Christmas lights over Regent Street at night
November to January

Christmas markets and winter lights

Where to find markets and lights, with the organizers' own dates.

Most Christmas markets open in mid-November and run to Christmas or the new year. Each one below links to its organizer, because opening days and hours change.

Dates marked as checked come from the organizer's page on Oct 25, 2026. Where a page gave no date for the coming season, we say "usually" and show what the last edition did.

Dates: where a date is shown, it comes from the organizer's own page (last checked Oct 25, 2026). Where it says "usually", the date is not confirmed: use the official link.

Dated events

Edinburgh

Edinburgh runs its market, rides and ice attractions across several sites in the city center.

Other cities

Before you go

  • Go on a weekday afternoon. Weekend evenings are the busiest.
  • Opening hours change on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Read the organizer's page the week before.
  • Stalls take cards in many places, but bring a little cash for the smaller ones.
  • Wrap up. Most of these sites are outdoors and the ground can be wet.

Sources

Pages we opened to write this guide. Organizers change dates: check before you book.

More: All events · Edinburgh · Bath · Free and cheap

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