We confirmed 11 Christmas events for kids in Edinburgh for 2026, from 13 November to 21 February. One of them is free. Every listing links straight to the host. This page is part of our guide to Christmas events for kids in the UK.
The short version
- 11 kids’ Christmas events confirmed for 2026 in Edinburgh and Lasswade
- First: Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns, Edinburgh, 13 November
- Free events: Edinburgh's Christmas
Below is every event we could confirm, grouped by area, with the date, time, price and the small things parents ask about (booking, ages, what is included).
Edinburgh Christmas events for kids at a glance
- Kids’ Christmas events
- 11 confirmed for 2026
- Areas
- Edinburgh and Lasswade
- Season
- 13 November to 21 February
- Free events
- 1
- Last checked
Christmas events for kids in Edinburgh
10 confirmed events in Edinburgh, soonest first.
Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns
Christmas lightsEdinburgh Zoo (RZSS) · Edinburgh
- Host
- Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS
- When
- Selected nights, Nov 13 to Feb 21, from 4:45 pm
- Price
- From £14
- Ages
- All ages
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns trail returns for winter 2026 with a new theme, a journey beyond the stars. Families follow an outdoor route lit by glowing galaxies and towering cosmic creatures, and the zoo bills it as a family friendly trail for all ages. A trail map can be downloaded from the event page before you go.
The trail runs on 60 selected nights from Friday 13 November 2026 to Sunday 21 February 2027, with entry from 4:45pm, last entry at 8pm and closing at 9pm. Tickets start from £14 and vary between off peak and standard nights, and there is an optional £5 Flexi Cover add on that lets you move your booking. One designated evening is adults only and two are quiet nights, so check the calendar if your child prefers a calmer visit. In December you can also book a separate Santa grotto slot on the route.
Parent tip: Quiet night evenings are listed for families who prefer fewer crowds and less noise. Dress warmly, as the trail is outdoors.
See dates and details from Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS) (opens in a new tab)Edinburgh's Christmas
Christmas lightsFreeEdinburgh's Christmas · Edinburgh
- Host
- Edinburgh's Christmas (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- East and West Princes Street Gardens, Princes Street, Edinburgh EH2 2HG
- When
- Daily, Nov 14 to Jan 3
- Price
- Free entry; rides and attractions charged separately
- Ages
- All ages
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Edinburgh's Christmas is the city's main festive celebration, spread across East and West Princes Street Gardens and George Street from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027. The Traditional Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens is free to enter, with around 70 stalls, and sits beside the LNER Big Wheel and the Starflyer.
West Princes Street Gardens is the family side of the festival. Here you will find the Festive Family Funfair with rides and food stalls, a Santa Letter Writing Station and Post Box for posting letters to the North Pole, Winter Windows illuminations made with local schools, and community and family events at the Ross Bandstand. The Santa's Stories grotto is also in these gardens and is booked separately. Walking around is free, while rides and ticketed attractions are paid for individually, so you can make it a cheap evening or a bigger treat.
Parent tip: Writing and posting a letter to Santa at the West Princes Street Gardens post box is a free way to spend part of the visit.
See dates and details from Edinburgh's Christmas (opens in a new tab)Christmas at the Botanics 2026
Meet SantaRoyal Botanic Garden Edinburgh · Edinburgh
- Host
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Arboretum Place, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ
- When
- Evenings, Nov 19 to Dec 30
- Price
- Ticketed via Ticketek; reduced family tickets available
- Ages
- Families, friends and couples
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Christmas at the Botanics turns the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh into an illuminated evening trail for families, friends and couples. Highlights named on the garden's page include a Laser Garden, a Light Sphere, the Christmas Cathedral and the Fire Garden, and families can look out for Santa along the route. There is also a firepit where visitors can toast marshmallows.
The trail runs from 19 November to 30 December 2026. Tickets are sold through Ticketek, with off peak pricing on selected evenings and reduced family tickets available, and the garden advises booking early as tickets sell fast. Hot chocolate and festive snacks are on sale along the way at extra cost. The page did not list opening times or individual prices, so check the booking page for the slots on your chosen evening.
