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Magic of Christmas set to make Edinburgh sparkle this Winter

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Edinburgh’s Christmas returns to bring joy this winter from Saturday 15 November to Sunday 4 January
Family favourites set to return including Santa Stories, Ice Skating, LNER Big Wheel, Around the World Starflyer and the Family Festive Funfair
Traditional Christmas Markets return to East Princes Street Gardens – organisers open Trader Applications and call for local traders to join the festivities
Local EH Resident Discount returns to spread extra Christmas cheer across the city
Tickets go on sale from July – register to receive 48hours advance access and discounts.

Edinburgh started to unwrap its annual Christmas present on Friday, with the announcement of this year’s festive celebration dates and a first hint of what to expect this year.

Festivities in the capital will start from Saturday 15 November 2025, running over New Year and through to Sunday 4 January 2026, Edinburgh’s city centre will be aglow with festive wonder, as this year’s hugely varied programme of festive favourites and fresh winter wonderlands really does have something for everyone.

East Princes Street Gardens sees the return of the Traditional Christmas Market, where a multitude of market stall holders offer locally made crafts from twinkly wooden cabins. Whether visitors fancy strawberries and marshmallows dipped in chocolate, mulled wine or big bratwurst sausages, the food and drink stalls placed throughout the market cater for all tastes.

Last year three quarters of the Christmas Market was made up of local and Scottish traders selling everything from hand-made Christmas Ornaments to delicious festive fare. Organisers have opened applications for this year already seeing a strong return interest but have put out a call encouraging more local businesses and independent retailers to take the opportunity to showcase the best of our arts, crafts and artisan produce.

Organisers work closely with traders to ensure a successful winter season supporting the local economy. Find out more information here.

Councillor Margaret Graham, Culture and Communities Convener, said: “This year Edinburgh’s Christmas looks set to light up the city centre once again with an exciting programme of events for everyone to enjoy.

“I’m really pleased that the Edinburgh community will be a focus too, with discounted tickets, offers for local groups and fund-raising for local charities taking place. The Capital truly is a magical place to be at this time of year and there’s so much on offer throughout the city.”

Lawrence Thorburn, owner of Edinburgh’s Nutcracker Christmas Shop said: “As local business owners, we are thrilled to see the return of Edinburgh’s Christmas Market this winter.

“We have already submitted an application for what will be our 12th season at the Edinburgh’s Christmas Market. As a local, family business, with permanent premises in the city we welcome the opportunity to showcase our products and provide Christmas gifts to such a large audience.

“Working with Unique Assembly over the past three years, we have seen the Market go from strength to strength and we are keen to return, looking forward to welcoming locals and visitors from around the world.

“The event has become imperative for our small family business and our team look forward to taking part each year.”

For those with a head for heights, a trip on the LNER Big Wheel or the 80M Around the World Star Flyer offer incredible views of the city. Of course, for those who prefer to be at ground level, other rides will be available and a trip on the Helter-Skelter is always a family favourite.

Edinburgh’s Christmas will also be welcoming families back to West Princes Street Gardens and organisers look forward to revealing more about the programme of free festive community events and family funfair rides in the coming weeks.

Other favourites returning this year include the very popular opportunity to meet the man himself and his elves at Santa’s Stories. Children will also be able to write that all important letter to the big man and drop it straight into the Santa Post-box. And for budding Dancing on Ice stars and those who just want to have a wobble, the return of the outdoor ice rink will be welcome news.

Each year Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals brings festive cheer across the city. In 2025 the EH Residents Discount will return, offering locals over 100,000 tickets at a 20% discount for the ice-rink, Santa Stories and fairground rides, helping locals to enjoy that little bit more this Christmas.

Edinburgh’s Christmas will once again be working with local community groups to give away thousands of tickets for fairground rides, ice-skating and Santa Stories and looking to raise donations for city charities through tickets and donation points across Edinburgh’s Christmas. More information regarding this year’s charities will be announced in due course.

Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions are open daily except Christmas Day, with varying opening dates and times available at the official website.

Register now to receive updates, be the first to hear when tickets are about to go on sale, and access a limited opening ticket discount by signing up here – www.edinburghwinterfestivals.com

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas is always a highlight of the year within our city centre. The attractions welcome thousands of residents and visitors to enjoy the most magical time of the year.

“With Edinburgh’s city centre home to high class retail and hospitality businesses to suit everyone’s tastes, this Christmas promises to be another fantastic time to visit and enjoy the best of Edinburgh.”

Unique Assembly, producers of Edinburgh’s Christmas said: “We are thrilled to share this year’s dates for Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations, with a seven-week programme packed full of family favourites, plus new events and attractions to be announced.

“This year’s event promises to be one of the best ever and we look forward to welcoming everyone to enjoy some sparkle as the nights close in.”

Exploratory plans lodged to turn Edinburgh’s iconic Wonderland Models shop into restaurants

Exploratory plans have been lodged with the city council to transform the beloved Edinburgh hobby shop Wonderland Models into new restaurants.

Wonderland Models has been established as one of Scotland’s leading model shops for over 50 years.

As part of the shop’s future planning, the team behind the store are investigating the option of converting the properties in their current location into restaurants, with the model shop business potentially relocating elsewhere.

Wonderland Models has operated out of 97-103 Lothian Road for decades, serving generations of capital residents with a selection of niche toys, crafts, and models. Documents have been submitted to Edinburgh Council for a potential change of use, transforming the shop into two separate restaurants with new signage, replacing the classic Wonderland storefront.

The interior, currently outfitted with shop rooms, would be refitted to include kitchens, dining rooms, food preparation areas, and restrooms.

Wonderland Models has been one of Scotland’s leading model shops for 53 years. The shop has a global reputation as a model-making emporium for enthusiasts and is a signature part of the Edinburgh retail landscape.

Managing Director Iain Reid said: “For over 50 years, our bespoke range of paints to modelling kits have captured the minds of families. Not a day goes by when we do not see parents bringing their children in for the first time, just as their mums and dads did with them.

“Wonderland Models has been established as one of Scotland’s leading model shops for over 50 years, and as part of our future planning, we are investigating the option of turning the properties in our current location into restaurants with the model shop business potentially relocating elsewhere. We are currently exploring several options as part of this process.

“Lothian Road has changed beyond recognition since we started here back in the 1980s with many retail shops closing to be replaced by food and beverage outlets and the number of office workers (many now working just 3 days per week in the office) in the area similarly declining since the Covid pandemic. This has resulted in a substantial decline in foot traffic.

“It is critical to note to our loyal customers this is an exploratory move. It’s business as usual for us and will remain that way for the foreseeable future. If a change does come, you can rest assured we will still be a fixture in the capital.

“Wonderland Models remains utterly committed to our customers. We’re a unique shop in the Edinburgh retail landscape, and we are enormously grateful to our customers who have given us their business, love, and loyalty for over half a century.”

George Street and First New Town project passes crucial milestone

‘We’re on our way to delivering a bold new vision for George Street and our city centre’

A full design for the George Street and First New Town project, has been approved by the Transport and Environment Committee.

The report discusses the completion of the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) Stage 4 Technical Design. The progression of this stage has led to a revised overall cost estimate of £35.07m, representing a saving of over £4.3m on previous estimates.

The wider project was included to proceed under the City Mobility Plan Prioritisation programme in May 2025, following a rigorous assessment of feasibility.

The full design will contain the following features:

Plans for natural stone material throughout (including yorkstone slabs on the footway, re-laid traditional setts in the parking areas, whinstone kerbs and setts on the carriageway).
Dwell zones with incorporated raised planters and seating.
Eight trees (four at the Charlotte Square end, four at the St Andrew Square end) along with low-level planting within a Sustainable Urban Drainage System (SuDs), linking to the existing drainage system.
Full suite of Hostile Vehicle Measures (HVM) at all junctions and associated utility diversions.

