Edinburgh Christmas Market?

[SimplyPut]

We have a free weekend before Christmas and fancy taking the DC's to Edinburgh for a few nights.

Only 2hrs away so ideal for leaving when school closes on Friday afternoon and home Sunday afternoon.

Now to decide where to stay, eat, hang out etc.
Looking for all your recommendations please!

I’m also interested to know this. Very long drive for me though so not sure it’s worth it.

We stay at the murrayfield hotel. Its about a 20min walk or a short bus ride into the centre. Lovely hotel and good prices.

As for things to do with only 2 nights i imagine the market would be enough. They do do shows and there is a wall of light or something you can book tickets too.

Mary kings close is good.

The market has loads of different european food stalls and if u did stay at the murrayfield hotel they do food. Have never eaten there as we tend to go out for the day but it certainly looks nice.

Thank you. Love Edinburgh and have done Mary Kings Close previously. We always take the DC's for a few nights during the fringe but have never been at Christmas. The market is top of our list for the Saturday daytime.

Have heard the Dome have a must see Christmas tree 🎄 so thinking afternoon tea there on the Sunday.

Any dinner recommendations for Saturday night with 3DC's? Love Kyole but worried mid festive night out season!

The last time I went for the Xmas market was with my DM and we stayed at the Ibis at St Andrew's Square. 2 mins walk from Waverley and Prince's St.

I've never actually eaten in the Done but have heard very good things. We are across the road from the Dome, I think it was called the printing press? I've never been with kids so not much help on that front.

The giant Xmas tree in Jenners is always gorgeous, maybe even a ghost tour thrown in since it will be dark early?

I've just realised I only go to Edinburgh to drink and shop... 🙄

Zoo might do great lights of china again it was amazing. If going to the dome try book asap as it gets incredibly busy. I booked at the start of january for november

We went to the dome over christmas and i didnt rate the food really and felt like we were rushed through. Id maybe book for a drink tbh or you can just walk in for a look around.

Well the Dome is booked out so perhaps just a drink. Any suggestions for dinner?

Premier Inn on Princes Street was perfect if you don't have a car to park. In the middle of everything.

Edinburgh is fab at christmas, i’m lucky enough to stay here. There is so much to see and do, this is a link to the Edinburgh Christmas site, it will give you a better idea of whats on, costings etc, www.edinburghschristmas.com/#stq=&stp=1
As for dinner recommendations it really depends what you and your family enjoy. The Dome is beautiful but very busy in December and in all honesty the food and service suffers for it. There are lots of other places in George Street and the streets that run just off it, definitely something for everyone.

The Dome is overrated anyway. They’ll have massive garlands (and possibly fake snow) outside so it’s not hard to get a nice photo. If I’m in Edinburgh over Christmas I’d take the Christmas market food over eating in somewhere at lunch.

Vittorias Italian restaurant on George IV Bridge is our favourite for family dining, it's over the road from the museum.

Botanic Gardens are doing a massive light show too.

Best breakfast/brunch spot is the City Cafe on Blair Street, just off the High Street. Booths, juke box styling, epic food, waffles and milkshakes, a true Edinburgh institution.

You'll need to book for the Dome. Also for ice skating.

I would second vittorias Italian, it's lovely and is v relaxed with good service.
The market is definitely one of the nicest ones. Lots for kids to do on the lower level as well - make sure you take them into the Christmas tree maze. Going up in the big wheel and seeing all the Christmas lights can be lovely too, and there's ice skating.
Last year we agreed that actually it would be even nicer if we had a DC of our own to bring and decided to start TTC. This year we'll have a 2 month old!

There is often a good family show at the spiegeltent if it's there this year. Or a panto at kings but this will need to be booked early.

Chinese lanterns at Edinburgh zoo were amazing last year.

caroich I hope you have a wonderful first Christmas with your imminent arrival! 😍

We will be taking the car but park and ride is an option. Have eaten in Vittorias before, and their sister restaurant heading to leith... amazing steak pizza 🍕. Kids love food so anything from pub grub to seafood or Thai/ Vietnamese etc.
As the dome is fully booked considering alternatives. Market food a definite for Saturday lunch.

Dome fully booked already?? Crikey. Edinburgh is just mental isn't it. Loads and loads of other options though.

Another vote for Vittorias Italian here it's lovely

You’re not missing much with the dome. We had breakfast there this morning and while a beautiful building the food and drink was not great and the service wasn’t very good either.

The chocolate cafe in Harvey Nichols was good. It’s just a bar on the shop floor with a conveyor belt like to sushi but the food was seleicious and most children love the opportunity to eat chocolate.

The Christms market is hugely crowded and has pretty much the same stuff every year. Fun if you havent been before but we usually give it a miss to be honest.

Cosmo world buffet. It's not fine dining but food is good and lots of choice. You will need to book soon.

Apologies for the typos I was in a taxi on the way to the airport.