10 Things to Do in Edinburgh in December

Seeing all that Edinburgh has to offer is a great plan no matter what time of year you decide to travel to the city. The charms of Scotland's capital are truly impressive, even though it's not a very big city.

If you're visiting in December and you've already had your fill of fun sightseeing activities like a ghost tour of Edinburgh, a sightseeing bus tour of Edinburgh or the iconic Harry Potter tour of Edinburgh, it's time for some off-the-beaten-track activities.

Although Edinburgh is not usually covered in snow in December, the first snow of the winter usually occurs in this month. If you are in town for this important occasion, my advice is to take the opportunity to visit Edinburgh Castle which looks, if possible, even more enchanting under a blanket of fine white snow.

The castle's hilltop setting gives off a magical medieval fairytale glow, especially when viewed in combination with the enchanting Christmas markets and winding streets of the Royal Mile.

Bear in mind that although Edinburgh Castle is the most popular and arguably the most beautiful, it is just one of many castles in Edinburgh. So if you love photography, architecture and wintry landscapes, take this opportunity to get some amazing shots of the city's most iconic landmarks!

Fans of fine whisky will feel right at home in Edinburgh. If you're one of them, don't miss the popular whisky tours, where a group of tourists are taken to visit some of Edinburgh's finest distilleries and then conclude the adventure with a whisky tasting in a luxurious wooden hall.

The cold weather months are the best time to take this adventure, allowing you to warm up while learning about the history of Scotch whisky and the complex process of making it. If you don't know English, the experience is offered in several languages including Spanish.

Useful information

• Price range: From £25 per person.
• Duration of experience: You will need to book one to two hours for this experience.

Stunning icy landscapes, towering snow-capped peaks, mountains imbued with a magical wintry atmosphere... If you spend enough time in Edinburgh, you might want to get out of the city and see the spectacular scenery of the Highlands, the Scottish Highlands which, at this time of year, look even more breathtaking.

This 12-hour tour will also take you to Loch Ness and Stirling Castle, and afterwards you'll have some free time to warm up in a typical Scottish pub. A unique and unmissable experience that is sure to stick in your memory.

Useful information

• Price range: From £73 per person.
• Duration of experience: 12 hours.

Fans of Christmas lights and decorations will love visiting Edinburgh in December because of the care that the city and business owners (of all sizes) put into creating a unique festive atmosphere for tourists and locals to enjoy. My advice is to spend some time wandering the streets and admiring the Christmas lights while sipping a delicious hot drink.

The best places with Christmas lights in Edinburgh

• The Dome: You can't miss The Dome bar and restaurant during the festive season. In this impressive building of Greco-Roman architecture, the pillars that make up the central colonnade are draped in twinkling foliage. Inside you can see a gigantic Christmas tree that reaches all the way to the top of the impressive dome inside.
• George Street: One of Edinburgh's main shopping streets, famous for its luxury shops and numerous boutique hotels that add to the city's festive atmosphere and light show.
• St Andrews Square: The Ivy on the Square is a well-known restaurant that offers fabulous decorations every year. Come and see for yourself. You will find these and other decorations in the square.
• Multrees Walk: Another major shopping street in the city lined with luxury shops, every year they install glittering white Christmas trees, beautiful and elegant.

An excellent way to explore Edinburgh's illuminated streets in December in comfort and, above all, out of the winter cold, is to book a seat on the sightseeing bus. You'll be able to see the city's main sights in their Christmas costumes and, when you feel like it, hop off to explore the surrounding area at one of the bus's 12 stops.

From November to early January, Edinburgh's Christmas market season kicks off. It's definitely the ideal time to shop for family Christmas presents, buy decorations for your home, find a unique handmade piece or simply enjoy a warm drink and a hot meal amidst the festive atmosphere.

If you visit Edinburgh in December you will find that the Christmas markets are numerous and although some are much bigger and more popular, they all have their own particular charm. Here is a short list of the must-see Christmas markets:

• Christmas Market on Princes Street. The largest of all the markets in Edinburgh. With hundreds of stalls, variety and fun are guaranteed. Open daily from 10am to 10pm; from the last weeks of November to the first week of January, except Christmas Day.
• Castle Street Christmas Market: Organised since 2007 by the Local Motive Markets team, it is located in the immediate vicinity of Edinburgh Castle from November until the day before Christmas.
• The Assembly Rooms: The Assembly Rooms in Edinburgh host a two-day art, craft and design fair every Christmas - come along to find beautiful creations!