Under the current timeline, construction is due to begin in Autumn 2027 and take approximately two years with a further one-year defect period.

The appropriate road orders will now be implemented before moving on to final budget confirmation and ultimately to RIBA Stage 4B (Tender) and securing of statutory consents. Final approval will then be sought to proceed to RIBA Stage 5 (Construction).

The full report is available to view on the city council website.

Transport and Environment Convener, Councillor Stephen Jenkinson said: “I’m really pleased that we’ve taken the decision today to move forward with the George Street and First New Town project. The project is rooted in making the area safer, more sustainable and accessible for all.

“This is a unique opportunity to bring one of Edinburgh’s most important streets into the modern world whilst still maintaining its unique history and features.

“The wider potential improvements are vast, from benefits to local residents and businesses to enhancing Edinburgh as a visitor destination, and beyond – we’re on our way to delivering a bold new vision for George Street and our city centre.

“Whilst we’re committed to this important project, we’re also committed to making broader improvements across the city for the benefit of all our residents.”

First look inside Edinburgh’s newly refurbished Filmhouse cinema

NEW SCREENS AND SPACES UNVEILED IN NEW IMAGES OF THE LANDMARK, REFURBISHED CINEMA

SCOTLAND’S FLAGSHIP CINEMA IN EDINBURGH REOPENS ITS DOORS TO THE PUBLIC TOMORROW – ON 27 JUNE 2025

Edinburgh’s landmark cinema Filmhouse has today revealed images of its new screens and spaces ahead of its public reopening tomorrow Friday 27 June.

Built in a repurposed church on Edinburgh’s Lothian Road, Filmhouse has been a cinematic landmark since 1978. Following a £2 million refurbishment, Scotland’s leading independent cinema Filmhouse returns with new leadership, a vision which builds on the venue’s legacy as a space for learning and discovery, and a commitment to building a sustainable future for this iconic cultural landmark. 

Screen 1 has a capacity of 186 seats + 2 wheelchair spaces. The screen has Dual 35mm/70mm film projectors, 4K digital projection and 5.1 audio.

Screen 2 has a capacity of 70 seats + 1 wheelchair space. The screen has dual 35mm film projectors and can screen 2K digital projection with 5.1 audio

Screen 3 has a capacity of 57 + 2 wheelchair spaces. The screen has dual 35mm film projectors and a 16mm film projector and can screen 2K digital projection with 5.1 audio.

Soon to be unveiled Screen 4 will have a capacity of 22 + 1 wheelchair space and will include 2K digital projection and 5.1 audio

The completely refurbished Filmhouse Bar will be able to seat 100 people for lunch and dinner, with drinks available throughout the day, catering for film fans who enjoyed the welcoming atmosphere, and placing an emphasis on produce from Edinburgh and Scotland, offering great food and drink alongside environmental sustainability. Filmhouse fans will be pleased to know that the cinema’s world-famous nachos are staying put too.  

Comfort has been prioritised across the new Filmhouse. Film-lovers can expect extra legroom and comfortable seats across the cinema’s screens, alongside a completely reworked foyer space.  

Following its closure in October 2022, the reopening of Filmhouse marks the culmination of a three-year long campaign to save the historic cinema backed by film lovers in Edinburgh, Scotland, and around the world and by A-list film talent including patrons Jack Lowden and Charlotte Wells, as well as Dougray Scott, Brian Cox, and Emma Thompson.

Filmhouse will re-open its doors with a hand-picked programme of the very best films the cinema missed out on playing during the venue’s two-and-a-half-year closure. The programme will have a strong emphasis on films that did not screen in the city because of its absence.

Tickets are on sale now via the Filmhouse website.

Filmhouse has long been celebrated as a cultural cornerstone, showcasing world cinema in all its brilliance and diversity, from crowd-pleasing favourites to avant-garde arthouse works, restored classics, and curated retrospectives. 

