Edinburgh at Christmas

[ReeRi]

I wonder if anyone has any recommendations of things to do in Edinburgh at Christmas as we are going for a few days (including Christmas Day and Boxing Day) and so will also be eating there.

Not sure whether I want a traditional Christmas Dinner (DH probably will) or something else but will probably want to go out for dinner unless the hotel restaurant is pretty special!

Also don’t know what the weather will be like so thinking of keeping things local to the hotel (very central)

And why is Christmas Dinner so expensive?

I suppose it involves people working on Christmas Day 🤔

Have you booked anywhere to eat ?
The hotel might already be full for dinner. You might want to check that out .

It may be a struggle finding somewhere nice to eat on Christmas Day now... most places around us have been booked up for months.

We only booked the hotel and trains yesterday so haven’t booked anything for dinner yet

🙄

Take a Christmas Day/Boxing Day walk up Arthur’s Seat.
Edinburgh Zoo is normally open on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
As little is open Christmas Day might be a great day for photography without the crowds of people in the foreground!
The main Christmas Market is held each year in the Princes Street Gardens. It seems to get bigger each year. It also now is spread out into part of George Street as well where you find even more booths, rides, and attractions. Typically the market at the Princes Street Gardens features traditional European Christmas stalls and is often referred to as the “German Christmas Market”, and the George Street section features Scottish products and is the “Scottish Christmas Market”. There is also usually one stall selling Glayva drinks. Glayva is a local whisky that has a spicy taste and is good on its own or paired with coffee or hot apple juice.
There are a number of places that have special Christmas afternoon teas with the best known being The Dome. The Dome is known for going over the top with its decorations. Time slots for afternoon tea normally fill up several days in advance. The Dome also serves lunch, drinks, and dinner in its bars and restaurants if you’d still like to enjoy the decorations.
The Royal Yacht Britannia is open on Boxing Day and some of the rooms inside the ship are decorated for Christmas as they would have been for the royal family.
The Botanic Garden is open every day apart from the 25th. Each evening in December, they have light trails. It is a really well done display and great for families. You can also buy hot chocolate or mulled wine to enjoy along the trail. There is an entrance fee and you can book tickets online in advance or buy them on site.
www.rbge.org.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-the-botanics-2019/
The city’s nativity scene is typically in St. Andrew Square garden, but in 2019 it will be at the Mound near the large Christmas tree.
If you are into comedy andvariety shows check out the schedule at The Stand which usually offers some special Christmas performances.

Where are you staying? That might help with suggestions 😊

Oh wow thank you @Ricekrispie22 The markets sound great as do the walks. I had seen mention of the Dome in my investigations today. I want to try to book something ASAP at least for Christmas Day dinner / lunch

@margotsdevil We are staying at the Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa at 1 Festival Square, just me and DH, for three nights (24-27)

😊

Ah so lovely and central then 😊

Depends how "top end" you want to go... there's The Witchery up by the Castle. There's also Grazing by Mark Greenaway - which is at the Caledonian hotel just down the street from where you're staying. I've not eaten there yet but I loved his previous restaurant and the new one is getting excellent reviews.

Camera Obscura is fun and worth a visit, and the Edinburgh Gin tour is fabulous although needs to be booked in advance...

@margotsdevil Thank you I will check those out. TBH I don’t want to spend loads as it’s only three nights and I’ve spent a bit on hotel and trains obviously but it it Christmas 🤷🏻‍♀️

Enjoy 😊

The One Spa at the Sheraton is fab, roof top pool and lots of different spa areas. Take a swimsuit and make time for several hours in there. Lucky you!

Thanks @margotsdevil

Thanks @ScapaFlo Thats good to know - it did look like a nice spa, which is one of the reasons why I booked it 😊 I’m thinking if the weather is v had it might be nice to use the facilities indoors