Every year, in early December, Edinburgh hosts a charity event, the Santa Fun Run & Walk, which aims to raise money for charity. It is one of the most fun things to do if you are visiting Edinburgh with children over the festive season.

The reason? Two particularities make this event fun and interesting for the little ones: firstly, it is a race open to the public and even children can participate; secondly, a mandatory requirement to participate in the race is to be dressed up as Father Christmas.

Where it takes place

It is a 2.5 km run along West Princes Street Gardens. The race takes place in the morning to take advantage of the cooler winter mornings, usually between 9.30am and 11am.

How to buy tickets

Price categories are set according to the age of the participant; about £17 for an adult ticket; about £6 for children aged 5-11; about £3 for children aged 2-4 and free for children under 2.

Known as Edinburgh's festival wheel, this is a large red and white Ferris wheel which is installed in the city only twice a year: in summer during the festival season in August (you can make a note of this if you're travelling in August) and in winter.

The attraction is available from late November to early January, although it's worth checking the official website to keep an eye on the dates.

The Big Wheel, as the locals call it, rises above the surrounding buildings to offer stunning views of the whole of Edinburgh' s historic city centre, with views across the Firth of Forth to the Kingdom of Fife when the weather is clear. Don't miss it!

Where it takes place

The temporary structure of the beautiful Edinburgh Ferris Wheel is set up every year in a prime location in the centre of the Old Town, specifically in East Princes Street Garden. It operates daily from 10am until 10pm.

How to buy tickets

You can purchase your ticket directly from the box office, the cost is approximately £12 per person; family packages for four people are available for £35.

One of the best things to do in Edinburgh in December is to attend the Royal Botanic Gardens' trail of lights.

This light park is installed at the end of November and remains open for the public to enjoy until the first days of January.

The show is carefully staged to impress: flowers, dancing reflections, illuminated trees, coloured lights and music effects are laid out in a magical winter trail through the different areas of the garden.

Where it takes place

The event takes place at the Royal Botanic Garden and can be reached by public transport in the city. The nearest bus stop, called the Royal Botanic Garden, is just a 7 minute walk away.

How to buy tickets

It's a popular activity in the city during this month and even attracts tourists from nearby, so I recommend booking tickets as far in advance as possible via their website.

The Marshmallow Lady is an adorable Edinburgh cafe that you can't miss. Their speciality is their giant, crazy marshmallows served in quirky hot chocolate cups.

You can buy to go or sit in the shop if you can find a table - a social media photo is a must before you take your first sip!

Useful info

• Address and directions: Located at 14 Rodney Street in Mansfield Traquair, the café is very close to the Royal Botanic Gardens, so you can combine your visit to the Marshmallow Lady with a trip to the Park of Lights.
• Opening hours: Closed Tuesday to Thursday; Friday to Sunday, the café is open to the public from 11am to 6pm.
• Pricerange: Between €13 and €30.

Every year, from late November to early January, Edinburgh's most entertaining ice rink is installed in the city, by now a winter season classic.

As well as skating, there are skating lessons for children. Please note that skate hire is available from children's size 9 upwards.

Useful info

• Address and directions: Between Castle Street and Charlotte Square. There are several public transport stops nearby.
• Opening times: The rink is open Monday to Friday from 12.30pm to 9.15pm. On weekends, extended hours are from 10.15am to 9.15pm. On Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve they work with reduced opening hours until 19h.
• Price range: Adult tickets are usually around €12; family tickets for two adults are available from €28. Be aware that prices may increase during peak times, weekends and Friday evenings.

Wander the beautiful streets of Edinburgh's city centre on a fun and quirky adventure: the silent disco! During the tour participants wear hi-tech headphones to tune in to the frequency that the DJ-guide pre-selects for you.

During Christmas in Edinburgh, some local companies offer this experience in a Christmas version that includes exclusively Christmas carol tracks and beats - laughs are more than guaranteed!

Useful information

• Price range: Approximately €20, although this may vary depending on the company you choose.
• Duration of experience: You will need to book at least one hour of your itinerary.