Edinburgh has long established itself as one of the world’s top destinations for Christmas. Every year, the Scottish capital is transformed into a spectacular Yuletide extravaganza with festive markets, funfair rides, live events, delicious food and drink, and much much more. This year, Edinburgh’s Christmas is set to thrill visitors from Friday 15 November to Saturday 4 January, with all the traditional trimmings plus a brand new Christmas Tree Maze set in St Andrew Square Gardens.

Also new this year is George Street's Polar Ice Bar which will be furnished with tables and chairs sculpted entirely from ice from recycled rainwater. Guests can chill out and enjoy the bar's beautifully engraved ice walls and sculptures featuring winter forests and wildlife. Meanwhile on the Mound, Assembly Hall welcomes Edinburgh Fringe legend Jason Byrne performing his largely improvised comedy NO SHOW, and the Australian parody of everyone's favourite ogre, Swamplesque, returns, promising a hilarious and slightly risqué evening of burlesque and drag. People of all ages can look forward to The Bubble Show, featuring soap bubbles of all shapes and sizes. Magic, storytelling and science combine in this wonderful show hosted by the Highland Joker, a Guinness World Record Holder renowned for being one of the best bubble artists in the world.

East Princes Street Gardens again plays host to the Traditional Christmas Market, where dozens of stallholders will offer a vast array of festive trinkets and a wide variety of temptingly aromatic food and drink to enjoy. Towering above will be the Big Wheel and the 80m-high Star Flyer, both offering incredible views across the gardens, the castle and beyond. Anyone not so keen on heights can still join in the fun with the ornate Helter-Skelter.

From Saturday 16 November, the fun continues on West Princes Street Gardens with the Festive Family Funfair, food and drink at the Winter Warmer Zone, and an illuminated Winter Windows Walk featuring artwork from schoolchildren across the city. The Ross Bandstand plays host to a Light Night Concert (Sunday 17 November) and St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh (Saturday 30 November). And, on Sunday 8 December, When You Wish Upon A Star celebrates 20 years of its Santa Fun Run & Walk with a special fundraising event, helping to grant the wishes of children living with life threatening illnesses.

The festivities will ramp up over the following weekend in the New Town with the spectacular outdoor George Street Ice Rink (great for skaters and spectators alike), plus food and drink, live events in the all-new warming area, plus festive workshops demonstrating how to make Christmas decorations, wreaths and cocktails. Brand new to St Andrew Square is the Christmas Tree Maze, populated with 450 illuminated Christmas trees. Finally, the beautiful Piccolo Spiegeltent will entertain children with festive tales and a chance to meet Santa himself.

Tickets and further information about Edinburgh's Christmas can be found at Edinburgh's Christmas website.