The first film to welcome audiences back to the venue will be the much-loved film gem and ode to the beauty of the cinemagoing experience, Giuseppe Tornatore’s Cinema Paradiso (1988).

Filmhouse is set to once again become a hub for film enthusiasts, offering a cutting-edge cinematic experience, a vibrant social space, and a platform for film lovers and filmmakers to engage with the very best in global cinema.

Previously a three-screen venue, the new Filmhouse will become a four-screen cinema and soon will be unveiling a fourth screen with a capacity of 24, allowing for an even more expansive programme, as well as being available for private screenings and hires.

Filmhouse’s technical capabilities include 70mm, 35mm, 16mm, 8mm, and digital projection. The cinema also includes a Clipster Unit for creating Digital Cinema Packages (DCPs) required for festival and theatrical distribution. 

The stage is set, the screens are ready, and the story of Filmhouse continues!

Edinburgh Primary School children take to Usher Hall stage for the Edinburgh 900 Big Sing event

On Friday 20 June, over 1,100 children from 22 City of Edinburgh primary schools joined together for the Edinburgh 900 Big Sing event at the Usher Hall.

Taking to the stage was an orchestra of 70 primary school aged musicians, eight singers from Edinburgh Schools Rock Ensemble and a choir of pupils from Castlebrae Community High School and Tynecastle High Schools.

The event showcased collaborative performances from the City of Edinburgh Instrumental Music Service, Youth Music Initiative Music Instructors, Royal Conservatoire of Scotland students and Love Music.

During the event, pupils were invited to join in and sing six songs, taught and led by presenter and choir leader, Stephen Deazley. The event also featured the world premiere of a song written especially for the event by the award-winning Scottish indie-pop band, Sacred Paws, called ‘Better Side Of Town’.

Musicians Ray Aggs and Eilidh Rodgers worked with pupils from Castlebrae Community High School and Tynecastle High Schools to write lyrics and musical material for the song alongside Love Music’s Artistic Director, Stephen Deazley.

This event formed part of the celebration of Edinburgh 900, marking 900 years of formal ‘local democracy’ when, in 1124 King David I created the royal burgh of Edinburgh, one of the oldest in Scotland.

This year, a series of events, talks, tours and tales will help to tell the fascinating and diverse stories of Edinburgh’s journey and unique story.

PICTURE: Adam Cooke

Councillor James Dalgleish, Convener Education, Children and Families Committee commented: “It was a real pleasure to hear the musical talents of Edinburgh primary school children on display in the setting of the Usher Hall.

“Music has a unique ability to unite and inspire, and it was fantastic to see the way that pupils from across our schools joined together to in a fun and inclusive way.

“I want to thank our Instrumental Music Service teachers and school staff who made this event possible, and congratulate our young musicians on a brilliantperformance.

Stephen Deazley, Love Music Artistic Director said: “Creating space and opportunity for joyful communal singing is so important for our young people and school communities.

“Nothing lifts your spirit like it, which is why we were delighted to be invited to work alongside amazing musicians from Edinburgh’s instrumental Music Service to bring this ambitious project to the Usher Hall.”

Three charged after day of action in Edinburgh to tackle retail crime

Three people have been charged following a day of action in Edinburgh city centre to address retail crime.

On Wednesday, 18 June, local policing officers joined colleagues from the Retail Crime Taskforce to undertake high-visibility patrols and visit retail premises to deter offences such as shoplifting and identify those involved in criminal activity affecting the area’s shops and businesses.

As a result, 13 stop and searches were conducted and three people are now subject to reports to the Procurator Fiscal.

A 49-year-old man was found in possession of drugs, which have been sent for analysis.

A 40-year-old male was stopped following a shoplifting and was arrested and charged with conditions not to enter the city centre. Stolen property worth £400 was recovered at this time.

A 24-year-old female was also charged with theft following the recovery of £50 worth of stolen goods.

Over 30 premises were visited, and extensive intelligence was also gathered for further inquiry throughout the day of action.

