The first nationwide Fair Saturday is coming to Edinburgh on 1 December, extending St Andrew’s Day celebrations with a festival of cultural events that promote fairness and sharing while raising funds for good causes.
Twenty St Andrew’s Fair Saturday events are taking place in Edinburgh, with ‘Dunedin Consort – The Golden Age’ launching the celebrations on 30 November at Canongate Kirk taking donations for Sistema Scotland.
On Saturday 1 December events include Scottish Poetry Library workshops fundraising for Whale Arts, ‘The Penalty’ at The Queen’s Hall raising funds for Social Bite, ‘Arts for all – Open Day’ at the Scottish Arts Club supporting St. Cuthbert’s and ‘Silent Light’ at George Street donating proceeds to Deafblind Scotland, National Deaf Children Society and the Royal National Institute of Blind People.
The full programme of nationwide events is now available on the St Andrew’s Fair Saturday website – www.scotland.org/standrewsday
Originating in Spain, Fair Saturday is a global movement to boost culture and social empathy, acknowledging that the arts are powerful force for good which have a positive impact on wellbeing and encourage inclusiveness. St Andrew’s Fair Saturday is part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals and will support the #MakeSomeonesDay campaign, which urges Scots to spread a little kindness to mark the national day.
Jordi Albareda, Fair Saturday Director and Founder said: “Scots are known around the world for their warmth and generous spirit, so it is fitting that the first nationwide Fair Saturday is taking place in Scotland.
“From highland dancing in Bowmore, art exhibitions in Stromness, live music workshops in Livingston and opera in North Berwick, we’ve had a great response from the Scottish people, with local groups signing up to support the social causes which mean the most to their community.”
Scotland’s Winter Festivals is supported by £550,000 from the Scottish Government – opening with St Andrew’s Day on 30 November. This will be followed by events over the Christmas period, Hogmanay and, in January, Burns Night.
#FairSaturday
St Andrew’s Fair Saturday events taking place in Edinburgh
30 November
- ‘Dunedin Consort – The Golden Age’ at Canongate Kirk, 7:30pm-9:30pm
- ‘St Andrew’s Conga’ at Royal Mile, 10:00am – 12:00pm
- ‘Live Music Now’ at Meadowbank Church, 10:30am – 11:30am
- ‘St Andrew’s Day Lecture with Alastair McIntosh’ at St Giles’ Cathedral, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
1 December
- ‘The Penalty’ at The Queen’s Hall, 8:00pm – 9:30pm
- ‘Arts for all – Open Day’ at the Scottish Arts Club, 10:30am – 4:30pm
- ‘Oh What a Lovely War’ at the Scottish Arts Club, 7:00pm – 10:00pm
- Scottish Poetry Library workshops fundraising for Whale Arts, 13:00 – 2:30pm
- ‘Christmas at the Cottage’ at the Royal Botanic Gardens, 12:00pm – 3:00pm
- ‘A Welcoming Workshop’ at The Welcoming Association, 2:00pm – 4:00pm
- ‘Family Ceilidh’ at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 2:30pm – 4:00pm
- ‘Fisherman’s Feast’ at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, 7:00pm – 9:00pm
- ‘Silent Light’ at George Street, assorted performances
- ‘Consort of Voices present – Auld Alliance’ at Institut français d’Ecosse, Parliament Square, 6:00pm – 7:00pm
- ‘Big St Andrew’s Service and Fundraising Dinner’ at Mayfield Parish Church, 7:00pm – 9:30pm