Visit Edinburgh in January

Visiting Edinburgh: January 2024

In January, after Christmas and Hogmanay, we find ourselves back in the real world. But there’s plenty happening here in Edinburgh to brighten up the winter days. In fact, this is a great time of year to come and visit us! So here are a few things to look forward to as we begin a new year in the Scottish capital…

January festivals and events

The next big Scottish festivity is Burns Night, which is celebrated on 25th January every year. This is a celebration of the life and works of one of Scotland’s most famous poets, Robert Burns. In honour of the literary legacy he left behind, Scots mark the occasion with a special Burns Supper. This involves all our favourite traditional Scottish fayre. We eat a dinner of haggis, neeps and tatties, drink fine Scotch whisky and recite ol’ Rabbie’s poetry. There are lots of Burns Night suppers, ceilidhs and events to join in Edinburgh, guaranteed to bring some cheer to a cold January evening. There is also a whole festival taking place from 25th to 28th January, the Burns & Beyond Festival, with a programme of events to celebrate the life of the bard.

Theatre breaks in Edinburgh

Edinburgh Playhouse (just around the corner from our hotel) will present several great live shows to kick off the new year. The gravity-defying musical Wicked will be on stage until 14th January. Then, Varner International Ballet will perform Sleeping Beauty on the 18th, The Nutcracker on the 19th and Swan Lake on the 20th. Plus, Shrek The Musical will bring the fairytale fun from 22nd to 27th January. See full listings here.

Attraction of the month: National Museum of Scotland

For January, our attraction of the month is the National Museum of Scotland. This large indoor museum is great to explore in the winter months. Entry is free, and you can spend hours, if not days, wandering around its many galleries and displays. Topics include art and design, science and technology, the natural world, history and archaeology, and world cultures. Plus, there are several great exhibitions on at the museum this month; Wildlife Photographer of the Year (starting on 20th January), Rising Tide, Theravāda Buddhism and Uniquely Scottish Silver.

Offer of the month: Winter Warmer

Stay in our central Edinburgh hotel for two nights, in a twin or double room with breakfast included, and a chilled bottle of prosecco on arrival, with our fantastic Winter Warmer Breaks, available throughout January 2024. Enjoy winter walks in beautiful surroundings, take advantage of the January Sales, or visit the many attractions within walking distance of the hotel. *Full details and T&Cs.

Friend wrapped up warm on a snowy day

Day trip of the month: Roslin

Edinburgh is a great base from which to explore the rest of Scotland. With convenient transport links by train and bus, and hire car options available, it’s so easy to get around. Our day trip of the month is the village of Roslin, situated just seven miles south of Edinburgh. The journey is approximately 30 minutes by car or 45 minutes by bus. Here, you can visit the famous Rosslyn Chapel, which featured in the Da Vinci Code book and film. The stunning Gothic-style building features pinnacles, gargoyles, and flying buttresses, and has been the subject of numerous conspiracy theories.

Our top January blogs

Our Edinburgh Blog features news, guides and travel information to help you plan your visit. Check out our top 5 posts for January:

  1. Visiting Edinburgh in the colder months
  2. Winter festivals in Edinburgh
  3. Free things to do in Edinburgh
  4. Outlander locations in Edinburgh
  5. Debunking the myth of Greyfriars Bobby
Old buildings in Edinburgh on a snowy day

Visiting us this January

So, book your stay at Parliament House Hotel in Edinburgh and start planning your adventures. Remember, we have further information on attractions, shopping, itineraries, road trips and more in our Edinburgh Guide. And we are always here, should you need any help planning activities during your stay.