Parent tip: Choose an off peak evening for a lower price, and bring warm layers and gloves for the outdoor trail.
See dates and details from Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (opens in a new tab)Santa's Stories
Story time with SantaEdinburgh's Christmas · Edinburgh
- Host
- Edinburgh's Christmas (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- West Princes Street Gardens (near the Ross Fountain), Princes Street, Edinburgh EH1 2EU
- When
- Timed sessions, Nov 20 to Dec 24
- Price
- From £14.30 per child (includes one adult)
- Ages
- Ages 0 and up, with an adult
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Santa's Stories is the storytelling grotto at the heart of Edinburgh's Christmas, set in West Princes Street Gardens near the Ross Fountain. Santa and his helpers make the gardens their home for the season, sharing a festive tale before each child gets the chance to meet Santa. Every child's ticket includes a special gift and a photo opportunity with Santa, and the whole experience lasts about 20 minutes.
Sessions run from 20 November to 24 December 2026, with prices from £14.30. Book one Child plus Included Adult ticket per child, then add up to four extra adult tickets if needed. Every child needs a ticket and must come with an adult aged 18 or over. Tickets are only valid for the time booked, so arrive ten minutes early. Residents with an EH postcode can get 20 percent off when booking through the official website.
Parent tip: Arrive ten minutes before your slot. Accessibility bookings can be arranged by emailing the organisers' access team.
See dates and details from Edinburgh's Christmas (opens in a new tab)An Edwardian Christmas: Family Workshop
Christmas craftsRoyal Collection Trust · Edinburgh
- Host
- Royal Collection Trust (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- The King's Gallery, Palace of Holyroodhouse (Abbey Strand Centre), Canongate, Edinburgh EH8 8DX
- When
- Sat, Nov 28, 1:30 to 3 pm
- Price
- £8 per child (includes one adult); extra adults £8
- Ages
- Ages 7 to 12, with a parent or carer
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Royal Collection Trust runs this festive family workshop at the Palace of Holyroodhouse at the foot of the Royal Mile. Families start with a short guided visit of The Edwardians: Age of Elegance exhibition in The King's Gallery, then head to the Abbey Strand Centre to make Christmas cards and decorations inspired by the Edwardian era.
The session runs on Saturday 28 November 2026 from 1:30pm to 3pm and is designed for children aged 7 to 12, who must be accompanied by a parent or carer. A child ticket costs £8 and includes one free adult, with additional adults at £8 each. Booking is essential through the Royal Collection Trust website, and places at small workshops like this are limited, so it is worth reserving early. It is a good choice for older children who enjoy history and making things.
Parent tip: Booking is essential. The workshop starts at the Abbey Strand Centre, beside the palace entrance.
See dates and details from Royal Collection Trust (opens in a new tab)The Adventures of Pinocchio
Panto or Christmas showCapital Theatres · Edinburgh
- Host
- Capital Theatres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- King's Theatre, 2 Leven Street, Edinburgh EH3 9LQ
- When
- Nov 28, 2026 to Jan 17, 2027
- Price
- £23 to £49
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The famous King's panto is back at its home in Tollcross following the theatre's reopening, with The Adventures of Pinocchio running from 28 November 2026 to 17 January 2027. The family pantomime follows Pinocchio as he dreams of becoming a real boy, with comedy, magic and music. Allan Stewart plays May Geppetto, Grant Stott is the villain Stromboli, Jordan Young takes the title role, and the cast also includes C.J. Borger, Clare Gray and Gail Watson.
Tickets are listed at £23 to £49 and are booked through Capital Theatres. The venue has level access throughout, wheelchair spaces, a hearing loop, accessible and Changing Places toilets, and large print, braille or audio options. Capital Theatres says most shows offer accessible performances, including relaxed performances, so check its access information for dates that suit your family.
Parent tip: Performance times were not on the listing we checked, so choose a date on the Capital Theatres booking page.
