The centre of the Scottish capital is transformed from mid-November through to 6 January, as part of a season of festive entertainment in the heart of the city. Underbelly is producing the event for the fifth year running for the city council - which last year received more than 900,000 visitors over the six-week period. Centred around Princes Street, the festive attractions range from an ice rink to two Christmas markets, children’s rides, and grown-up fairground attractions and light shows. Looking ahead to the end of the year, the city’s Hogmanay celebrations last three days, and the city expects around 150,000 visitors to that part of the event alone.

More than 100,000 visitors from the area bought tickets last year, increasing footfall to the city centre by more than 20% since 2012.

Princes Street Gardens

East Princes Street Gardens hosts the Big Wheel and the Star Flyer rides this year, as well as hosting a carousel merry-go-round, and a Christmas market filled with bespoke goods. Santa Land hosts the Christmas tree maze, with an Elves workshop hidden inside, and the Santa Train.

The Star Flyer ride carries people over Princes Street and its gardens almost brush against the Scott Monument



A young passenger takes a ride on the Santa express



From the carousel merry-go-round to the Yeti ride



Festive hats … and a selfie on the carousel



All aboard the Yeti ride



Christmas market

More than 100 stalls are set up at the East Princes Street Gardens and the Mound Precinct from all across northern Europe.

Trinkets for the tree. Below: crepes, German beer and mulled wine, candy floss and calm vibes



A group of revellers take in some mulled wine at the bar



Janet MacIntyre and Jenny Fagan from Edinburgh sport their purchases at the Christmas market



George Street

George Street is hosting a Christmas market, Santa’s Grotto, and the Drop Tower standing 80 metres high.

Emily and Amy Oakes from Newcastle, both aged nine, at Ice Adventure



The Ice Adventure is a new attraction this year, and visitors can go for an immersive walk-through experience and travel through Scotland’s history, through ice and snow sculptures, from mythical creatures to lifelike historical figures.

Taking selfies as an ice block highland cow



A plunging ride on George Street



A reveller wears antlers and spectators watch the big drop ride



Projections of children dancing in George Street



Ice, ice baby

Ice skaters are able to skate all the way round the Melville Monument on this circular ice rink in St Andrew Square.

Young skaters on the pop-up rink in St Andrew Square



Skaters in full flow … and on their phones



Lanterns at the zoo



Not far from the central Christmas festivities, Edinburgh zoo is hosting the Giant Lanterns of China – an installation of more than 450 dazzling giant lanterns on for 50 awe-inspiring nights.