Christmas Holiday Activities in Edinburgh 2024/25

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Christmas Holiday Activities in Edinburgh 2024/25

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 Trail around the Meadows

All day, any day!

I wrote this trail for my son’s birthday last month, and have now shared the details on my blog. Download your free copy for personal use, along with an answer sheet, map and certificate.

Finn Finity and the Great Christmas Maths Mystery

Fri 20 December 2024 to Fri 10 January 2025, 10am – 5pm,
at the National Museum of Scotland; Free, drop-in

Free self-guided puzzle trail around the museum (Note: Requires you to print off some sheets before your visit).

Christmas/ Winter Stories at Oxgangs Library

Mon 23, Tues 24, Fri 27, Mon 30, Tues 31 Dec 2024 & Fri 3 January 2025 at 11:30am; Free, drop-in

Carolling at Oxgangs Library

Mon 23 December at 2:30pm; Free, drop-in

Kids Craft: Festive Wreaths out of Wool

Monday 23 December at 3:45pm, at Craigmillar Library; Free, drop-in

Christmas/ Winter Crafts at Oxgangs Library

Mon 23, Tues 24, Fri 27, Mon 30, Tues 31 December 2024 & Fri 3 January 2025 at 2:30pm; Free, drop-in

Children’s Nativity Service at St Mary’s Episcopal Cathedral

Tues 24 December, 2pm – 3pm; Free, no booking required

“Our annual Nativity Service celebration is back for all pre-school and primary children! (…) be part of a retelling of the Nativity story as you’ve never heard or seen it before – Santa’s Christmas Surprise! (…) join in by getting dressed up as your favourite character.”

Carolling at Sighthill Library

Tues 24 December at 2:30pm; Free, drop-in

Drawn Together

Fri 27 to Sun 30 December 2024, 11am – 3pm,
at the National Museum of Scotland; Free, drop-in

Escape to the museum during the holidays and enjoy sketching around the galleries. Free, drop-in.

Polar Bear Encounters

Fri 27 December 2024 to Mon 6 January 2025, 10am – 4pm,
at Dynamic Earth; Free, no booking required

Free drop-in activities exploring the Arctic and Arctic. No booking required.

Sprogmanay

Weds 1 January, 12pm – 5pm,
at the National Museum of Scotland; Free, drop-in

An afternoon of fun for children of all ages with a programme of live music, dancing, and performances.

New Year Extravaganza at IKEA Edinburgh

Thurs 2, Fri 3 & Sat 4 January, 12 noon – 4pm; Free, drop-in

“Join us in store for a range of fun filled activities to celebrate the start of the New Year including: face painting, arts ‘n’ craft sessions, mocktails and a DJ!“

Family Film at McDonald Road Library

Fri 3 Jan at 3pm; Free, drop-in

“Join us for a family film…Refreshments are provided…”

Zoo Time at Drumbrae Library Hub

Sat 4 Jan, 2pm – 3pm; Free, drop-in

“We are very excited to have a visit from the RZSS! Come along…to find out all about penguins! Children under 8 MUST be accompanied by an adult.”

(Edited on 31 December to add a few more events)

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 / 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 previous reviews:

>> Art Space 2
>> The National with Kids

Cafe? Yes, at all three sites

*****

City Art Centre

Regular Opening Hours

Daily, 10am – 5pm (last entry 4:30pm)

Festive Opening Hours

24 December: Last entry at 3pm
25 & 26 December: CLOSED
27 December: Open from 11am
31 December: Last entry at 3pm
1 & 2 January: CLOSED
3 January: Open from 11am

What’s On? Free ‘ArtSpace’ family activity area packed full of art materials and worksheets relating to the relevant exhibitions. Find out more in our City Art Centre review.

Cafe? Yes

*****

Museum of Edinburgh

Regular Opening Hours

Daily, 10am – 5pm (last entry 4:30pm)

Festive Opening Hours

24 December: Last entry at 3pm
25, 26 & 27 December: CLOSED
31 December: Last entry at 3pm
1 & 2 January: CLOSED
3 January: Open from 11am

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. Find out more in our Museum of Edinburgh review.

Cafe? No

*****

Museum of Childhood

Regular Opening Hours

Daily, 10am – 5pm (last entry 4:30pm)

Festive Opening Hours

22 & 23 December: CLOSED
24 December: Last entry at 3pm
25 to 30 December: CLOSED
31 December: Last entry at 3pm
1 & 2 January: CLOSED
3 January: Open from 11am

What’s On? Plenty of hands-on activities to keep kids busy, including games, dressing up and a story corner.

