Christmas Holiday Activities in Edinburgh 2025/26
Last updated Saturday 20 December 2025
Edinburgh schools break up for the Christmas today. After the first few days of activities, I can guarantee that cabin fever will start to set in fairly quickly, especially once the ‘big day’ is over. Getting everyone out the house when the weather is gloomy and money is maybe a bit tight is always a challenge, so I’ve made a round-up again of where to go for a change of scenery without breaking the bank.
Museums, galleries and libraries are always our saviour at any time of year, but especially in the darker months. There’s a couple of free events happening too, but mostly they offer offer a warm space to hang out, to play or make, to discover, or even just to have a coffee.
Free Events
Murder Mystery Trails around the Hermitage & the Meadows
All day, any day!
I wrote these trails for my sons, but you can download free copies for personal use, along with answer sheets, maps and certificates. I offer them for free as I want them to be accessible to all, but you are welcome to make a small donation if you are able.
>> Download Hermitage of Braid Trail
>> Download The Meadows Trail
Broughton Primary School Winter Trail
Daily until 11 January 2026.
“It’s the return of the Broughton Primary School Parent Council’s annual Winter Trail! Donate and/or take part – all welcome. 16 clues on shop windows and Tesco community board, follow the trail map, answer the question to complete the message. A fun activity for all, available until Sunday 11 Jan 2026, businesses opening hours dependent. All funds raised benefit Broughton Nursery and Primary School’s community.”
Further Info & Map | Donation Link
(Many thanks to Pauline from Broughton Primary School Parent Council for sharing this)
Finn Finity and the Great Christmas Maths Mystery at the National Museum of Scotland
Daily until Sun 12 January 2026 during museum opening hours; Free, drop-in
Free self-guided puzzle trail around the museum (Note: Requires you to print off some sheets before your visit).
Festive Events at Drumbrae Library Hub
Fri 19 December to Mon 5 January, various times during library opening hours; Free, drop-in
Includes Christmas Lego, Family Christmas Bingo, Festive Craft, Festive Storytelling, Biscuit Decorating, and more!
Free Christmas Movie at Gilmerton Library
Sat 20 December at 12pm; Free, no booking required
Popcorn and juice provided. Under 8yr olds must be accompanied by an adult.
Winter Activities at Ratho Library
Mon 22 December to Mon 5 January, various times on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays; Free, drop-in
Includes Seasonal Crafts, Boardgames, Party Games with Mince Pies and Hot Chocolate, and Bookbug.
Winter Activities at Sighthill Library
Mon 22 December to Mon 5 January, various times on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Saturdays; Free, drop-in
Includes Seasonal Crafts, Christmas Rice Crispy Puddings, Party Games with Mince Pies and Hot Chocolate, and Lego.
Festive Season at Wester Hailes Library
Mon 22 December to Mon 5 January, various times during library opening hours; Free, drop-in unless specified
Christmas Card Making, Festive Carolling, Tween Book Group, Crafts, Bookbug, and more.
Crafternoon at Corstorphine Library
Tues 23 & Tues 30th December, 2pm – 3pm; Free, drop-in
Festive Craft & Quiz at Leith Library
Weds 24 & Weds 31 December, 10:30am – 12:30pm; Free, drop-in
Drawn Together at the National Museum of Scotland
Fri 27 to Sun 30 December 2025, 10:30am – 4pm; Free, drop-in
Escape to the museum during the holidays and enjoy sketching around the galleries. Free, drop-in.
Sprogmanay at the National Museum of Scotland
Weds 1 January 2026, 12pm – 5pm; Free, drop-in
An afternoon of fun for all ages with live music and performances.
Sprogmanay Family Ceilidh at Portobello Town Hall
Weds 1 January 2026, 1pm – 4:30pm; Free, non ticketed
Sprogmanay Family Ceilidh at Assembly Roxy
Weds 1 January 2026, 2pm – 5pm; Free, non ticketed
Free Face Painting at IKEA Edinburgh
Fri 2 & Sat 3 January 2026, 12pm – 3pm; Free, drop-in
Explore Learning Workshops at Piershill Library
Sat 3 January 2026, 11am – 12pm; Free, no booking required
‘A Spring in Your Step’ workshop for age 7-9, and ‘Winter Wonderland’ workshop for age 9-11
Indoor Drop-in Spaces
National Museum of Scotland
Regular Opening Hours
- Daily, 10am – 5pm
Festive Opening Hours
- 25 December: CLOSED
- 26 December: 12 noon – 5pm
- 1 January: 12 noon – 5pm
What’s On? Hands-on family galleries (Imagine, Level 1 / Explore, Level 1/ Adventure Planet, Level 5) plus lots of interactive elements throughout other galleries, and free family trails. Find out more at the Family Hub online.