Inspector Gordon Duff said: “Our day of action was supported by key partners at Retailers Against Crime, Essential Edinburgh, BTP, Lothian Busses and the retailers operating within the city centre.

“We want activity like this to send a very clear message that retail crime is being treated as a priority and extensive time and resource is being dedicated to reducing offences and bring those responsible to justice.

“I’m grateful to all of the officers and partners that provided vital assistance, and the public can rest assured further activity will take place as we actively target all of those involved in the various forms of retail crime affecting Edinburgh’s businesses.”

Monkeys: Our Primate Family

Major exhibition opens in Edinburgh this weekend

National Museum of Scotland, Chambers Street, Edinburgh
28 June–30 November 2025

Tickets for Monkeys: Our Primate Family are available to book at nms.ac.uk/Monkeys

The biggest exhibition of primate behaviour ever staged returns to the National Museum of Scotland this weekend. From huge gorillas to tiny mouse lemurs, Monkeys: Our Primate Family (28 Jun – 30 Nov 2025) explores the remarkable lives of our closest relatives.

Ahead of the opening on Saturday 28 June, experts at the National Museum of Scotland have been adding the finishing touches to more than 60 spectacular monkey, ape, lemur and loris specimens featured in the exhibition.

Monkeys: Our Primate Family is the first exhibition of its kind, capturing primates acting as they would in the wild. Taxidermy specimens created for the exhibition reveal behaviours rarely seen by humans and demonstrate how primate species have adapted to survive.

Atmospheric lighting and naturalistic displays create a tropical forest experience to explore while encountering some of the rarest and most endangered primate species on earth. Visitors to the exhibition will also learn about ongoing conservation efforts to protect these extraordinary animals and their fragile habitats.

The exhibition first opened at the National Museum of Scotland in 2016 before embarking on an international tour. It returns to Edinburgh for a final time having been seen by over 500,000 visitors in six countries around the world.

Professor Andrew Kitchener, Principal Curator of Vertebrate Biology at National Museums Scotland, said: ““We are all primates, but how much do we really know about our extended family?

“Following a successful global tour, this is the last chance to experience this remarkable exhibition. Monkeys: Our Primate Family provides a unique opportunity to see these fascinating animals up close. Visitors will also learn about the threats facing primates and what we can do to protect them.”

Visitors to Monkeys will discover how primates have evolved and adapted, their unique methods of locomotion, and the tools they have developed to obtain food.

A gibbon swings through the trees while a chimpanzee fishes for termites. The exhibition also reveals the fascinating ways they communicate and their complex social systems. A tarsier is shown using ultrasonic communication and a vervet monkey reveals how its different calls warn about each different predator.

The final section of the exhibition looks at conservation as well as some of the threats humans pose to primates today, including the climate emergency, conflict, and the bush meat trade. It includes endangered primates, such as the Sumatran orangutan and the black-and-white ruffed lemur.

Thanks to the support of players of People’s Postcode Lottery, children can visit Monkeys: Our Primate Family (28 Jun – 30 Nov 2025) for free.

For the first time, the National Museum of Scotland is also offering those on Universal Credit and other named UK benefits discounted exhibition entry.

The exhibition is supported by a programme of public events.

Widest-ranging exhibition of Italian Renaissance drawings in 50 years to be staged in Edinburgh this autumn

Drawings by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo and Titian will be among 45 Italian Renaissance drawings going on display in Scotland for the first time this October, as part of an exhibition featuring more than 80 drawings by 57 artists – the most wide-ranging show of its kind in Scotland in over half a century.

Following a successful run in London, Drawing the Italian Renaissance will open at The King’s Gallery at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh on 17 October 2025. The exhibition will explore how drawing was key to artistic practice in all fields during the Italian Renaissance and will reveal how dynamic the art of drawing became during this revolutionary artistic period.

Lauren Porter, curator of Drawing the Italian Renaissance in Edinburgh, said: ‘The Royal Collection holds one of the finest collections of Italian Renaissance drawings, many of which were acquired during the reign of Charles II.