See dates and details from Capital Theatres (opens in a new tab)Breakfast with Santa
Breakfast with SantaEdinburgh Zoo (RZSS) · Edinburgh
- Host
- Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Edinburgh Zoo, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS
- When
- Selected December mornings, 9 to 11 am
- Price
- See Edinburgh Zoo booking page
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Edinburgh Zoo's December calendar includes Breakfast with Santa, a morning event running from 9am to 11am on selected dates in December 2026. Starting the day with breakfast and a visit from Santa before the zoo gets busy makes for a relaxed festive outing, and it can be combined with the zoo's separate daytime Festive Grotto or an evening at the Giant Lanterns trail.
The calendar listing we checked shows the dates as selected days in December and the time as 9am to 11am, but does not give prices, menus or an age range. Open the event from the zoo's What's On calendar to see which mornings are available and what is included before booking. Morning events like this often sell out in the run up to Christmas, so it is worth looking early if you want a weekend date.
Parent tip: Check on the booking page whether zoo entry is included with breakfast, as the zoo's grotto tickets do not include admission.
See dates and details from Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS) (opens in a new tab)Festive Grotto
Santa’s grottoEdinburgh Zoo (RZSS) · Edinburgh
- Host
- Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Edinburgh Zoo, Budongo Trail building, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS
- When
- Selected days, Dec 5 to 24, 10:20 am to 3:30 pm
- Price
- £18 for one child, £33 for two (plus booking fee); zoo entry extra
- Ages
- Children
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Edinburgh Zoo sets up a daytime Christmas grotto each December, and this year Santa Claus is meeting families inside the Budongo Trail building. Visits are booked in ten minute slots between 10:20am and 3:30pm on selected days from 5 to 24 December, so you can combine a grotto visit with a day looking round the zoo.
Prices are per group of children: £18 for one child, £33 for two, £49 for three and £66 for four, each with a small booking fee. Grotto tickets do not include zoo admission, which must be bought separately, and the zoo suggests booking your grotto slot first and then your zoo tickets for the same day. The page does not list a gift or age range, so contact the events team if you have questions about what is included.
Parent tip: Book the grotto slot before your zoo tickets so the times line up. Questions go to events@rzss.org.uk.
See dates and details from Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS) (opens in a new tab)Lanterns Grotto
Santa’s grottoEdinburgh Zoo (RZSS) · Edinburgh
- Host
- Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS) (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Edinburgh Zoo, Budongo Trail building, 134 Corstorphine Road, Edinburgh EH12 6TS
- When
- Selected evenings, Dec 5 to 24, 5:15 to 8:45 pm
- Price
- £19.50 for one child, £35 for two (plus booking fee); Giant Lanterns ticket needed
- Ages
- Children
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
For families planning an evening at Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns, the Lanterns Grotto adds a visit to Santa Claus partway round the illuminated trail. The grotto is inside the Budongo Trail building and runs in ten minute slots from 5:15pm to 8:45pm on 5, 6, 11, 12, 13 and 16 to 24 December.
Grotto prices are £19.50 for one child, £35 for two, £51 for three and £68 for four, each plus a small booking fee, and you also need a Giant Lanterns ticket for the same evening. The zoo advises booking your grotto slot first, because slots fill fast, then buying lantern tickets. Enter through the main admissions building with your lanterns ticket, and an elf checks your grotto ticket on arrival. You will receive a reminder email with a map showing where the grotto is.
Parent tip: Book the grotto before your Giant Lanterns tickets, and allow time to walk the trail to the Budongo building before your slot.
See dates and details from Edinburgh Zoo (RZSS) (opens in a new tab)Christmas Cheer at the Museum
Meet SantaMuseum of Scottish Fire Heritage · Edinburgh
- Host
- Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, 1A Dryden Terrace, Edinburgh
- When
- Sat, Dec 12
- Price
- £12 per child
- Ages
- Children and families
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
The Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage, home to Scotland's firefighting history, is welcoming Santa for a single day of festive cheer on Saturday 12 December 2026. Children can meet Santa, share their Christmas wishes, have a photo taken and receive a small gift to take home, all in a museum setting that is likely to appeal to young fire engine fans.
