Photo walks
A piper in Highland dress playing the bagpipes below Edinburgh Castle
Explore Edinburgh

What’s on in Edinburgh

Festivals, markets and events. Local guides, honest tips and the best times to go.

By Updated

Photo: nicola dowie / Unsplash

In short

Edinburgh’s calendar is built around two peaks: the August festivals, including the Fringe, and the winter season of Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay. Edinburgh’s Christmas 2026 runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027 in Princes Street Gardens and on George Street.

People crossing Princes Street by the Scott Monument and the Christmas big wheelChristmas

Cover story

Edinburgh at Christmas: the 2026 guide

Edinburgh's Christmas 2026 runs 14 November to 3 January. Market dates, where everything is, Hogmanay and local tips on beating the crowds.

Read the guide

Where to go

Places worth the trip

All photo spots
The Dugald Stewart Monument on Calton Hill overlooking the Edinburgh skyline at golden hour01Calton HillEast EndBest: sunriseDean Village and the Water of Leith at sunrise02Dean VillageWest EndBest: early morningHouses and greenery on Circus Lane, Stockbridge03Circus LaneStockbridgeBest: grey daysColourful shopfronts on Victoria Street in the Old Town04Victoria StreetOld TownBest: before 8amLooking out over Edinburgh from Arthur’s Seat05Arthur's SeatHolyrood ParkBest: golden hourA carved dog on a gravestone in Greyfriars Kirkyard06Greyfriars KirkyardOld TownBest: misty daysStone buildings beside the Water of Leith07The Shore, LeithLeithBest: blue hourPortobello Beach and the promenade at night08Portobello BeachPortobelloBest: sunrise

Good to know

What’s on questions

When is the Edinburgh Christmas market 2026?

Edinburgh’s Christmas runs from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The main Traditional Christmas Market is in East Princes Street Gardens and is free to enter.

When is the Edinburgh Fringe?

The Fringe takes place every August alongside the Edinburgh International Festival and other festivals. Accommodation books up months ahead, so plan early.

Do you need tickets for Hogmanay in Edinburgh?

The Street Party and Torchlight Procession are ticketed and often sell out. Free events run on New Year’s Day. Check edinburghshogmanay.com for this year’s programme.

More guides

All guides
Edinburgh Castle above Old Town buildings and a stone staircaseEssentials
The best things to do in Edinburgh: 30 picks from a localThe best things to do in Edinburgh, from the Castle and Arthur's Seat to Dean Village, Leith and Portobello, with a local's tips on when to go and what to skip.6 min readUpdated 4 November 2026
The Balmoral clock tower and Scott Monument at golden hourPlanning
The best time to visit Edinburgh: a month-by-month guideWhen to visit Edinburgh, month by month, with the weather, daylight, crowds and the festivals and events worth planning around, from a local.3 min readUpdated 4 November 2026
The red Forth Bridge under a clear blue skyDay trips
The best day trips from EdinburghEasy day trips from Edinburgh by train or bus, including the Forth Bridges, North Berwick, Stirling, Linlithgow and Glasgow.3 min readUpdated 4 November 2026

Explore

More of the city

Edinburgh Castle above Old Town buildings and a stone staircaseThings to doThe essentials and the hidden onesThe Greyfriars Bobby pub in the Old Town, with outdoor seatingFood & drinkBrunch to whiskyThe Balmoral clock tower and Scott Monument at golden hourPlan a tripItineraries and practical tipsThe red Forth Bridge under a clear blue skyDay tripsBy train and busVisitors inside a museum gallery in EdinburghRainy daysWhich you’ll getLooking out over Edinburgh from Arthur’s SeatFree thingsNo ticket needed
A walker on Circus Lane in Stockbridge

Only Edinburgh Photo Walks

Get photographed in Edinburgh

Small, relaxed photo walks with a local photographer, at the spots in this guide. Holiday portraits, couples and proposals, or learn to shoot the city yourself.

See photo walks