With just under three weeks until Edinburgh’s Christmas events and attractions open to Edinburgh residents and visitors, the full Ross Bandstand programme has been unveiled, 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.”
A 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!’
Winter Festivals
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SNEAK PEEK ALERT!
It’s still a couple weeks away, but have a look at our special Bonfire week programme!
Some clubs are the same, but others have changed so take note!
Edinburgh’s latest arts venue has announced a brand new programme of autumn events ranging from a weekly comedy night, theatre, sketch shows, music, magic and more.
The Gilded Saloon, which opened in August, will host a vibrant programme of live events in the heart of the city’s Old Town at Bristo Square. With upcoming shows featuring Scotland’s top comedians like Stephen Buchanan, Marjolein Robertson, Mark Nelson, Stuart McPherson and more, The Gilded Saloon is the capital’s latest addition to its arts scene.
As joint venue operators (with Kelburn Arts and Paradise Palms), Gilded Balloon presents a new weekly night of mixed bill stand-up comedy with the best comedians from across the UK, as well as local rising talent, performing every Friday night at ‘The Comedy Show’.
Resident comperes will kick off the 8pm Friday show, with upcoming line-ups featuring some of Scotland’s most successful comics including: Chris Forbes, Stephen Buchanan, Marjolein Robertson, Mark Nelson, Stuart McPherson, Krystal Evans, Sam Lake, Eleanor Morton, Billy Kirkwood, Kate Hammer, Kathleen Hughes and more.
Featuring a brand new line-up each week, comedy fans can kick their weekend off by adding a meal from The Gilded Saloon’s hearty pub kitchen on to their ticket.
The Comedy Show – 8pm every Friday night
£10 show only, £18 ‘meal and show’ ticket
24th October – Chris Forbes, Scott Agnew, Julia Sutherland, Amanda Hursy,Rosie Hess
7th Nov – Stephen Buchanan, Billy Kirkwood, Amelia Bayler, Kathleen Hughes, Michael Welch
14th Nov – Marjolein Robertson, Chris Thorburn, Eva Peroni, Sophie Rose McCabe, Scott Agnew
21st Nov – Mark Nelson, Eleanor Morton, Sam Lake, Kate Hammer, Alan Ritchie
5th Dec – Chris Thorburn, Giulia Galastro, Robin Grainger, Ifrah Qureshi, Oro Rose
12th Dec – Krystal Evans, Amy Matthews, Tamsyn Kelly, Amelia Bayler, Sabina
20th Dec – Stuart McPherson, Sam Lake, Kathleen Hughes, Alana Jackson, Sean Chalmers
Plus, comedy fans can round their weekend off at ‘Hot Comedy’ every other Sunday – a bold inclusive comedy compilation show hosted by Nicholas Elliot and Eva Peroni.
Welcoming a new line-up every fortnight, the show features queer, POC, disabled, female, non-binary performers, (and even straight white men!), for a comedy show that doesn’t target or exclude audiences or performers.
Expect the next generation of comedy talent combined with top headliners from across the Scottish scene.
Hot Comedy – 7pm, every other Sunday
£4, £3 concession
2nd Nov
16th Nov
30th Nov
Line-ups announced weekly via social media – @gildedballoon and @hotcomedyedinburgh
A new monthly event at Gilded Saloon with free tickets on offer, ‘Story Platform’ will welcome Scottish writers and performers to take on a night of stand-up, sketch comedy, music and more.
A changing group of writers and performers devise and workshop the show over the course of four days, combining a unique creative energy with unpredictable live shows. Previous stars include Kim Blythe, Amanda Dwyer, Amelia Bayler, Chris Weir and many more, creating brand new hilarious sketches at each show. First come, first serve for limited free tickets.
The Gilded Saloon will also host one-off shows spanning Fringe big hitters, new comedy sketch nights, music and more. Scotland’s favourite live Dungeons & Dragons show ‘Tartan Tabletop’ returns after a sold out Fringe run, with a charity Halloween special show with all proceeds donated to the charity Mermaids and starring drag queen Ruth Canal.
Plus, Fringe’s top magicians reunite for a show with a Halloween twist as stars of the show ‘1 Hour of Insane Magic’ present a night of fast-paced fearless magic for adults where fans can find out whether the night holds a trick, a treat or both.
And for those looking to relive their youth, ‘Brick & Sip’ is an afternoon of lego building and bonus drinks rounds that ends in the ultimate inner toddler tantrum – destroying your own creation!
Twilight fans can celebrate the cult movie’s 20th anniversary with a special edition of Australian cult comedy sensation ‘Lost in Translation : Twilight’ following a hugely successful August. The film’s script is run through an online language translator a dozen times, before guest stars read the results live on stage in character for a night of live, linguistic chaos.
