What’s on in Edinburgh this Winter 2024

What’s on this Winter?

As winter blankets Edinburgh in a cosy embrace, the city transforms into a wonderland of festive cheer and enchanting experiences. From family-friendly adventures to cultural festivals, there’s something for everyone to enjoy amidst the crisp winter air. Let’s embark on a journey through Edinburgh’s winter wonderland with a closer look at the top attractions and events across various categories.

Family-Friendly Things to Do: Winter in Edinburgh offers a host of family-friendly activities to create cherished memories. Glide across the ice at the Edinburgh Christmas Ice Rink in St Andrew Square, where laughter fills the air and twinkling lights set the scene for a magical experience. Take a ride on the Christmas Wheel for panoramic views of the city adorned in sparkling decorations. For a touch of nostalgia, explore the Christmas markets along Princes Street Gardens, where little ones can marvel at festive displays and indulge in sweet treats.  Learn more

Events and Festivals: Edinburgh comes alive with festive spirit during the winter months, hosting a plethora of events and festivals to celebrate the season. The Edinburgh Christmas Market, one of the most anticipated events of the year, transforms the city into a winter wonderland with its charming stalls, fairground rides, and live entertainment. Don’t miss the annual Edinburgh’s Christmas festivities, featuring enchanting light displays, theatrical performances, and Santa’s Grotto, where children can share their wishes with the jolly man himself. Learn more

Best Sights and Landmarks: Winter casts a magical spell over Edinburgh’s iconic sights and landmarks, transforming them into enchanting winter wonderlands. Marvel at the majestic Edinburgh Castle, illuminated against the night sky, and stroll along the Royal Mile, adorned with festive decorations and bustling with holiday shoppers. For panoramic views of the city blanketed in snow, climb Arthur’s Seat or venture to Calton Hill, where you can capture breath-taking photographs of Edinburgh’s winter beauty. Learn more

In conclusion, Edinburgh’s winter wonderland offers a magical escape filled with festive cheer, enchanting experiences, and seasonal delights. Whether you’re exploring the Christmas markets, enjoying family-friendly activities, or admiring the city’s iconic landmarks adorned in twinkling lights, Edinburgh promises an unforgettable winter getaway for all to enjoy.

Music, Theatre and Comedy

December 2024
Panto: Adventures of Peter Pan, Festival Theatre, 25Nov – 31 Dec
Bay City Rollers: Rollin’ Into Christmas, La Belle Angele,1 Dec
Christmas at the Movies, St Giles’ Cathedral, 1 Dec
Richard Herring’s Leicester Square Theatre Podcast, Queens Hall, 2 Dec
The Darkness, O2 Academy, 5 Dec
The Bootleg Beatles, Usher Hall, 6 Dec
Love Actually In Concert: Film with Live Orchestra, Usher Hall, 7 Dec
Wicked, Edinburgh Playhouse, 7 Dec – 14 Jan
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons: Live, St Giles’ Cathedral, 8 Dec
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Christmas, St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral, 9 Dec
Los Pacaminos Feat. Paul Young, La Belle Angele, 10Dec
Handel’s Messiah Highlights at Christmas, St Giles’ Cathedral, 11 – 12 Dec
The View, O2 Academy, 13 Dec
Alexis French, Queens Hall, 14 Dec
Viennese Christmas Spectacular, St Giles’ Cathedral, 15Dec
The Unthanks, Usher Hall, 16 Dec
China Crisis, Queens Hall, 17 Dec
Dancing in a Winter Wonderland with Aljaz and Janette, Usher Hall, 17 Dec
Vivaldi’s Four Seasons at Christmas, St Giles’ Cathedral,18 & 22 Dec
Fun Lovin’ Criminals, La Belle Angele, 21 Dec

January 2024

Wicked, Edinburgh Playhouse, 7 Dec – 14 Jan
Scottish Ballet: Cinders, Festival Theatre, 6 – 20 Jan
The Classic Rock Show 2024, Usher Hall, 16 Jan
Varna International Ballet: Sleeping Beauty, Edinburgh Playhouse, 18 Jan
Varna International Ballet: Nutcracker, Edinburgh Playhouse, 19 Jan
Varna International Ballet: Swan Lake, Edinburgh Playhouse, 20 Jan
A Country Night in Nashville, Edinburgh Playhouse, 21Jan
Shrek The Musical, Edinburgh Playhouse, 22 – 27 Jan
The Magic of Motown, Festival Theatre, 25 Jan
Queen & Fleetwood Mac Tribute, O2 Academy, 26 Jan

February 2024

Rock Orchestra by Candlelight, Edinburgh Playhouse, 4Feb
Go West & Wet Wet Wet, Usher Hall, 6 Feb
Jesus Christ Superstar, Edinburgh Playhouse, 6 – 10 Feb
Barbara Dickson: One Last Time Farewell Tour, Festival Theatre, 11 Feb
The Wizard of Oz, Edinburgh Playhouse, 13 – 17 Feb
James Acaster: Hecklers Welcome, Edinburgh Playhouse, 20 – 22 Feb
Girls Night Oot! Edinburgh Playhouse, 23 Feb
Matt Green: That Guy, The Stand, 25 Feb
Nabil Abdulrashid: The Purple Pill, The Stand, 27 Feb
Peter Pan Goes Wrong, Edinburgh Playhouse, 27 Feb –2 Mar

