For those travelling to Edinburgh over the festive season and keen to catch the Castle of Light, there’s a little-known trick that allows you to experience the UK’s biggest projection show for free.
The annual winter event has returned for its sixth year at Edinburgh Castle, running from late November 2025 through to early January 2026.
Each evening, the iconic Scottish fortress is transformed by immersive light installations, music and storytelling, with this year’s theme centered on Fire and Ice.
Tickets are in high demand and visitors are advised to book ahead, with adult entry priced at £24 and tickets for children aged seven to 15 costing £15.
However, there is a way to enjoy the event while avoiding the crowds and high cost – and it requires a short detour to the National Museum of Scotland.
The museum’s free rooftop terrace offers sweeping views across the city, making it the perfect vantage point to watch the colourful projections without stepping foot on the castle grounds.
Situated on Chambers Street, the National Museum of Scotland is just a four-minute drive from Edinburgh Castle.
To catch the show at its best, visitors should arrive after dusk – when the projections begin – and take the lift or stairs to the museum’s fifth floor.
There’s a little-known trick that allows visitors to see the UK’s biggest projection show at Edinburgh Castle for free – without stepping foot on the castle grounds
The annual winter show has returned for its sixth year at the famous Scottish landmark, with this year’s theme centered on Fire and Ice
The dazzling event runs from late November 2025 through to early January 2026
For an added bonus, guests can take in spectacular views over Edinburgh while watching the castle light up against the night sky.
Those who do opt to buy tickets should head to the Castle between 4.30pm and 9pm, with final entry between 7.30pm and 7.45pm.
Visitors can wander through shimmering displays, encounter the Ice Queen in her frozen Great Hall, and watch a towering dragon illuminate the darkness.
The experience features a series of immersive projections and interactive installations throughout the site, as detailed on Edinburgh Castle’s official website.
With toasted marshmallows available at the warming fire pit, alongside a selection of drinks and festive snacks from the Queen Anne Café Bar and street food stalls, it promises a magical winter evening for visitors of all ages.
It comes after the UK’s best value theme parked launched the country’s biggest light show – featuring impressive fire and water displays.
Drayton Manor’s end-of-day extravaganza began in October, and has since become a nightly light show across the lake.
The roof terrace at the National Museum of Scotland, situated just a four-minute drive from Edinburgh Castle, provides the perfect vantage point to watch the colourful projections for free
To catch the show at its best, visitors should arrive at the museum after dusk and take the lift or stairs to the museum’s fifth floor
Visitors can wander through shimmering displays and marvel at a series of immersive projections and interactive installations throughout the site
The first display took place on October 25, combining a 30-metre water screen, more than 65 water jets, bursts of fire, vibrant lights and animated projections.
The show originally had a ‘Monsters and Magic’ theme – in line with the park’s schedule of Halloween entertainment.
Its theme will adapt to suit seasonal events throughout the year, such as the recently displayed Christmas Miracle on the Lake, part of Drayton Manor’s Christmas Wonderland event.
Working alongside leading industry experts, CRYSTAL – the team behind the Paris Olympics opening ceremony and other large-scale shows that involve water, lights, sound and video projection – the show is the biggest of its kind in the UK.