Cafe? Yes
*****
National Galleries of Scotland
Regular Opening Hours
- Daily, 10am – 5pm
Festive Opening Hours
- 25 December & 26 December: CLOSED
- 1 January: 12 noon – 5pm
What’s On? Free family trails, art trolley and sensory bags at the National; Free family trails, sensory walks and ‘Art Space 2’ activity room at the Modern; Free family trail and art trolley at the Portrait. Find out more on the Galleries website or read our Art Space 2 review and The National with Kids review.
Cafe? Yes, at all three sites
*****
City Art Centre
Regular Opening Hours
- Daily, 10am – 5pm (last entry 4:30pm)
- 24 & 31 December: Open at 10am, last entry at 3pm
- 25 & 26 December, 1 January: CLOSED
- 2 January: Open from 11am, last entry at 4:30pm
What’s On? Family ArtSpace available daily, packed full of art materials and worksheets relating to the relevant exhibitions, and they now also have two sensory backpacks that families can borrow. Find out more on the City Art Centre website or read our City Art Centre review.
Cafe? Yes
*****
Museum of Edinburgh
Regular Opening Hours
- Open Wednesdays to Sundays 10am – 5pm (last entry 4:30pm); Closed Mondays & Tuesdays
- 24 & 31 December: Open at 10am, last entry at 3pm
- 25 & 26 December and 28 to 30 December, 1 & 2 January: CLOSED
What’s On? Free family activity area packed full of art materials and worksheets relating to the galleries, as well as a reading corner and some replica objects you can explore. They now also have a new Sensory Room, and two sensory backpacks that families can borrow. Find out more on the Museum of Edinburgh website or read our Museum of Edinburgh review.
Cafe? No
*****
Museum of Childhood
Regular Opening Hours
- Wednesdays to Sundays, 10am – 5pm (last entry 4:30pm); closed Mondays & Tuesdays
- 24 & 31 December: Open at 10am, last entry at 3pm
- 25, 26, 27 & 30 December and 1 & 2 January,: CLOSED
- 28 & 29 December: Open at 10am, last entry at 4:30pm
What’s On? Plenty of hands-on activities to keep kids busy, including games, dressing up and a story corner. They now also have two sensory backpacks which families can borrow for free. Can be combined with a visit to the Scottish Storytelling Centre across from it, which has a nice cafe including an interactive story wall with lots of cubby holes to open and explore. Find out more on the Museum of Childhood website.
Cafe? No (but see above)
*****
Museum on the Mound
Regular Opening Hours
- Tues – Fri 10am – 5pm; Sat 1pm – 5pm; Closed Sundays & Mondays; Open Bank Holiday Mondays 1pm – 5pm
- 24 & 31 December: Open 10am – 3pm
- 25 & 26 December: CLOSED
- 1 & 2 January: CLOSED
What’s On? Learn about the (hi)story of banking and money, with lots of hands-on activities scattered throughout the galleries. Indoor family trails, sensory bags, and sensory garden trail available, ask at reception. There’s also a handling table with objects to explore, and a ‘Super Squirrel spotting’ festive trail. Find out more on the Museum on the Mound website or read our Museum on the Mound review.
Cafe? No
*****
Edinburgh City Libraries
Regular Opening Hours
- Varies by library, mostly Mondays to Saturdays
- 24 December: All libraries closing at 5pm
- 25 & 26 December: CLOSED
- 27 December to 30 December: regular opening hours
- 31 December: All libraries closing at 5pm
- 1 & 2 January: CLOSED
- 3 January onwards: regular opening hours
What’s On? The Central Library has a dedicated Children’s Library with reading rooms and an art room. Most of the other Edinburgh City Libraries also have children’s sections, as well as regular family events and activities. Find out more about each library on the Edinburgh Libraries map or on their Facebook pages via the links below:
Balerno Library | Balgreen Library | Blackhall Library (currently closed) | Central Children’s Library (part of Edinburgh Central Library on Facebook) | Colinton Library | Corstorphine Library | Craigmillar Library | Currie Library | Drumbrae Library Hub | Fountainbridge Library | Gilmerton Library | Granton Library | Kirkliston Library | Leith Library | McDonald Road Library | Moredun Library | Morningside Library | Muirhouse Library | Newington Library | Oxgangs Library | Piershill Library | Portobello Library | Ratho Library | Sighthill Library | South Queensferry Library | Stockbridge Library | Wester Hailes Library
*****
Please note the popular Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage is closed until Tuesday 17 February 2026.