Cafe? No

*****

Museum on the Mound

Regular Opening Hours

Tues – Fri 10am – 5pm; Sat 1pm – 5pm; Closed Sundays & Mondays; Open Bank Holiday Mondays 1pm – 5pm

Festive Opening Hours

22 & 23 December: CLOSED
24 December: Open 10am – 3pm
25 & 26 December: CLOSED
27 & 28 December: OPEN
29 & 30 December: CLOSED
31 December: Open 10am – 3pm
1 & 2 January: CLOSED
3 January onwards: Regular opening hours resume

What’s On? Learn about the (hi)story of banking and money, with lots of hands-on activities scattered throughout the galleries. Find out more in our Museum on the Mound review.

Cafe? No

*****

Water of Leith Visitor Centre

Regular Opening Hours

Daily, 10am – 4pm

Festive Opening Hours

Closed from 4pm on Sunday 22nd December until 10am on Saturday 4th January.

What’s On? Interactive exhibition about nature and waterways, with including water play activities. Find out more in our Water of Leith Visitor Centre review.

Cafe? Yes

*****

Edinburgh City Libraries

Regular Opening Hours

Varies by library, mostly Mondays to Saturdays

Festive Opening Hours

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:

*****

Please note the popular Museum of Scottish Fire Heritage is closed until 10 February 2025.

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.

Hermitage of Braid

Take a walk through the woods, explore the various side paths, play Pooh Sticks at the bridges, or download our free Murder Mystery Trail!

Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

We love the ‘Botanics’ in all seasons. Open daily 10am – 4pm (last entry 3:15pm) during December & January (CLOSED 25 December and 1 January). Cafe available. Keep your eye on their social media channels for additional closures due to severe weather warnings.

Lauriston Castle Grounds

The Castle is closed for guided tours until the new year (tours will re-commence on Saturday 11 January 2025) but the grounds are open daily 8am – 4.30pm throughout the festive period and are a popular spot for walks. Though keep your eye on the Lauriston Castle Facebook page for closures to the grounds due to severe weather warnings. Mimi’s cafe is open 9am – 4pm Mondays to Fridays, and 10am – 4pm on weekends and 1 January (closing at 3pm on Christmas Eve, closed Christmas Day and Boxing Day).

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!

Parks & Playgrounds

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 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.

Buckstone/Mortonhall Woodland Walk

Speaking of playground, the walk from Buckstone Park to Sevenacre Park takes you through the woods, and has a playground at either end! You can combine it with a trip to the café at Mortonhall Garden Centre, and if you’re lucky you might see the Highland cows along the way too. The route does not show up when you search on Google maps, but our family walk guide will help you find the right way. Accessible by various bus routes.

Winter Beach Walk

You may associate beaches with sun bathing and paddling, sandcastles and ice cream, but we love a good beach walk at any time of year, including in Winter. 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.

Low Cost Day Trips

If you’ve exhausted all your options in Edinburgh during the holidays, and want to get out a bit more further afield without breaking the bank, then here are a few of our favourite day trip suggestions. All venues include a cafe too.

Summerlee Museum, Coatbridge

Regular opening hours: Daily, 10am – 4pm
Festive opening hours: Closed 25/26 December & 1/2 January
Find out more >> Summerlee Museum Review

Callendar House, Falkirk

Regular opening hours: 10am – 5pm daily except Tuesdays
Festive opening hours: open 10am – 3pm on 24 December; closed 25/26 December (check website for New Year opening hours)
Find out more >> Callendar House Review

Riverside Museum, Glasgow

Regular Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm Mondays – Thursdays & Saturdays; 11am – 5pm Fridays & Sundays
Festive Opening Hours: Closed 24 December to 26 December; Closed 31 December to 2 January
Find out more >> Riverside Museum Review

Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum, Glasgow

Regular Opening Hours: 10am – 5pm Mondays – Thursdays & Saturdays; 11am – 5pm Fridays & Sundays
Festive Opening Hours: Closed 24 December to 26 December; Closed 31 December to 2 January
Find out more >> Kelvingrove Museum Review

Weehailes Adventure Playpark, Musselburgh

Opening Hours: Open 10am – 4pm daily during December and January

Festive Opening Hours: Open 10am – 12 noon on 24 December; Closed 25 December – 3 January; Open again from 4 January.
Costs: Adults £1, Children £3.50, under 3s go free
Find out more >> Weehailes Review