A beloved annual tradition which recognises the help given to the Nordic country by Scots\u00a0\u00a0during World War II, this special event stands as a powerful symbol of friendship between the\u00a0\u00a0two nations. Each year, the must-see light-up of the gorgeous Norwegian Spruce Christmas\u00a0\u00a0Tree on the Mound marks a cherished moment in the city\u2019s festive calendar, heralding the\u00a0\u00a0beginning of Edinburgh\u2019s winter celebrations.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The ceremony is followed by Scottish-Norwegian advent concert at St Giles\u2019 Cathedral at 7pm,\u00a0\u00a0where locals and visitors alike are invited to join in for a night of musical reflection. This event\u00a0\u00a0is free to attend, with St Giles\u2019 providing an atmospheric, accessible venue for elves of all ages\u00a0\u00a0to enjoy!\u00a0<\/p>\n
Light Night Concert at West Princes Street Gardens \u2013 Sunday 23 November, 2pm until\u00a0<\/strong>6pm:<\/strong><\/p>\n Edinburgh\u2019s Christmas team is busy decking the halls \u2013 and the stage! \u2013 for an afternoon of\u00a0\u00a0Christmas magic, featuring an appearance from the Big Man himself. Between 2pm and 4pm,\u00a0\u00a0the warm-up features local community groups, choirs and dancers taking over the stage with\u00a0\u00a0roaming entertainment, from juggling elves and face painting to dazzling Snow Queens. From\u00a0\u00a04pm until 6pm, the main event includes enchanting magical acts, big choir singalongs and a\u00a0\u00a0special visit from Santa, with a lantern parade and collaborations with Edinburgh\u2019s cultural\u00a0\u00a0venues adding extra festive sparkle. This is a must-attend for families \u2013 giggles and jingles\u00a0\u00a0guaranteed! Free entry and no tickets required, just turn up on the day and get ready to sing!\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n A Taste of Scotland \u2013 Saturday 29 November, 12pm until 6pm (free to attend):<\/strong><\/p>\n The\u00a0Red Hot Chilli Pipers\u00a0<\/strong>take centre stage at the Ross Bandstand to headline a free day of\u00a0\u00a0fun celebrating Scotland\u2019s culture, craft and community spirit. Renowned across the world for\u00a0\u00a0their signature \u201cbagrock\u201d sound, the group\u2019s high-energy performances fuse traditional pipes\u00a0\u00a0with rock anthems, promising to round off the day in unforgettable style.\u00a0<\/p>\n Earlier in the day, explore stalls from Scottish makers in recognition of Fair Saturday \u2013 the\u00a0\u00a0global movement that celebrates artists, cultural organisations, and social projects the day\u00a0\u00a0after Black Friday. With live music from local performers, Highland dancers, hearty stovies\u00a0\u00a0and more, it\u2019s the perfect way to celebrate Scotland\u2019s creativity and charm!\u00a0<\/p>\n St Andrew\u2019s Day Ceilidh & Market \u2013 Sunday, 30 November, 12pm until 6pm (free to\u00a0<\/strong>attend):<\/strong><\/p>\n Celebrating St. Andrew\u2019s Day, Ross Bandstand comes alive on 30 November with a special\u00a0\u00a0free Family Ceilidh. This year,\u00a0The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience\u00a0<\/strong>will take to the\u00a0\u00a0stage \u2013 a band renowned as one of the top ceilidh acts in the world. With a caller to teach the\u00a0\u00a0steps, it doesn\u2019t matter whether you are a dab hand at the Dashing White Sergeant or a first time Highland Flinger, everyone\u2019s in for a lively whirl. These traditional Scottish dances are as\u00a0\u00a0fun and joyful to watch as they are to join, with local Highland Dancers on hand to show how\u00a0\u00a0it\u2019s done.\u00a0<\/p>\n This event also brings back the local makers\u2019 market and delicious food stalls from A Taste of\u00a0Scotland on Saturday, offering another chance to browse unique crafts and enjoy a taste of\u00a0Scotland\u2019s finest fare.\u00a0<\/p>\n Nativity Scene Carols on The Mound \u2013 Sunday 30 November, 5pm until 6pm, Mound\u00a0Place:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n Once again, the beautiful Nativity Scene, crafted by Munich sculptor Thomas Hildenbrand,\u00a0\u00a0returns to The Mound as a central part of Edinburgh\u2019s Christmas celebrations. Since 2023,\u00a0\u00a0the stunning display has become a much-loved seasonal landmark, offering a quiet space for\u00a0\u00a0reflection amid the bustle of the festive period.