Edinburgh Christmas Market

Right in the heart of the city, this market takes over East Princes Street Gardens every winter and it gets busy — like, genuinely shoulder-to-shoulder busy on weekends, so go on a weekday if you can. The lights strung between the stalls make the whole place glow once it gets dark, and the smell of mulled wine hits you before you even get through the gates. Food and drink is honestly the main draw — bratwurst, raclette, hot chocolate, you name it — though the stalls selling gifts and crafts are worth a browse if you can handle the crowds. There’s a Ferris wheel that gives you a pretty decent view of the castle lit up at night, which is worth the queue.