Edinburgh at new year with a 4 year old.

[pollylocketpickedapocket]

As the title says. I quite fancy this, I'm a single mum so just dd and I. Obviously we won't be out late, is there any daytime or early evening activities geared towards small children at this time of year?
Any tips or ideas gratefully received!
Thank you.

[LifeIsBusy]

Yes... However covid may be a big issje.... There is the German Market which opens up and there are loads of stalls and little rides for the kids and its all super amazing. On new years day there is a free game to play where you turn up at the musean and roll a dice and it gives you a venue to try and you go to the venue try out the activity and then move on. I worked at it for a few years and some of the venues are really cool from good old folk scotts stories to ceilidh dancing. The whole event is aimed at families 😁... Like I said... Covid is around so I'm not sure if any of it will be running.

[pollylocketpickedapocket]

Ok thank you.. trying to hope things will be as normal as they can possibly be!

[rookiemere]

I can't see the German market or concert being on this year.

[WaltzingBetty]

Christmas markets are already cancelled this year AFAIK

[Apolloanddaphne]

I don't think anything will be on at all at Hogmanay in Edinburgh this year. It will be dead. I wouldn't bother coming.

[Ricekrispie22]

There are loads of events each year that are specifically organised for families.
In 2019/2020, the main family events were Bairns Afore on NYE and the Family Ceilidh on NYD. Bairns Afore is fireworks and family entertainment earlier in the evening.
In terms of the regular events, children are welcome (with a parent) to take part in or watch the Torchlight Procession, afternoon concerts and events, candlelight concert at St. Giles, the ceilidh dancing, and Loony Dook. There are also the Edinburgh Christmas market, rides, and attractions which have a dedicated children’s area. Buy your torch procession tickets in advance as they can sell out quickly
Outside of the main festival, there are many other family-friendly events that children are welcome at. Both the National Museum of Scotland and The Queen’s Hall normally host family-friendly Hogmanay events. Last year there was a magical giant lantern display at the zoo.
Also, the winter wonderland in Princess Street Gardens stays open for the duration. In previous years there’s been a Christmas tree maze, ice rink, fairground rides, star flyer and the giant Ferris wheel.

[emmathedilemma]

I honestly wouldn't bother! Things shut down early on New Year's Eve, everything in closed on NYD, very limited opening hours for things that are open on the 2nd Jan, seriously reduced bus services (think one route an hour instead of 6 routes every 10-20min), it's barely even daylight if the weather is bad, the Christmas markets are a load of overpriced tat and I don't see how they would appeal to a 4 year old, there's usually some tacky fairground rides in Princes St Gardens that you'll need to remortgage your home to pay for, and the torchlight procession involves standing around in the cold and dark for hours waiting for it to start. Sorry, I'm being a bit bah humbug about this but I've always found NY in Edinburgh pretty miserable with kids compared to other times of the year.

[Cakestandkitchen]

New Year in Edinburgh has already been cancelled this year. It was called off a while ago.