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Excitement mounts as Edinburgh’s Christmas opening is less than 3 weeks away Traditional Norwegian Christmas Tree & Advent Concert to light-up The Mound and herald beginning of Edinburgh’s winter celebrations Plus, Scottish bagpiping icons, silent discos, ceilidhs, carol concerts and more top the bill for the beloved Ross Bandstand Winter Festivals Insta | FB | Tiktok @edinburghchristmas #edinburghchristmas FREE TO USE IMAGES HERE With just under three weeks left until Edinburgh’s Christmas events and attractions open to Edinburgh residents and visitors, the full Ross Bandstand programme is unveiled today, promising a lively hub of family-friendly and community events, taking place across four weekends leading up to Christmas. From a showstopping performance from the world-famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers to St. Andrew’s Day ceilidhs, carol concerts, Santa Runs and more, the much-loved Ross Bandstand stage will be at the centre of Edinburgh’s seasonal celebrations for 2025. A full list of highlights includes: Norwegian Christmas Tree Light-Up - Tuesday 18 November, 6pm (Public switch on at 6.15pm): A beloved annual tradition which recognises the help given to the Nordic country by Scots during World War II, this special event stands as a powerful symbol of friendship between the two nations. Each year, the must-see light-up of the gorgeous Norwegian Spruce Christmas Tree on the Mound marks a cherished moment in the city’s festive calendar, heralding the beginning of Edinburgh’s winter celebrations. The ceremony is followed by Scottish-Norwegian advent concert at St Giles’ Cathedral at 7pm, where locals and visitors alike are invited to join in for a night of musical reflection. This event is free to attend, with St Giles’ providing an atmospheric, accessible venue for elves of all ages to enjoy! Light Night Concert at West Princes Street Gardens - Sunday 23 November, 2pm until 6pm: Edinburgh’s Christmas team is busy decking the halls – and the stage! – for an afternoon of Christmas magic, featuring an appearance from the Big Man himself. Between 2pm and 4pm, the warm-up features local community groups, choirs and dancers taking over the stage with roaming entertainment, from juggling elves and face painting to dazzling Snow Queens. From 4pm until 6pm, the main event includes enchanting magical acts, big choir singalongs and a special visit from Santa, with a lantern parade and collaborations with Edinburgh’s cultural venues adding extra festive sparkle. This is a must-attend for families – giggles and jingles guaranteed! Free entry and no tickets required, just turn up on the day and get ready to sing! A Taste of Scotland - Saturday 29 November, 12pm until 6pm (free to attend): The Red Hot Chilli Pipers take centre stage at the Ross Bandstand to headline a free day of fun celebrating Scotland’s culture, craft and community spirit. Renowned across the world for their signature “bagrock” sound, the group’s high-energy performances fuse traditional pipes with rock anthems, promising to round off the day in unforgettable style. Earlier in the day, explore stalls from Scottish makers in recognition of Fair Saturday – the global movement that celebrates artists, cultural organisations, and social projects the day after Black Friday. With live music from local performers, Highland dancers, hearty stovies and more, it’s the perfect way to celebrate Scotland’s creativity and charm! St Andrew’s Day Ceilidh & Market - Sunday, 30 November, 12pm until 6pm (free to attend): Celebrating St. Andrew’s Day, Ross Bandstand comes alive on 30 November with a special free Family Ceilidh. This year, The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience will take to the stage - a band renowned as one of the top ceilidh acts in the world. With a caller to teach the steps, it doesn’t matter whether you are a dab hand at the Dashing White Sergeant or a first time Highland Flinger, everyone’s in for a lively whirl. These traditional Scottish dances are as fun and joyful to watch as they are to join, with local Highland Dancers on hand to show how it’s done. This event also brings back the local makers’ market and delicious food stalls from A Taste of Scotland on Saturday, offering another chance to browse unique crafts and enjoy a taste of Scotland’s finest fare. Nativity Scene Carols on The Mound - Sunday 30 November, 5pm until 6pm, Mound Place: Once again, the beautiful Nativity Scene, crafted by Munich sculptor Thomas Hildenbrand, returns to The Mound as a central part of Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations. Since 2023, the stunning display has become a much-loved seasonal landmark, offering a quiet space for reflection amid the bustle of the festive period. This year, the scene will be blessed by Reverend Leo Cushley, Archbishop of St Andrews & Edinburgh, marking the beginning of the city’s Christmas celebrations and inviting residents and visitors alike to pause and share in the message of peace and hope that lies at the heart of Christmas. After the blessing, visitors are invited to join the annual Nativity Carol Concert held in collaboration with Edinburgh Churches Together in Assembly Hall’s beautiful Courtyard, featuring performances from local school and church choirs. This event is free to attend, with everyone welcome! Edinburgh Sings - Saturday 6 December, 2pm until 5pm: Enjoy a wholesome afternoon of free festive music with performances from community and