Winter is well and truly upon us, and with it comes the Christmas season in Scotland. Whether this is your first time experiencing the winter holidays in Edinburgh or you already know what to expect, we’ve brought you a list of activities to help you embrace the festive period – and some interesting facts about Scottish Christmas! 

Illegal Christmas celebrations? 

Did you know that Christmas was banned in Scotland for almost 400 years? Before 1560, Christmas in Scotland was celebrated as a religious holiday. However, due to a crisis within the Catholic Church and the subsequent Protestant Reformation across Europe, the Kirk (the Church of Scotland) became deeply suspicious of anything related to Roman Catholicism. Eventually the Scottish Parliament passed a law in 1640 which made Christmas illegal, and celebrating Christmas was deeply frowned upon in Scotland for centuries. This is why New Year’s celebrations became so important (more on this later)! Today, Christmas celebrations in Scotland draw upon many other traditions found across countries in Europe. You'll see Christmas trees lighting up people's houses and wreaths on the front door, and there will be Christmas trees and decorations in the streets, particularly in the city centre. Families will gather to exchange gifts on Christmas Day and enjoy a hearty meal.   

It’s worth remembering that Christmas Day and Boxing Day (25th and 26th December) are public holidays in Scotland, so most tourist attractions and shops will be closed. Make sure to check out opening times in advance if you’re planning to go sightseeing! 

What can I do in Edinburgh over the Christmas holidays? 

From the end of November to early January, Edinburgh will host a wide range of activities and events to celebrate the festive season. Here are some of our favourites: 

• Visit the Christmas Markets: East Princes Street Gardens host the city’s Christmas Markets, featuring stalls with local and international producers selling everything from handmade gifts to tasty treats and delicious drinks. These are free to enter but can get quite busy, especially over the weekend! The markets are open from 15th November 2024 to 4th January 2025. 
• Try ice skating: for a fun winter activity, visit the Ice Rink on George Street and skate along the Georgian skyline of Edinburgh’s New Town! The Ice Rink is open from 22nd November 2024 to 4th January 2025. 
• Admire the festive lights: if you’re looking for festive lights to brighten the dark winter days, check out some of the light shows hosted by various attractions around the city! Christmas at the Botanics is a great light show taking place in the afternoon and evening in the Botanical Gardens. Absolutely worth a visit, but make sure to bundle up and stay warm! 
• Feel festive at Potterrow! Potterrow is hosting a range of FREE seasonal events, from film screenings to live performances in the Dome, workshops to karaoke nights and more. 
• Celebrate Hogmanay: Hogmanay is the name for New Year’s Eve in Scotland. Celebrations for New Year’s became especially popular when Christmas was banned, and Edinburgh now hosts one of the world’s biggest and most famous Hogmanay street parties, with an amazing fireworks display. Celebrations start on 29th December with a torchlight procession. 

What are your favourite ways to celebrate the winter holidays in Edinburgh? You can write your own blog post to share them with your Buddies! Whether you celebrate Christmas or not, we hope we have a restful winter break and enjoy the festive season.