Edinburgh Christmas and Hogmanay 2026 events: market, big wheel, torchlight and street party

Edinburgh's winter, from the market to Hogmanay

Edinburgh does winter on a big scale. The Christmas programme opens in mid-November, runs through December and flows straight into Hogmanay, the city's New Year celebration. That gives you seven weeks of things to do, which is a long time to find a reason to meet someone.

This page picks the main events from two official sources: Edinburgh.org and the Edinburgh's Hogmanay programme. We read both on 11 November 2026. We give dates, times and places as they state them, and we say when a price or detail is not given.

Programmes change and some events need tickets, so use the links to confirm before you plan.

The events at a glance

Source: Edinburgh.org and the Edinburgh's Hogmanay programme, read on 11 November 2026. Check the official pages for tickets, exact times and updates.

Official pages with tickets and details

• Edinburgh's Christmas East Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh

  Market, Big Wheel and Starflyer, Edinburgh.org page

  Official site
• Torchlight Procession Edinburgh city streets

  29 December, official Hogmanay programme

  Official site
• Night Afore Party with The Fratellis Beneath Edinburgh Castle

  30 December, official Hogmanay programme

  Official site
• Hogmanay Street Party Edinburgh city centre

  31 December, official Hogmanay programme

  Official site
• Hogmanay in the Gardens with Underworld Gardens beneath Edinburgh Castle

  31 December, official Hogmanay programme

  Official site
• First Footin' Venues across Edinburgh

  Free live music trail on New Year's Day

  Official site

How to choose, and who to go with

For an easy first meeting, the Christmas market is the one. It is free to enter, it is outdoors with plenty to look at, and you can drift in and out. A trip on the Big Wheel is a good shared moment if you want something to remember, though check the official page for prices before you queue.

For a group of friends, Hogmanay week is the highlight. The Torchlight Procession on 29 December and the Night Afore Party on 30 December give you two nights to build up to the big one, and you do not need to commit to all of them.

Hogmanay on 31 December is a huge event, so plan ahead. Decide where you will meet, how you will get home and what you will do if you get separated. Share your location with a friend, and agree a backup meeting point.

On New Year's Day, First Footin' is a free live music trail across the city, so it is a relaxed way to start the year with someone you met the night before, or someone new.

How to go with someone new

1. Pick an event from the table and open its official page to check tickets and times.
2. Message the plan with the event name, the time and a meeting point away from the busiest spot.
3. Dress for the weather and plan your way home before you go out.
4. Finish with a hot drink or a bite so the night has a natural second half.

Cafes in Edinburgh for a warm-up

Place names come from map data contributors. Opening times and quality vary, so check before you go.

Keep going

• Meet new people in Edinburgh
• Gardens and galleries for a first date in Edinburgh
• Events near you