“The drawings cannot be on permanent display because of their sensitivity to light, so this exhibition offers a rare and exciting opportunity for visitors to see a wide variety of works from this great collection, many of which are on display in Scotland for the first time.

“Drawings were fundamental to the art of the Renaissance, allowing artists to conceive and explore ideas, refine their designs and to experiment. Being able to view these drawings so closely will give visitors a unique insight into the minds of these great Italian Renaissance artists.”

The exhibition will highlight the continued relevance of drawing today as an essential part of many artists’ practice. Two Artists in Residence, both alumni of Edinburgh College of Art and appointed in collaboration with the School, will be drawing in the Gallery on selected days throughout the exhibition’s run.

Visitors to the exhibition will also be encouraged to take inspiration from the works on display and try their hand at drawing with pencils and paper available in the Gallery.

Most drawings from the Italian Renaissance were created as preparation for projects in a variety of media, from paintings and prints to architecture, sculpture, metalwork, tapestry and costume.

They were often discarded after they had served their purpose, and only a small proportion have survived to the present day. As the drawings in the Royal Collection have been carefully preserved for hundreds of years, they can be enjoyed almost as vividly as when they were created.

The oldest drawing in the exhibition, in which an unknown artist depicts a young man sitting and drawing with a sleeping dog by his side, is around 550 years old and will be exhibited in Scotland for the first time.

Also on display for the first time in Scotland will be an elaborately worked drawing in red and black chalk on red prepared paper of the curly-haired head of a young man by Leonardo da Vinci, and Federico Barocci’s drawing of The head of the Virgin in delicately blended colourful chalks.

The idealised features of these two head studies contrast with the distorted and tormented facial expression of the grotesque head drawn by Michelangelo which will be displayed nearby.

Many drawings in the exhibition are religious in their subject matter, including Raphael’s Christ’s Charge to Peter, which is one of his designs for a tapestry to be hung in the Sistine Chapel, and Michelangelo’s The Virgin and Child with the young Baptist, which may have been created as a preparatory study for a sculpture or perhaps as a private act of devotion.

On display for the first time in Scotland, following extensive conservation work before the London exhibition, will be a cartoon for an altarpiece of the Virgin and Child by the late-Renaissance artist Bernardino Campi.

Cartoons, which were large sheets of paper used to transfer a final design onto a painting’s surface, were often executed on poor-quality paper and were never intended to be kept – let alone displayed.

It took almost 120 hours of conservation work by Royal Collection Trust conservators to prepare the work to be exhibited, which involved painstakingly removing the drawing from its deteriorating canvas backing and supporting sections where the paper had become as delicate as lace.

The exhibition includes many preparatory drawings for the applied arts. These drawings would be used by specialist craftsmen to translate the artist’s design into another medium. Included in the exhibition is a colourful design for a painted wooden ceiling incorporating the scene of David slaying Goliath by an unidentified Roman artist, and an extravagant and asymmetrical 1.36-metre-high design for a candelabrum which features a riot of different motifs – presumably acting almost as a menu, from which a patron could select the elements he liked the most.

A section of the exhibition will examine how Italian Renaissance artists observed and explored the natural world, from a study of a branch of a blackberry bush by Leonardo da Vinci, capturing the vigorous nature of the bramble’s growth, to a drawing attributed to the Venetian artist Titian of an ostrich, believed to have been drawn from life, perhaps when the animal arrived after being imported into the port city as an exotic curiosity.

As well as works by the most famous names of the Italian Renaissance, the exhibition will give visitors an insight into the work of lesser-known artists who produced some of the finest drawings of the period.

Many of these works have never been shown in Scotland before and include a striking charcoal portrait of the head of a youth, which has been attributed to Pietro Faccini, and the imposing pen and ink drawing of a seated St Jerome by Bartolomeo Passarotti.

Following a successful launch in 2024, The King’s Gallery will continue to offer £1 tickets to this exhibition for visitors receiving Universal Credit and other named benefits.

