Edinburgh is a year-round city. It is one of the drier places in Scotland, though rarely warm: even in July a jacket is useful after dark. The big decision is whether to come for the festivals or to avoid them.
Season by season
Spring (March–May)
Daffodils in Princes Street Gardens, gorse on Arthur’s Seat and lengthening evenings. April and May are often dry and bright, hotel prices are reasonable and the Beltane Fire Festival lights up Calton Hill on 30 April.
Summer (June–August)
Light until after 10 pm in June. July is busy; August is extraordinary, with the Fringe, the International Festival, the Book Festival and the Tattoo running together. Expect packed streets and the year’s highest prices.
Autumn (September–November)
September keeps the good weather and loses the crowds — arguably the best month of all. October brings autumn colour to the gardens and the Water of Leith; November is quiet and good value until the Christmas markets open.
Winter (December–February)
Short, cold days, Christmas markets in Princes Street Gardens and the three-day Hogmanay celebrations. January and February are the cheapest months, with Burns Night suppers on the 25th.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7 °C | 1 °C | 7.5 h | Quiet |
| February | 7 °C | 1 °C | 9.5 h | Quiet |
| March | 9 °C | 2 °C | 12 h | Moderate |
| April | 12 °C | 4 °C | 14 h | Moderate |
| May | 15 °C | 7 °C | 16 h | Busy |
| June | 17 °C | 10 °C | 17.5 h | Busy |
| July | 19 °C | 11 °C | 17 h | Peak |
| August | 19 °C | 11 °C | 15 h | Peak |
| September | 17 °C | 9 °C | 12.5 h | Busy |
| October | 13 °C | 6 °C | 10.5 h | Moderate |
| November | 10 °C | 3 °C | 8.5 h | Quiet |
| December | 7 °C | 1 °C | 7 h | Busy |
Temperatures are rounded long-term averages for the nearest weather station; real days vary widely, especially in the hills.
Festivals & events
- 30 AprilBeltane Fire Festival
Fire, drums and painted performers on Calton Hill. Ticketed. - AugustFestival Fringe & International Festival
Thousands of shows in hundreds of venues for about three and a half weeks. Book rooms many months ahead. - AugustRoyal Edinburgh Military Tattoo
Massed pipes and drums on the castle esplanade every evening. Tickets go on sale late the previous year and sell quickly. - Mid-November – early JanuaryEdinburgh’s Christmas
Markets, rides and lights in the centre. - 30 December – 1 JanuaryHogmanay
Torchlight procession, street party and midnight fireworks from the castle. Ticketed; weather can force cancellations.
Crowds & booking ahead
The Royal Mile and the castle are busy from Easter to October and at their fullest in August, when the city’s population roughly doubles. To see the castle in relative peace, take the first entry slot of the day. Hogmanay, Six Nations rugby weekends at Murrayfield (February and March) and big concerts also fill hotels. January to March and November are the quietest and cheapest times to come.
