Edinburgh Christmas Ice Rink Cancelled for 2026
The Edinburgh Christmas ice rink has been cancelled for 2026, with organisers blaming rising costs and uncertainty following the Princes Street fire earlier this year.
The popular outdoor attraction, which has been based on George Street in recent years, will be missing from the capital’s festive celebrations for the first time in almost three decades.
Organisers Unique Assembly confirmed that the decision was taken during the summer, when parts of Princes Street remained closed following the fire at the former Debenhams building.
Why has the Edinburgh ice rink been cancelled?
Edinburgh’s Christmas organisers explained that staging an outdoor ice rink requires months of preparation, including securing suppliers, designing structures and arranging the site.
The uncertainty surrounding the reopening of Princes Street, combined with the significant cost of operating the rink and a lack of funding support, made the attraction financially unviable for 2026.
Organisers acknowledged the disappointment but said they hope to bring the ice rink back in future years.
Essential Edinburgh chief executive Roddy Smith also expressed disappointment, highlighting the rink’s importance in attracting visitors to businesses around George Street.
What Christmas attractions are still going ahead?
Despite the cancellation, Edinburgh’s Christmas will return from 14 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with markets, rides and festive entertainment across the city centre.
Visitors can still explore the traditional market in East Princes Street Gardens, alongside smaller independent markets and craft fairs across the capital. Our Edinburgh Christmas Markets 2026 guide covers 14 markets and fairs, including dates, locations and entry prices.
George Street will still host the Polar Ice Bar and the Coorie Inn, while other festive attractions and entertainment are planned across the city.
Families can also enjoy seasonal events such as Christmas at the Botanics, which returns to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh from 19 November.
For a wider look at what’s happening, see our Edinburgh Christmas 2026 event guide, covering the main city-centre celebrations.
Although outdoor skating will be absent from the official festivities this year, organisers hope the George Street ice rink can return in the future.