Further concessionary rates are available, including discounted tickets for young people, half-price entry for children (with under-fives free), and the option to convert standard tickets bought directly from Royal Collection Trust into a 1-Year Pass for unlimited re-entry for 12 months.

Armed Forces Day celebration in city centre on Saturday

Serving personnel, veterans and their supporters will parade through St Andrew Square in Edinburgh this weekend at a special event being held to celebrate Armed Forces Day.

The celebrations will start from 10am on Saturday, June 28, as the annual procession of around 400 members of the Armed Forces community will assemble in Charlotte Square, led by 10 vintage vehicles from the Scottish Military Vehicle Group.

From there they will follow the route along George Street, reassembling in St Andrew Square where they will be welcomed by Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, Robert Aldridge, followed a day of fun and entertainment until 3pm.

Highlights will include The Highland and Lowland Bands of the Royal Regiment of Scotland; The Royal British Legion Scotland and Association’s Standards and Veterans; live performances from Stuart McLean, Richard Kerr, Niamh Corkey, Fraser Mclean and Maria Townsley. The event will be hosted by BFBS broadcaster Mark McKenzie.

There will also be static displays of vintage military vehicles throughout the day and members of the public will be able to see some of the kit and equipment used by our Armed Forces over the years.

Dr Claire Armstrong, OBE, Chief Executive of Legion Scotland, said: “Armed Forces Day on Saturday follows on from Monday’s event (June 23) when the Armed Forces Day flag was presented to the Depute Lord Provost Lezley Marion Cameron, and raised above Edinburgh’s City Chambers with pride to honour military personnel past, present and future.

“We hope you can come along and help us celebrate the Armed Forces community in our capital city in style, whilst also learning about the valuable work of charities Legion Scotland, Poppyscotland and many more.”

Meanwhile, Poppyscotland, in partnership with Legion Scotland, are calling for volunteers to help man collection stations over the course of the weekend.

Volunteers are required to help at both Waverley and Haymarket train stations during timed slots on either June 28 or June 29.

If you would be interested in volunteering on either Saturday, June 28 or Sunday, June 29, please sign up today:

for Haymarket Station at www.poppyscotland.org.uk/AFDHaymarket

for Waverley Station at www.poppyscotland.org.uk/AFDWaverley

Dougie MacLean to Lead Edinburgh International Festival’s Opening Weekend Big Singalong

2025 FESTIVAL PROGRAMME RUNS FROM 1–24 AUGUST 2025

eif.co.uk / @edintfest

For the opening weekend of the International Festival, Scottish national treasure Dougie MacLean headlines free event The Big Singalong with iconic song Caledonia, joined by a range of community choirs led by choir director Stephen Deazle
Famed Scottish folk musician Donald Shaw leads The Ceilidh Sessions for an afternoon of music and dance inspired by the Gaelic ceilidh tradition
Festival Director Nicola Benedetti and jazz pianist Joe Webb lead improvisational music sessions alongside up-and-coming young musicians in The Hub

A lineup of world-class musicians at the forefront of their fields are today added to the Edinburgh International Festival programme to lead performances this August that celebrate the joy of music-making.

Highlights include Scottish music icon Dougie MacLean headlining free event The Big Singalong, celebrated folk musician Donald Shaw leading The Ceilidh Sessions with traditional Gaelic music and dance, and Festival Director Nicola Benedetti and jazz pianist Joe Webb leading improvisational sessions featuring emerging young talent.

In a free, outdoor event to mark the start of festival season in Edinburgh, one of Scotland’s most beloved musical figures, Dougie MacLean will lead The Big Singalongon Sunday 3 August.

Set against the stunning backdrop of Princes Street Gardens, the Perthshire-born singer-songwriter and composer behind the iconic anthem Caledonia will start a mass singalong that welcomes all voices, curated by Edinburgh’s Love Music Community Choir Artistic Director, Stephen Deazley.