performance choirs. Audiences can expect performances of their favourite carols and Christmas classics at the Ross Bandstand, with plenty of opportunity to join in! Santa Run and Santa Paws - Sunday 7 December, 11am (registration 9.30am to 10.30am – starts 11am): Edinburgh’s Christmas is delighted to welcome the beloved When You Wish Upon a Star Edinburgh Santa Fun Run & Walk, celebrating 21 years this winter. The event sees Santas, Elves, Olafs and other festive creatures run, jog or walk around the 2.5km circuit in West Princes Street Gardens to fundraise money for a very deserving cause. When You Wish Upon a Star is a Scottish charity that makes the dreams of children with life-threatening diseases come true. Those who would like to take part, can register and purchase tickets here. If you are worried about your furry friends feeling left behind, worry no more: Santa Paws is here! A Santa Run but for animals, Santa Paws sees our canine friends throw on their best festive outfits and make a run for it. With photo opportunities, activities throughout the afternoon 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! Silent Disco Christmas Cracker – Saturday 13 December, 6.30pm-8pm: Get ready to dance the night away beneath the spectacular backdrop of Edinburgh Castle as the Christmas Cracker returns to the Ross Bandstand. Partygoers can choose from three music channels packed with festive favourites, with both a static DJ and a roving DJ going head-to-head to deliver the ultimate Christmas playlist. A lively, feel-good celebration, this event promises an unforgettable night of music, lights and festive cheer right in the heart of the city. For tickets, visit www.edwinterfest.com. Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “Christmas is beginning to arrive in Edinburgh, and there’s so much to look forward to across this year’s celebrations. From festive performances and community celebrations to special moments for families, most of the events on offer are free so there truly is something for everyone to enjoy. “I’m especially delighted to welcome the ever popular Red Hot Chilli Pipers to the Ross Bandstand for what promises to be a showstopping performance. I’m sure it will be a real highlight of the season and a fantastic way for people to get in the holiday spirit.” Unique Assembly spokesperson said: “West Princes Street Gardens will be bursting with festive cheer this winter, with a packed programme of free and ticketed community events spreading Christmas cheer and a warm Scottish welcome to locals and visitors alike. Whether singing loud for all to hear at the Light Night Concert and Silent Disco Christmas Cracker, birling beneath Edinburgh Castle to live ceilidh bands, watching the world-famous Red Hot Chilli Pipers sleighing the stage on St. Andrews Day weekend, or joining hundreds of Santas for a run around West Gardens, there is festive fun for everyone!’ / ENDS FREE TO USE IMAGES HERE Media Contact: ChristmasElves@premiercomms.com About event producers Unique Assembly Unique Assembly are the award-winning Edinburgh based creatives Unique Events and Assembly Festival joined forces to produce the world-renowned Edinburgh's Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations on behalf of The City of Edinburgh Council In 2024, Unique Assembly Ltd were successful in securing The City of Edinburgh Council contract to deliver Edinburgh’s Christmas & Hogmanay celebrations on a contract up to 2028/29. About Edinburgh’s Christmas Edinburgh’s Christmas is a key part of Scotland’s winter tourism calendar, generating over £150 million in economic benefit, which last year welcomed over 2.8m visitors to events throughout the city centre over a 7-week period. Report findings from Edinburgh’s Christmas 2024/25 Across a total attendance of over 2.8 million to Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions, strong attendance from international visitors demonstrated the international appeal which not only boosts the local economy but also enhances Scotland's global tourism profile. In addition, 74% of market stall traders in the Christmas Markets were Scottish, supporting the local creative crafts, drinks, food and gifts industries both financially and through profile. While 76% of artists and creatives who took part in Edinburgh’s Winter festivals events were local. In the annual audience survey over 70% of visitors from outwith the city cited Edinburgh’s Christmas as the primary reason for travelling to Edinburgh, staying an average of 1.85 nights. Over 90% of respondents were satisfied to extremely satisfied with their experience with over 95% agreeing that Edinburgh’s Christmas is a valuable and iconic part of Edinburgh’s winter identity, bringing a festive spirit to the city. 90% also said they are more likely to return to Edinburgh during the festival season because of their experience. The average spend per party was £537 across eating out, attractions, retail and in bars and pubs. An increasing number of local residents are taking up their special ticket offer at Edinburgh’s Christmas with 101,500 discounted EH postcode tickets sold last year. The Nativity Scene has been generously donated to the City of Edinburgh by: Archdiocese of Munich & Freising Archdiocese of St Andrews & Edinburgh Diocese of Edinburgh Edinburgh City Centre Churches Together Sir Tom and Lady Anne Farmer The City of Edinburgh Council The City of Munich Council The Presbytery of Edinburgh and West Lothian
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