Edinburgh in December
Christmas markets, then Hogmanay takes over the city.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
December is a good time to visit Edinburgh.
December brings the Edinburgh Christmas Market to Princes Street Gardens, followed by Hogmanay, Edinburgh’s famous multi-day New Year celebration and street party, widely considered one of the world’s best.
December in detail
What December actually feels like
- Weather
- 2–7°C
- Cold and dark, with the shortest days of the year
- Crowds
- Moderate–High
- Moderate, rising sharply for Hogmanay on 31 December
- Prices
- €€€€
- High, peaking sharply around Hogmanay
+Festive atmosphere, building to Hogmanay’s street party
–Cold, dark, with the year’s highest prices around New Year
My tip for December
Book Hogmanay accommodation as far ahead as possible — the final days of December are Edinburgh’s most expensive and most booked-out of the entire year.
- Christmas markets
- Hogmanay
How December compares
Against the other eleven months
4th of 12 overall in Edinburgh, 10th for weather, 10th for space, 11th for value. The emptiest month is February; the best value is February.
See all twelve months for EdinburghPlan around
What’s on in Edinburgh in December
- Hogmanay
- Edinburgh's multi-day New Year celebration and street party is one of the world's best known. Book accommodation as far ahead as possible — it is Edinburgh's most expensive and most booked-out stretch outside the Fringe.
31 December–1 January
Not set on December?
Even stronger months in Edinburgh
Also good in December
Weather
Weather in Edinburgh in December
In December Edinburgh averages a high of 7°C (45°F) and a low of 2°C (36°F), with about 67 mm of rain or snow over 12 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 19°C) and the coolest is January (around 7°C); the wettest month is October.
- Average high
- 7°C
- 45°F
- Average low
- 2°C
- 36°F
- Precipitation
- 67 mm
- Wet days
- 12
Climate data: Met Office. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Edinburgh in December: the questions people ask
- Is December a good time to visit Edinburgh?
- December is a good time to visit Edinburgh. It ranks 4 of 12 months in Edinburgh overall (10 for weather, 10 for space, 11 for value). The main upside: Festive atmosphere, building to Hogmanay’s street party. The main downside: Cold, dark, with the year’s highest prices around New Year.
- What is the weather like in Edinburgh in December?
- Average highs are around 7°C and lows around 2°C. Expect about 67 mm of rain or snow over roughly 12 wet days. Cold and dark, with the shortest days of the year. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 19°C) and the coolest is January (around 7°C).
- Is Edinburgh crowded in December?
- Crowds are moderate–high. Moderate, rising sharply for Hogmanay on 31 December. The quietest month is February.
- How expensive is Edinburgh in December?
- Prices are at level 4 of 5 (€€€€). High, peaking sharply around Hogmanay. The best-value month is February.
- When is the best time to visit Edinburgh?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, June is the best month overall (December ranks 4 of 12). The quietest month is February and the best value is February.
Ready to book December in Edinburgh?
Festive atmosphere, building to Hogmanay’s street party
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