Edinburgh in January
Cold and dark, but Hogmanay carries the month in.
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
January is a reasonable month in Edinburgh — with trade-offs.
January opens with Hogmanay’s final celebrations and Edinburgh’s famous street party, then settles into one of the city’s quietest, cheapest stretches once the first week passes.
January in detail
What January actually feels like
- Weather
- 2–7°C
- Cold, dark and often wet, with short daylight hours
- Crowds
- Moderate (early) / Low (rest of month)
- Busy around Hogmanay and New Year, quiet for the rest of the month
- Prices
- €€
- High around New Year, low for the rest of the month
+Hogmanay’s final days + low prices after New Year
–Cold, short days, with the year’s highest crowds in the first few days
My tip for January
Book months ahead for Hogmanay itself, or arrive just after New Year for a near-empty, much cheaper city.
- Hogmanay (1st–2nd)
- Low prices (rest of month)
How January compares
Against the other eleven months
10th of 12 overall in Edinburgh, 10th for weather, 6th for space, 4th 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 January
- 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 January?
Even stronger months in Edinburgh
Also good in January
Weather
Weather in Edinburgh in January
In January Edinburgh averages a high of 7°C (45°F) and a low of 2°C (36°F), with about 65 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
- 65 mm
- Wet days
- 12
Climate data: Met Office. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Edinburgh in January: the questions people ask
- Is January a good time to visit Edinburgh?
- January is a reasonable month in Edinburgh — with trade-offs. It ranks 10 of 12 months in Edinburgh overall (10 for weather, 6 for space, 4 for value). The main upside: Hogmanay’s final days + low prices after New Year. The main downside: Cold, short days, with the year’s highest crowds in the first few days.
- What is the weather like in Edinburgh in January?
- Average highs are around 7°C and lows around 2°C. Expect about 65 mm of rain or snow over roughly 12 wet days. Cold, dark and often wet, with short daylight hours. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 19°C) and the coolest is January (around 7°C).
- Is Edinburgh crowded in January?
- Crowds are moderate (early) / low (rest of month). Busy around Hogmanay and New Year, quiet for the rest of the month. The quietest month is February.
- How expensive is Edinburgh in January?
- Prices are at level 2 of 5 (€€). High around New Year, low for the rest of the month. 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 (January ranks 10 of 12). The quietest month is February and the best value is February.
Ready to book January in Edinburgh?
Hogmanay’s final days + low prices after New Year
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