Choirs include The Phoenix Choir, the Maryhill Integration Project Joyous Choir and the Westerton Male Voice Choir. Tickets are free and available at midday at www.eif.co.uk .

The joy of music making continues the next day with The Ceilidh Sessions, also in Princes Street Gardens. Scottish tradition meets Baroque flair, as Norwegian folk ensemble Barokksolistene join forces with Donald Shaw, known as founding member of Scottish folk legends Capercaillie, accompanied by his ceilidh band.

Alongside beloved ceilidh tunes like the “The Gay Gordons” and “Strip the Willow”, Barokksolistene add Baroque music, sea shanties and alehouse tunes to the mix for a truly international afternoon of music and dance. Both events are presented with support from EventScotland, part of VisitScotland.

Jazz takes the spotlight at The Hub on the Royal Mile, with acclaimed pianist and composer Joe Webb leading the Up Late Jazz Jam on Friday August 15th.

Originally from Wales and now one of the most exciting forces on the UK jazz scene, Webb brings his distinctive energy and improvisational flair, honed through his work with Kansas Smitty’s and as part of the Wynton Marsalis Quartet, with whom he made his Festival debut last year.

The late-night session sees seasoned professionals and fresh talent share the stage for an electrifying night of improvisation and raw creativity in action.

Renowned violinist and Festival Director Nicola Benedetti leads a cohort of the world’s most promising young musicians in Rising Stars: Classical Jam. This spontaneous, informal concert brings emerging and professional musicians together for a dynamic, performance where audiences choose the repertoire. This event is inspired by the behind-the-scenes energy of rehearsal rooms and post-concert jams that classical musicians usually enjoy off stage.

For the third year running, the International Festival’s Rising Stars programme unites up-and-coming young musicians with mentors for professional development and performance opportunities.

This year’s performances include the first cohort of vocalists in Rising Stars of Voice on 19 August, Rising Stars of Woodwind with clarinettist Mark Simpson on 8 August, and a return from the original 2023 cohort of Rising Stars in Benedetti and Sitkovetsky’s Tribute to Menuhin with NFM Leopoldinum on 11 August.

To read more about the Rising Stars selected to perform at this year’s International Festival, see here.

Nicola Benedetti, Festival Director, Edinburgh International Festival said:“At the heart of our Festival is a commitment to connection – providing a closer communion between artist and audience.

“From our mass ceilidh dancing, to singing Dougie MacLean’s iconic anthem ‘Caledonia’ at the top of our lungs in the Princes Street Gardens, to spontaneous jam sessions for jazz lovers and classical enthusiasts alike, these events invite everyone to take part in the magic of live performance.

“We are all about celebrating artistry in its most human, communal form, and I can’t wait for everyone to experience it with us in August.”

Stephen Deazley, Artistic Director of The Big Singalong, said: “Caledonia has become more than just a song—it’s a reflection of Scotland’s spirit. Nearly 50 years on, it still speaks powerfully about what it means to find home, especially for those who are new to Scotland or have journeyed far.

“Singing it together in Princes Street Gardens this August for the International Festival opening weekend isn’t just about music; it’s about connection. It’s a way for people to feel they belong, to share in something bigger.

“When thousands of voices come together, you feel that sense of welcome, of joy, of community—and that’s what Scotland is all about.”

Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland, said: “The Edinburgh International Festival is one of Scotland’s signature events, and we’re proud to support The Big Singalong and The Ceilidh Sessions as part of the festival’s opening weekend.

“These events not only celebrate our rich musical heritage—with icons like Dougie MacLean and Donald Shaw—but also play a vital role in growing the value of Scotland’s visitor economy.”

“Free, inclusive events like these are essential in ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to experience the joy and connection that live events bring.

“Together with our enviable portfolio of cultural and sporting events, the Edinburgh International Festival reinforces Scotland’s global reputation as a world-class destination for tourism and events.”

Tickets to all performances at the 2025 Edinburgh International Festival are available at www.eif.co.uk.