A lowdown of all of Edi’s Christmas events and extravaganzas

With the Teviot Christmas light switch last Friday, it only means one thing – Christmas is coming! Yes, in Scotland, that does mean that we get around 10 hours of daylight per week, and end-of-term exams are fast approaching, but hopefully, our list of all the Christmassy things to look forward to will get you excited!

Christmas Markets and Fairs

Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market, opening Saturday 19th November

Everyone’s favourite Edi Christmas fair on Princes Street Gardens is back for another year. Fit with a carousel, an artisanal market and enough mulled wine to make that one aunt of yours blackout, this is a must for all Edi students. Be there, or be square.

Christmas Fair in Jupiter’s Artland, 3rd and 4th of December

Tickets: £0-£10

Jupiter Artland, just outside the city of Edinburgh, is an art gallery and contemporary sculpture park. This year, their magical gardens have become a Winter Wonderland fit for everyone. Whether you want to admire the art, meet their festive Christmas donkeys, or take part in their wreath-making masterclass, this fair is set to be enchanting.

Summerhall Christmas Market, 3rd and 4th of December

Tickets: £3

For the first time, Summerhall’s annual Christmas market will be laid out over the entire weekend instead of its usual one day. If you’re in need of some last-minute artisanal Christmas presents for your family before you go back home, this is the place to go.

Christmassy events

George Street ice skating rink, 26th November to 3rd January

Tickets: from £10

Because who wouldn’t want to miss George Street’s ice skating, also known as Lidl on Ice? It would especially be a cute first date idea because if you don’t get the ick from watching your date fall over on the rink, you know that they’re the one for you.

The Snow Queen Ballet at Festival Theatre, 19th November to 10th December

Tickets: from £19

Based on the beloved winter tale by author Hans Christian Anderson, this ballet will transport you to the Snow Queen’s Palace and her enchanted kingdom. If you’re looking for an escape from the stress of uni deadlines and exams, this ballet is ideal to whisk you away to another world for a few hours.

Winter Concert, Reid Concert Hall 20th November

Tickets: £4-7 + booking fee

This is the Edinburgh University Brass Band’s annual Winter concert set in the beautiful Reid Concert Hall in the College of Art.

Big Cheese Exam Stress Relief Party, Potterrow 26th November

Tickets: £5-7

Claimed to be one of the biggest nights of the semester, get ready for not just your classic Big Cheese night out, but one with a bouncy castle and free pizza. Whilst not exactly, a Christmassy event, the chance to jump on a bouncy castle is an absolute no brainer.

Christmas at the Botanics, Royal Botanical Gardens 17th November to 30th December

Tickets: free-£78

Immerse yourselves in a world of trees dripping in what seem like jewels, dancing reflections on the lake, shimmering tunnels and light displays at the Royal Botanical Gardens. There is no better way to get lost in the Christmas spirit than in an other-worldly experience, fit with a spiced winter warmer and toasted marshmallows, especially when the proceeds from your ticket go to help conservation work

The Muppet Christmas Carol: Film With Live Orchestra, Usher Hall 29th November

Tickets: £32.50-£72.05

This childhood classic of watching The Muppet’s Christmas Carol is set to become even more nostalgic as now you get to watch this movie with a live orchestra in the background.

St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh, Potterrow 30th November 

Tickets: £6

If you’re a bit of a Scrooge and refuse to get into the Christmas spirit (or simply don’t celebrate Christmas, celebrating St Andrew’s Day with a ceilidh is a perfect way to still be festive as well as dancing away your end-of-year woes. Make sure to grab your tickets soon, as they are expected to sell out fast.

Christmas Afternoon Tea, Edinburgh Castle December 2022

Prices: £22 – £35

A lovely way to spend your afternoon both getting into the Christmas spirit with a festive afternoon tea and also being able to experience the beauty and history of Edinburgh Castle. With a menu that serves specialities from all over Scotland, you can wash it all down with a tasty Edinburgh Castle mulled wine. Make sure to pre-book as spaces sell out fast!

Meet Santa Claus at Cold Town House, on the 5th, 12th and 19th of December

Tickets: £12-17

Because who wouldn’t want to have breakfast with Santa and his elves? But don’t worry, you won’t need to go all the way to Lapland to meet him, but simply down to Cold Town House on Hay Market to not only share breakfast with Santa but also receive a present from him.

Therapets, Bristo Square 7th and 13th of December

Every stressed-out student’s favourite, Therapets is back for another exam season. Who needs actual therapy when you can spend 5 minutes of your day stroking an animal in Bristo Square? Make sure to grab a ticket, as although they are free, booking is required to meet and pet a therapy-approved dog, there specially to help you through your exam anxieties.

Viennese Christmas Spectacular by Candlelight, St Giles Cathedral 9th and 16th of December

Tickets: £24 + booking fee

If you’re into something slightly more high-brow than a live orchestra of The Muppet Christmas Carol (or maybe simply slightly more simple), the Viennese Orchestra is the one for you. Be ready to experience not merely traditional Christmas carols but music from Tchaikovsky’s Sleeping Beauty and The Nutcracker as well as many other composers to whisk you away to a wintery world.

There we go with our guide to the best Edit Christmas events! Just make sure to check if you need to book for these events or not so that you don’t miss out.

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