Outdoor Spaces
As they say in Scotland, there’s no such thing as bad weather, just the wrong clothing. While that might not actually be true, and there are plenty of days with storm warnings or lashings of horizontal rain where it’s better to stay indoors even with the best of clothing, here are some suggestions of places to head for some fresh air over the holidays. Don’t forget to bring a flask of something hot (hot chocolate, tea, soup) to have along the way.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
We love the ‘Botanics’ in all seasons. Open 10am – 3:30pm in December, and 10am – 4pm in January. CLOSED 25 December & 1 January. Cafe available. Keep your eye on their website and social media channels for additional closures due to severe weather warnings.
Lauriston Castle Grounds
The grounds are open to the public between 8am-4.30pm daily, and are a popular spot for walks. Keep your eye on the Lauriston Castle Facebook page for closures to the grounds due to severe weather warnings.
Mimi’s Bakehouse, located on site, is also open to the public from Monday – Sunday 10am – 4pm (closed 25 & 26 December, and opening at 11am on 1 January). Check Mimi’s Bakehouse Facebook page for further details.
Edinburgh Parks & Playgrounds
Edinburgh has no shortage of parks and playgrounds across the city, for when you want to go out with the kids to burn off some energy over the holidays. Tip: Bring a towel to wipe down any wet play equipment!
Check out our A to Z map of playgrounds in Edinburgh for inspiration on which ones to visit next. Our favourites include East Meadows Playpark, Saughton Park, Leith Links Playpark, Victoria Park, Seven Acre Park, and the (fairly) newly refurbished Princes Street Gardens.
Or grab a bag of bird seed and visit one of the many spots across the city where you can feed ducks, swans and other birds. Our favourite spots include Blackford Pond, Easter Craiglockhart Nature Reserve, Inverleith Park, and Duddingston Loch & St Margaret’s Loch in Holyrood Park.
Family Walks
We like to get out for a good family walk over the holidays, even in Winter. Some of our favourite walks are:
Some other walks I haven’t written up yet, that we enjoy doing, include going up Arthur’s Seat (via Dunsapie Loch); walking along the Innocent Railway to Dr Neil’s Garden in Duddingston; and the circular up and around Easter Craiglockhart Nature Reserve, starting from the duck pond at Lockharton Crescent.
Winter Beach Trip
We love a good trip to the beach, even in Winter. While it’s not the weather for sunbathing and paddling, there’s always time for a good beach walk with stone skimming and shell collecting – why not download our Beach Scavenger Hunt to take along!
We love our local Cramond and Portobello beaches, which you can visit by bus within Edinburgh, and there’s also plenty other beaches within reach that you get to within 30 – 45 minutes by train. Our favourites include Dunbar, North Berwick and Longniddry in East Lothian; and Aberdour and Kinghorn in Fife. And with Kids for a Quid, up to four children can travel for just £1 return each with an adult on Scotrail train journeys.
Junior Parkrun
Head out in to the fresh air and get some exercise in the process, by joining a Junior Parkrun – a free, fun, and friendly weekly 2k event for juniors (4 to 14 year olds). Junior Parkruns in Edinburgh Include:
- Pilrig Park Junior Parkrun, Sundays at 9:30am
- Inverleith Junior Parkrun, Sundays at 9:30am
- The Meadows Junior Parkrun, Sundays at 9:30am
- Hailes Quarry Junior Parkrun, Sundays at 9:30am
Low Cost Day Trips
If you want to venture a bit further afield for a little adventure during the holidays, there are some options available without breaking the bank. We don’t have a car, but have travelled to lots of places within 1.5 hours of Edinburgh by train. Here are some reviews of a few of our favourite low cost trips (please check with venues for festive opening hours before travelling):
- Summerlee Museum of Scottish Industrial Life, Coatbridge (free entry) | Summerlee Review | Summerlee Website
- Callendar House & Park, Falkirk (free entry) | Callendar House Review | Callendar House Website
- Riverside Museum, Glasgow (free entry) | Riverside Review | Riverside Website
- Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum (free entry) | Kelvingrove Review | Kelvingrove Website
- Weehailes Adventure Playpark, East Lothian (£4 for kids age 3+, £1 per adult) | Weehailes Review | Weehailes Website
Don’t forget to claim your Kids for a Quid rail ticket, to keep travel costs down too. Only available from station ticket counters (or on the train if no ticket counter available).