Plus, ‘Sixties on a Sunday’ takes over The Gilded Saloon once a month, for an afternoon of dancing and drinks with local band Fayne & The Cruisers. Music fans can relive the heady days of iconic 60s tunes with the band playing hits from The Beatles to The Beach Boys, Elves, Ray Orbison and everything in between. A Sunday afternoon party like no other.
The Gilded Saloon is open 7 days a week, supporting the creative and performing arts community across Scotland with gigs, club nights, comedy shows, spoken word, music performance and more. The venue serves up a specially selected menu of local beers, wines and spirits, with a menu of favourite pub dishes created by local chef Tomás Gormley featuring burgers, pies and locally sourced fish.
View events at The Gilded Saloon via tickets.gildedballoon.co.uk
Book a table at The Gilded Saloon via thegildedsaloon.co.uk
For further information please contact press@gildedballoon.co.uk
MONDAY 13 OCTOBER from 10am – 12.30pm
Hallowe’en pumpkin walk and hunt this Monday! All accompanied children welcome.
Free lunch at the centre after.
To book, get in touch or email natalie@drylawnc.org.uk
All accompanied children welcome.
Come on a hunt for pumpkins around the neighbourhood using a simple map.
Lunch back at the Centre.
Adults and children welcome.
All regulars also welcome. Easy. Flat.
PLEASE BOOK! natalie@drylawnc.org.uk
Free, Children and adults
PS – Reminder that Little Explorers and the Yoga classes are on holiday on Monday 13th!
Our usual Crafternoon schedule has been extended for October!
Free drop-in craft sessions, all ages welcome! 
Visitors can spin into September at the National Museum of Flight’s family fun day this weekend. Celebrate all things circular with cycle stunts, circus displays and hands-on activities at 360 Fest, returning to East Lothian this Saturday (6th September).
The one-day event offers full-circle family fun for all ages. Visitors can step into the ring with drop-in circus workshops and try out hula hooping, spinning plates and diabolo juggling. Think Circus will also pop up around the Museum’s historic Second World War airfield with spectacular circus performances.
The Ultimate Extreme Sports Show will showcase cycle and sport skills, including BMX stunts, mountain bike trials and bike parkour. Visitors who fancy having a go themselves can also choose a bike and zoom round The Dirt Factory’s bike pump track. Family crafts, demos, and STEM activities a complete the packed programme.
Steve McLean, General Manager at the National Museum of Flight, said: “We’re delighted that 360 Fest is returning to the National Museum of Flight for a second year.
“This event offers lots of hands-on activities and entertainment to encourage families to spin into action and get creative together. Combined with the chance to learn about flight and see the magnificent aircraft in our collections up close, 360 Fest offers the perfect day out to round off the summer.”
Visitors can explore the National Museum of Flight and discover iconic aircraft such as a Red Arrows Hawk and Scotland’s Concorde. Families can visit the Fantastic Flight gallery with its interactive displays offering a wonderful way to discover how aeroplanes fly.
There’s also a chance to learn about East Fortune’s wartime heritage through photographs, film, personal testimony and unique objects in the attraction’s Fortunes of War exhibition.
360 Fest takes place on Saturday 6 September. Activities run from 11:00-16:00 and the museum is open 10:00-17:00.
Pictured: Kat Borrowdale from Think Circus practices ahead of 360 Fest, a day of family fun celebrating all things circular at the National Museum of Flight.
Photo © Andy Catlin
We are so excited to welcome you to our Gala Day next Sunday 7 September, 11am–5pm! Join us for a free day of art, music, tours, makers market and children’s creative play, and scroll down to view the schedule for the day.
You can already pre-book your tickets for Jean Bareham’s Democracy walking tour, and for Lisa Williams’ Black history walking tour!
Otherwise, everything is bookable on the day at our sign-up desk.
Click here for more access information about our site.
PARENTAL EMPLOYABILITY SCOTLAND (PES)
FRIDAY 5th SEPTEMBER 1 – 4pm at NORTH EDINBURGH ARTS
PARENTAL EMPLOYABILITY SUPPORT FUND (PESF)
PESF offers support to:
Taking a holistic Key Worker approach parents are supported to upskill and/or re-train, increasing family income, lifting themselves and their families out of poverty.
The fund provides personalised support for parents who face barriers to progressing their careers, including help to gain qualifications, improving skills or work experience; money advice, and motivational support.
You can read more about the Scottish Government’s plan to eradicate child poverty by clicking on the following link: Every child, every chance: tackling child poverty delivery plan 2018-2022 – gov.scot (www.gov.scot)
Contact your local employability lead to find out more.
Additional help and support is available at www.parentclub.scot/work.
WE’RE BACK!
Please see above our new times and groups starting next week, as well as a new sign up form for this year (below).
https://forms.gle/6nXpjdS24DoZ2EEP8
(Consent form must be completed to attend clubs)