The event is ticketed at £12 per child. The museum's calendar page describes it as a magical experience for children and families but does not list session times or explain how to book, so contact the museum or check its What's On page for the booking link and time slots. As a one day event at a smaller museum, places are likely to be limited, so it is worth securing tickets early rather than turning up on the day.
Parent tip: This is a ticketed, one day only event, so confirm your time slot with the museum before travelling.
See dates and details from Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage (opens in a new tab)Christmas events for kids in Lasswade
1 confirmed event in Lasswade, soonest first.
Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Edinburgh (Lasswade)
Santa’s grottoDobbies Garden Centres · Lasswade
- Host
- Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)
- Where
- Dobbies Edinburgh (Melville Nursery), Melville Nursery, Lasswade EH18 1AZ (near Edinburgh)
- When
- Selected dates, Nov 21 to Dec 24
- Price
- £15 to £17 per child
- Ages
- Children
- Booking
- Booking essential
- Confirmed
- On the host’s page, checked
Dobbies' Edinburgh garden centre, just south of the city bypass near Lasswade, is one of the Scottish stores hosting Santa's Grotto in 2026. The experience is a walk through a North Pole village: children make a wish at the wishing well, try activities in the grotto shops and visit the Penguin Post Office before spending dedicated family time with Santa. Each child with a ticket receives a collectable penguin soft toy in a presentation bag.
Tickets cost £15 to £17 and are booked online in timed slots between 21 November and 24 December 2026, though not every store runs every date, so select Edinburgh on the booking page to see availability. Your booking time is your arrival time, a maximum of two adults can accompany each child, and the grotto may be outdoors, so dress warmly.
Parent tip: Pre-booked photo packages save 20 percent. Do not arrive more than five minutes before your slot.
See dates and details from Dobbies Garden Centres (opens in a new tab)A story for the trip home
Our picture book follows Rally the corgi on his first train ride to see his grand-paw-rents, and every page is hand-painted in watercolour. It is a cosy five-minute read after a big day out.
A bedtime story after seeing SantaRally Takes the Train is a five-minute rhyming picture book about a corgi’s first train ride, hand-painted in real watercolour. Ages 0 to 8.
Buy on Amazon.co.uk (opens in a new tab)Edinburgh Christmas events for kids: questions parents ask
What Christmas events for kids are in Edinburgh in 2026?
We confirmed 11 Christmas events for kids in Edinburgh for 2026, each on its host’s own page, including Edinburgh Zoo's Giant Lanterns, Edinburgh's Christmas, Christmas at the Botanics 2026, Santa's Stories, Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Edinburgh (Lasswade), An Edwardian Christmas: Family Workshop, The Adventures of Pinocchio, Breakfast with Santa, Festive Grotto, Lanterns Grotto and Christmas Cheer at the Museum. Each one is listed above with times, cost and a link to the host.
Are there free Christmas events for kids in Edinburgh?
Yes. 1 of the 11 events here are free, including Edinburgh's Christmas. Some free events still ask you to register, so check each listing.
Where can kids see Santa in Edinburgh this year?
Santa appears at Christmas at the Botanics 2026, Santa's Stories, Santa's Grotto 2026 at Dobbies Edinburgh (Lasswade), Breakfast with Santa, Festive Grotto, Lanterns Grotto and Christmas Cheer at the Museum. Times and booking rules are in each listing above.
Where are there Christmas story times for kids in Edinburgh?
Christmas story times on this page: Santa's Stories.
How do you confirm these events?
We list an event only after we find this season’s date on the host’s own website or an official city, library or tourism calendar. We last checked every listing on 2 November 2026. Hosts change details, so always confirm on the host’s page before you go.
Event names belong to their hosts. Rally Takes the Train is a family picture book and is not affiliated with, sponsored by or endorsed by any host listed here. Confirm dates, times and prices on each host’s own site before you go.