<\/p>\n This year, the scene will be blessed by Reverend Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews &\u00a0\u00a0Edinburgh, marking the beginning of the city\u2019s Christmas celebrations and inviting residents\u00a0\u00a0and visitors alike to pause and share in the message of peace and hope that lies at the heart\u00a0\u00a0of Christmas.<\/p>\n After the blessing, visitors are invited to join the annual Nativity Carol Concert held in\u00a0\u00a0collaboration with Edinburgh Churches Together in Assembly Hall\u2019s beautiful Courtyard,\u00a0\u00a0featuring performances from local school and church choirs. This event is free to attend, with\u00a0\u00a0everyone welcome!<\/p>\n Edinburgh Sings \u2013 Saturday 6 December, 2pm until 5pm:<\/strong>Enjoy a wholesome afternoon of free festive music with performances from community and\u00a0\u00a0performance choirs. Audiences can expect performances of their favourite carols and\u00a0\u00a0Christmas classics at the Ross Bandstand, with plenty of opportunity to join in!\u00a0<\/p>\n Santa Run and Santa Paws \u2013 Sunday 7 December, 11am (registration 9.30am to 10.30am\u00a0<\/strong>\u2013 starts 11am):<\/strong><\/p>\n Edinburgh\u2019s Christmas is delighted to welcome the beloved When You Wish Upon a Star\u00a0\u00a0Edinburgh Santa Fun Run & Walk, celebrating 21 years this winter. The event sees Santas,\u00a0\u00a0Elves, Olafs and other festive creatures run, jog or walk around the 2.5km circuit in West\u00a0\u00a0Princes Street Gardens to fundraise money for a very deserving cause. When You Wish Upon\u00a0\u00a0a Star is a Scottish charity that makes the dreams of children with life-threatening diseases\u00a0\u00a0come true. Those who would like to take part, can register and purchase tickets\u00a0here.\u00a0<\/p>\n If you are worried about your furry friends feeling left behind, worry no more: Santa Paws is\u00a0\u00a0here! A Santa Run but for animals, Santa Paws sees our canine friends throw on their best\u00a0\u00a0festive outfits and make a run for it. With photo opportunities, activities throughout the\u00a0\u00a0afternoon and a dog show of best dressed pups on the Bandstand stage, West Princes Street Gardens is paw-sitively the place to be this festive season!\u00a0<\/p>\n Silent Disco Christmas Cracker \u2013 Saturday 13 December, 6.30pm-8pm:<\/strong>Get ready to dance the night away beneath the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle as\u00a0\u00a0the Christmas Cracker returns to the Ross Bandstand. Partygoers can choose from three\u00a0\u00a0music channels packed with festive favourites, with both a static DJ and a roving DJ going\u00a0\u00a0head-to-head to deliver the ultimate Christmas playlist. A lively, feel-good celebration, this\u00a0\u00a0event promises an unforgettable night of music, lights and festive cheer right in the heart of\u00a0\u00a0the city. For tickets, visit\u00a0www.edwinterfest.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n Council Leader Jane Meagher said:\u00a0<\/strong>\u201cChristmas is beginning to arrive in Edinburgh, and\u00a0\u00a0there\u2019s so much to look forward to across this year\u2019s celebrations. From festive performances\u00a0\u00a0and community celebrations to special moments for families, most of the events on offer are\u00a0\u00a0free so there truly is something for everyone to enjoy.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m especially delighted to welcome the ever popular Red Hot Chilli Pipers to the Ross\u00a0\u00a0Bandstand for what promises to be a showstopping performance. I\u2019m sure it will be a real\u00a0\u00a0highlight of the season and a fantastic way for people to get in the holiday spirit.\u201d<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Unique Assembly said: \u201cWest Princes Street Gardens will be bursting with\u00a0\u00a0festive cheer this winter, with a packed programme of free and ticketed community events\u00a0\u00a0spreading Christmas cheer and a warm Scottish welcome to locals and visitors alike. Whether\u00a0\u00a0singing loud for all to hear at the Light Night Concert and Silent Disco Christmas Cracker,\u00a0\u00a0birling beneath Edinburgh Castle to live ceilidh bands, watching the world-famous Red Hot\u00a0\u00a0Chilli Pipers sleighing the stage on St. Andrews Day weekend, or joining hundreds of Santas\u00a0for a run around West Gardens, there is festive fun for everyone!\u201d<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1761759438_800_w=768.jpeg\")
Credit Craig Duncan<\/p>\n
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