Looking for a magical Christmas school trip in Edinburgh? From unlimited funfair rides and spectacular city views to Santa visits and incredible ice sculptures, Edinburgh’s Christmas 2026 has plenty to offer schools and nurseries planning a festive end-of-term treat!
With exciting attractions across Princes Street Gardens, special school group experiences and community celebrations, there’s something to make this Christmas unforgettable for pupils of all ages.
Unlimited Festive Fun at the Christmas Funfair
Treat your pupils to a Christmas adventure at the Festive Funfair in West Princes Street Gardens!
Packed with exciting rides, festive photo opportunities and Christmas cheer, it’s a brilliant choice for a school outing.
Each pupil receives a wristband for 1.5 hours of unlimited funfair rides, giving everyone plenty of time to enjoy their favourite attractions.
It’s a fantastic way to celebrate the end of term and create special memories with classmates.
See Edinburgh from the LNER Big Wheel
Take your school trip to new heights with a ride on the iconic LNER Big Wheel in East Princes Street Gardens, beside the traditional Christmas Markets.
Pupils can enjoy spectacular views of Edinburgh’s historic skyline from the comfort of enclosed, weatherproof pods.
It’s a wonderful opportunity to see the capital from a different perspective while staying warm and cosy!
❄️ Discover the Family Ice Experience with Icelandair
<text weight=”medium”>New for school groups in 2026!</text>
Step into Scotland’s coolest winter attraction with the Family Ice Experience with Icelandair.
Pupils can explore a glittering frozen world filled with breathtaking, hand-carved, Viking-themed ice sculptures.
This magical experience offers a fantastic combination of festive excitement, creativity and discovery — perfect for curious young minds.
Meet Santa at Santa’s Stories
No Christmas school outing would be complete without a visit to Santa!
Santa and his excited elves are returning to Edinburgh to welcome school and nursery groups for a magical festive experience.
Santa’s Stories offers special reduced-cost sessions for groups of up to 22 children.
Each session lasts approximately 20 minutes, giving every child the opportunity to meet Santa and receive an age-appropriate gift.
It’s a lovely way to bring some extra Christmas magic to the school day.
To enquire about school and nursery bookings, contact the Edinburgh’s Christmas team at communities@unique-assembly.co.uk.
Bringing Communities Together for Christmas
There’s more to Edinburgh’s Christmas than rides and attractions!
The Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens will host a programme of family-friendly community events on weekends from 14 November to 12 December 2026.
Highlights include:
- Sunday 15 November: Edinburgh Diwali celebrations.
- Saturday 28 and Sunday 29 November: St Andrew’s Day celebrations, including a free outdoor ceilidh with a caller to teach the steps.
- Sunday 6 December: The Santa Fun Run and Santa Paws, raising funds for charity partner When You Wish Upon a Star.
The Santa Fun Run invites participants dressed as Santas, elves, Olafs and other festive characters to run, jog or walk a 2.5km route through West Princes Street Gardens.
It’s a wonderful example of how Edinburgh’s Christmas brings families, schools and communities together.
Winter Windows Art Competition 2026
A fantastic creative opportunity for schools!
The popular Winter Windows Art Competition returns for 2026, inviting pupils to share their own artistic interpretation of winter and the festive season.
This year, 24 winning designs will be transformed into beautiful illuminated light boxes and displayed throughout West Princes Street Gardens as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas.
Pupils are encouraged to create bright, bold artwork on A4 portrait paper, capturing their own vision of winter.
Each school can submit up to five entries.
Winning pupils will be invited to a special ceremony to receive their certificate and prize and see their artwork displayed for the public to enjoy.
Competition deadline: Monday 9 November 2026 at 5pm.
Please note: This deadline has now passed.
Plan Your Edinburgh’s Christmas School Trip!
Whether your pupils would love an action-packed afternoon at the Festive Funfair, a magical meeting with Santa, a ride on the Big Wheel or an unforgettable ice sculpture experience, Edinburgh’s Christmas has plenty of options for schools and nurseries.
With dedicated group booking opportunities and festive experiences designed for children, it’s an exciting way to celebrate the Christmas season together.
School and nursery group enquiries: communities@unique-assembly.co.uk
Tickets and further information: Edinburgh’s Christmas
Schools should contact the organisers directly to confirm group prices, available dates, attraction suitability, supervision arrangements and booking requirements before planning their visit.
