It has been announced that Edinburgh’s Christmas ice rink has been scrapped after almost three decades.
Recently, the rink has been found on George Street and has been a major part of Edinburgh’s Christmas programme.
The rink which has also been situated at Princes Street Gardens and St Andrew Square will not be part of the festivities for the first time in 30 years.
An Edinburgh’s Christmas spokesperson said: “We continually review the programme and listen to feedback from our audiences, partners and businesses as we look at how Edinburgh’s Christmas can evolve from year to year.
“An ice rink requires a great deal of advance planning, with the ice rink supplier, design of structures and site arrangements committed months ahead. Those decisions had to be made over the summer, at a time when key parts of the city centre were closed and there was real uncertainty about when Princes Street would reopen and what the knock-on effects would be. This, alongside the significant costs of staging a rink in the city centre, with no opportunity for funding support, resulted in us taking the difficult but necessary decision not to present the ice rink on George Street this year.
“We know how much people have enjoyed skating as part of Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations, and we hope the rink will return as we start the planning process for future years.
“We’re excited about this year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas programme, and attractions on George Street include Polar Ice Barand Warming area, including an increased number of Family Sessions, and the return of the popular Coorie Inn, this year hosting a festive programme of free live music, festive workshops, talks and ceilidh dancing.
“A further new addition for 2026, sees the introduction of festive shows and cabaret at Bristo Square, and we look forward to welcoming audiences to a wide range of attractions and experiences across the city.”