Edinburgh scraps its Christmas ice rink after almost 30 years
Edinburgh’s Christmas ice rink will not return in 2026: organisers have confirmed its cancellation after almost 30 years. The attraction, which in recent years stood on George Street, will not be part of the festive programme, running from 14 November 2026 to 27 January 2027.
The rink was a fixture of the city-centre celebrations for nearly three decades: it stood first in Princes Street Gardens, then in St Andrew Square and in recent years on George Street. According to BBC News and the Edinburgh Evening News, the decision follows cost concerns and the uncertainty over the reopening of Princes Street after the fire that closed it this summer.
Edinburgh’s Christmas market, a seasonal staple since 1999, goes ahead with much of its usual offer: traditional markets, outdoor events and fairground rides. The organisers hope the rink will return in future years, while local businesses have voiced dismay at the decision.
An ice rink in the middle of a city centre demands a precisely sized refrigeration plant and constant maintenance. Napapiri has manufactured, rented and sold real-ice rinks, mobile and permanent, for municipalities, event organisers and sports and leisure facilities worldwide since 1993. Quotation within 24 hours.
Source: BBC News — “Edinburgh’s Christmas ice rink axed after almost 30 years” (26 October 2026); Edinburgh Evening News (26 October 2026); Time Out (28 October 2026).
Photo: the ice rink in Princes Street Gardens, Edinburgh — the rink’s original location — on 26 November 2011. Photo by Daniel (daniel0685), via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 2.0. Archive photo: it does not show the George Street location or the 2026 season, and it is not the work of Napapiri.