Festivals & Special Events

December 2024

Christmas at The Botanics, RBGE, 16 Nov – 30 Dec
Edinburgh’s Christmas, various venues, 17 Nov – 6 Jan
Castle of Light, Edinburgh Castle, 24 Nov – 3 Jan (selected dates)
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, various venues, 29 Dec – 1 Jan
Magic Fest, various venues, TBC

January 2024

Edinburgh’s Christmas, various venues, 17 Nov – 6 Jan
Castle of Light, Edinburgh Castle, 24 Nov – 3 Jan (selected dates)
Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, various venues, 29 Dec – 1 Jan
Burns and Beyond, various venues, 25 – 28 Jan

February 2024
Manipulate Festival, various venues, TBC
Edinburgh Mountain Film Festival, George Square, TBC

Activities and Experiences

December 2024

Harris Tweed Handbag Workshop, Islander Workshop, every Tue & Fri
Edinburgh Cheese Crawl, Comely Bank, every Sat
The Polar Express Train Ride, Waverley Station, 30 Nov– 22 Dec
Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, 5, 8, 12 & 19 Dec

January 2024
Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, TBC

February 2024

Party Like Gatsby: The Grand Extravaganza, O2Academy, 23 Feb
Edinburgh Ceilidh Club, various venues, TBC

Markets and Fairs

Edinburgh Farmers Market, Castle Terrace, every Sat
Grassmarket Weekly Market, Grassmarket, every Sat
Leith Market, Dock Place, every Sat
Ocean Terminal Market, Ocean Terminal, every Sat &Sun
Edinburgh Car Boot Sale, O2 Academy, every Sat & Sun (except Christmas and New Year)
Christmas Market, Princes Street Gardens, TBC
Edinburgh Flea Market, Out of the Blue Drill Hall, TBC

Museums, Galleries and Exhibitions

December 2024

Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year, Bonnie &Wild, 1 Feb – 31 Jan
Alberta Whittle: create dangerously, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 1 Apr – 7 Jan
Decades: The Art of Change 1900–1980, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 29 Apr – 7 Jan
Connecting Histories, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh,30 Jun – 14 Apr
Scottish Women Artists, Dovecot Studios., 28 Jul – 6 Jan
Uniquely Scottish Silver, National Museum of Scotland,5 Aug – 26 May
Rising Tide, National Museum of Scotland, 12 Aug – 14Apr
Windrush Legacy Creative Reflections, Museum of Edinburgh, 2 Sep – 28 Jan
The Scottish Landscape Awards, City Art Centre, 4 Nov– 3 Mar
Deep Rooted, City Art Centre, 18 Nov – 25 Feb
Rembrandt to Rego: The Printmaker’s Art, Royal Scottish Academy, 2 Dec – 25 Feb

January 2024

Scottish Landscape Photographer of the Year, Bonnie &Wild, 1 Feb – 31 Jan
Alberta Whittle: create dangerously, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 1 Apr – 7 Jan
Decades: The Art of Change 1900–1980, Scottish National Gallery of Modern Art, 29 Apr – 7 Jan
Connecting Histories, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh,30 Jun – 14 Apr
Scottish Women Artists, Dovecot Studios, 28 Jul – 6 Jan
Uniquely Scottish Silver, National Museum of Scotland,5 Aug – 26 May
Rising Tide, National Museum of Scotland, 12 Aug – 14Apr
Windrush Legacy Creative Reflections, Museum of Edinburgh, 2 Sep – 28 Jan
Making Space: Photographs of Architecture, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 7 Oct – 3 Mar
Monarchs of the Glen, Dovecot Studios, 14 Oct – 2 Mar
The Scottish Landscape Awards, City Art Centre, 4 Nov– 3 Mar
Deep Rooted, City Art Centre, 18 Nov – 25 Feb
Rembrandt to Rego: The Printmaker’s Art, Royal Scottish Academy, 2 Dec – 25 Feb

February 2024

Uniquely Scottish Silver, National Museum of Scotland,5 Aug – 26 May
Rising Tide, National Museum of Scotland, 12 Aug – 14 Apr
Making Space: Photographs of Architecture, Scottish National Portrait Gallery, 7 Oct – 3 Mar
Monarchs of the Glen, Dovecot Studios, 14 Oct – 2 Mar
The Scottish Landscape Awards, City Art Centre, 4 Nov– 3 Mar
Deep Rooted, City Art Centre, 18 Nov – 25 Feb
Rembrandt to Rego: The Printmaker’s Art, Royal Scottish Academy, 2 Dec – 25 Feb

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