- Dec 13
- Dec 17
- Dec 18 – Dec 27
The Nutcracker Ballet at Edinburgh Playhouse
A traditional performance of The Nutcracker ballet, a holiday favorite held at the historic Edinburgh Playhouse.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 18
- Dec 19
- Dec 19
- Dec 19
- Dec 29 – Jan 1
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival calendar
- Dec 29
Source: festival calendar
- Dec 30
- Dec 31
Edinburgh's Hogmanay Street Party
The world-famous New Year's Eve street party with live music, DJs, and fireworks in Edinburgh's city center.
Planning lead · dates set closer in · Source: festival research
- Dec 31
- Dec 31
Holidays, observances & long weekends
Holiday and observance schedules can affect services and venue hours; confirm each place directly.
- Dec 25Christmas DayPublic holiday
- Dec 26Boxing DayPublic holiday
- Dec 28Boxing Day (substitute day)Public holiday
- Dec 25-Dec 28Long weekend
- Dec 25-Dec 27Long weekend
- Dec 26-Dec 28Long weekend
About Edinburgh
City overview
Edinburgh sits between Castle Rock, Arthur's Seat, and the Firth of Forth, with Old Town closes, New Town crescents, Leith waterfront, Stockbridge streets, Bruntsfield cafes, and Calton Hill viewpoints forming a compact but steep city. Its August festival season changes the city more completely than any single attraction.
Food & drink
Edinburgh food is Scottish staples with a strong pub map: haggis is minced offal, oats, and spice served with neeps and tatties, Cullen skink is smoked-haddock soup, and cranachan folds cream, oats, raspberries, honey, and whisky into dessert. Grassmarket pubs, Stockbridge Market, Leith's Shore restaurants, New Town whisky bars, and chip shops add Scotch pies, shortbread, drams, and fish suppers.
Top sights
Ranked for December suitability using weather, setting, ratings, and review volume.
- 1Royal Mile
- 2Princes Street Gardens and Scott Monument
- 3Edinburgh Castle
- 4Palace of Holyroodhouse
- 5National Museum of Scotland
- 6Royal Yacht Britannia
- 7Scottish National Gallery
- 8Camera Obscura and World of Illusions
1Royal Mile
4.7★ · 23,477outdoorThe Old Town spine runs from Edinburgh Castle to Holyrood Palace through Lawnmarket, High Street, Canongate, closes, churches, pubs, and souvenir shops. It is steep, crowded, and central to most first-time walks.
Wikipedia
2Princes Street Gardens and Scott Monument
4.7★ · 7,321outdoorOpen dailyThe gardens occupy the drained Nor Loch valley below the Castle, separating Old Town from New Town. The 1846 Gothic Scott Monument rises beside Princes Street and Waverley station.
3Edinburgh Castle
4.6★ · 106,104outdoorOpen dailyThe fortress crowns Castle Rock above the Old Town and holds the Honours of Scotland, St Margaret's Chapel, the One O'Clock Gun, and military museums. The Royal Mile begins outside the esplanade.
WikipediaTimed castle tickets sell out during August festivals and holiday weekends.
Show 3 more sights
- 4Palace of Holyroodhouse
- 5National Museum of Scotland
- 6Royal Yacht Britannia
Neighborhoods
1Old Town
Old Town is medieval and vertical, with the Royal Mile, Grassmarket, Greyfriars, Victoria Street, closes, pubs, ghost tours, and festival venues.
2New Town
New Town is Georgian and ordered, with Princes Street, George Street, Queen Street Gardens, galleries, shopping, and hotels.
3Leith
Leith is port-city and food-led, with the Shore, Royal Yacht Britannia, Water of Leith paths, seafood restaurants, pubs, and tram links.
Day trips
60km / 45-55min by train from Edinburgh Waverley
Stirling
Stirling Castle, the Old Town, Wallace Monument, and Bannockburn history make the easiest castle-and-battlefield day.
40km / 30min by train from Edinburgh Waverley
North Berwick
The seaside town adds beaches, Bass Rock views, Scottish Seabird Centre, and a climb up North Berwick Law.
75km / 50min by train from Edinburgh Waverley to Glasgow Queen Street
Glasgow
Scotland's largest city adds Kelvingrove, Mackintosh architecture, Merchant City, and a stronger music-nightlife focus.
Getting around
Lothian Buses, Edinburgh Trams, airport tram service, and contactless day caps cover most visitor moves. Walk the Old Town-New Town core, use trams for airport-Leith links, and expect steep climbs between Waverley, the Royal Mile, and the Castle.
Planning a Edinburgh trip?
Add your dates and we'll check every place for closures, limited hours, and booking needs in December.
Common questions about Edinburgh in December
- Best rainy-day things to do in Edinburgh in December
December averages 12 rainy days in Edinburgh, so keep these indoor stops as realistic backups.
- National Museum of Scotland — The Chambers Street museum combines Victorian galleries with modern extensions and displays Scottish history, science, natural history, design, world cultures, and Dolly the sheep. It is free and near Greyfriars Kirkyard.
- Royal Yacht Britannia — The former royal yacht served from 1954 to 1997 and is now moored at Ocean Terminal in Leith. The route covers state apartments, crew quarters, engine room, and royal travel history.
- Scottish National Gallery — The gallery on The Mound holds Scottish and European painting, with works by Raeburn, Ramsay, Titian, Velazquez, Turner, Monet, and Van Gogh. It sits between Princes Street Gardens and the Old Town.
- Camera Obscura and World of Illusions — The attraction beside the Castle has operated optical shows since the 19th century and now adds mirrors, lenses, rooftop views, and illusion rooms. It works well in bad weather with children.
- What to pack for Edinburgh in December
Pack for December's weather, not a generic Edinburgh checklist.
- A warm coat and insulating layers for average highs around 7°C / 44°F.
- A heavier evening layer because nights average 1°C / 34°F.
- Compact rain gear and shoes that handle wet pavement across about 12 rainy days.
- How many days do you need in Edinburgh
- 4 days covers the main Edinburgh highlights at a realistic pace. Add 3 extra days if you want the listed day trips.
Ready to plan Edinburgh?
You've seen what's on — now get a day-by-day Edinburgh plan for December 2026, every place checked for your exact dates.