Edinburgh weather by month
| Month | Average high | Daylight | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°C | ~7.5 h | Cheapest, Burns Night (25 Jan) |
| February | 8°C | ~9.5 h | Six Nations rugby weekends |
| March | 10°C | ~12 h | Quiet, good deals |
| April | 12°C | ~14 h | Science Festival, Beltane Fire Festival (30 April) |
| May | 15°C | ~16 h | One of the best months |
| June | 18°C | ~17.5 h | Longest days, light until 11pm |
| July | 19°C | ~17 h | Warmest, busy |
| August | 19°C | ~15 h | Festivals, peak prices |
| September | 16°C | ~13 h | Great value after the festivals |
| October | 13°C | ~10.5 h | Autumn colours, ghost tours |
| November | 9°C | ~8.5 h | Christmas market opens |
| December | 7°C | ~7 h | Christmas, Hogmanay |
Rain is possible in any month but usually comes as showers. Wind is the bigger factor, especially on Arthur’s Seat and Calton Hill. Forecasts: Met Office.
August: festival season
Every August, the city hosts the Edinburgh Festival Fringe (the world’s largest arts festival, with thousands of shows), the Edinburgh International Festival, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo on the castle esplanade and the book festival. The atmosphere is electric, with street performers along the Royal Mile. Downsides: hotel prices can double or triple and must be booked months ahead. Programmes are on Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Christmas and Hogmanay
Edinburgh’s Christmas runs from mid-November into early January, with markets and a big wheel in Princes Street Gardens. Hogmanay (New Year) includes a torchlight procession, a street party and fireworks over the castle at midnight. Street party tickets sell out, so book early.
Find tours & tickets in EdinburghCheapest time to visit
January to March and November have the lowest hotel prices, apart from rugby weekends. Days are short and cold, but museums, pubs and whisky bars make it cosy.
Search cheap flights to EdinburghBest time for the Highlands
May, June and September offer long days and fewer midges (small biting insects common in July and August in the west Highlands). Winter tours run too, but daylight is short. See Highlands day trip from Edinburgh.
What to pack
- A waterproof jacket and layers in every season.
- Comfortable shoes with grip for cobbles and hills.
- A warm hat and gloves from November to March.
More Edinburgh guides
- Edinburgh travel guide
- 20 best things to do in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh itinerary: 2, 3 or 4 days
- Where to stay in Edinburgh
- Edinburgh Airport to the city centre
- Edinburgh Castle tickets
- Highlands and Loch Ness day trip
- UK ETA: who needs it and how to apply
FAQ: best time to visit Edinburgh
What is the best month to visit Edinburgh?
May or September: pleasant weather, long days and lower prices than summer.
When is the Edinburgh Fringe?
It runs for most of August every year. Exact dates are published on the official Fringe website.
Does it snow in Edinburgh?
Occasionally between December and March, but snow rarely lasts more than a day or two in the city.
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