Skip to content

Edinburgh winter festival worth £241m to city, new report says

News imageGetty Images A large luminous sign saying the word 'Edinburgh' in front of a huge Ferris Wheel lit up in blue and white.Getty Images
The Edinburgh Winter Festival takes over Princes Street Gardens every year

Edinburgh's winter festival generated almost a quarter of a billion pounds for the local economy last year, according to a report.

Organisers Unique Assembly said Edinburgh's Christmas and Hogmanay events, which include the Christmas markets and New Year's Eve street party, were worth about £241m to the city in 2025/26.

It marked the return of the full Hogmanay festival, which was cancelled the previous year due to "extreme weather".

Council leader Jane Meagher said the festival created "lasting benefits" for residents, businesses and communities.

Unique Assembly said more than 115,000 people visited the four-day Hogmanay festival last year.

An estimated 100,000 of those attended the traditional street party and concert in Princes Street Gardens, which was headlined by Wet Leg.

A total of 2.9 million "visits" to winter festival locations, such as the market in the Gardens, were recorded, according to the organisers.

They said £297 was generated for every £1 spent by the council.

In a statement, Unique Assembly said the festival was a "source of civic pride" and "social benefit for Edinburgh and its communities".

"Delivering £241m in economic impact and some of the highest visitor satisfaction levels we've ever seen is something everyone involved can be incredibly proud of," they added.

"These results underline just how important Edinburgh's Winter Festival has become - not only to the city's economy, but to its communities, cultural life and global reputation."

News imageUnique Assembly Gold fireworks in a dark sky while a crowd of people below film on their phones.Unique Assembly
An estimated 100,000 people attended the annual street party and concert in Princes Street Gardens

More than 8,500 free tickets and ride passes were handed out to local residents during the festival, while £49,000 was raised for the event's official charity partners.

Unique Assembly said about three-quarters of stall holders in the Christmas market were "Scottish-based," with a number coming from Edinburgh.

Meagher said the festival had been "embraced by both residents and visitors".

She added: "I'm proud that we've been able to deliver meaningful benefits for our communities through increased free tickets and ride passes, alongside record charitable donations that are helping support local causes across the city.

"Looking ahead to next year, we're committed to building on this success and ensuring Edinburgh's winter festival continues to deliver unforgettable experiences while creating lasting benefits for our residents, businesses and communities."