Plus new Kick Off Concert, return of community tickets and free events at the Ross Bandstand
Free tickets to be distributed to communities across Edinburgh and Lothians
Edinburgh’s Winter Festival producers Unique Assembly have today announced software management company Halo as new title sponsor of both Edinburgh’s Christmas & Edinburgh’s Hogmanay events.
The partnership will see Halo visible throughout Edinburgh’s festive celebrations, lighting up the capital and presenting a brand-new Kick Off Concert to start next month’s festivities, plus the return of a free programme of events at the Ross Bandstand.
The inaugural free Edinburgh’s Christmas Kick Off Concert at the Ross Bandstand on 14 Nov marks the beginning of seven weeks of Edinburgh’s Christmas with Halo celebrations and will be headlined by the bagpipe supergroup Red Hot Chilli Pipers.
The concert, supported by new headline partner Halo, kickstarts the programme of free community focussed and family-friendly events at the Ross Bandstand, spanning five weekends across the Christmas season.
The Ross Bandstand Programme will also include Edinburgh’s Christmas supporting Edinburgh Diwali to deliver Diwali celebrations on Sun 15 Nov, Light Night on Sun 22 Nov, a weekend of St Andrew’s Day celebrations on Sat 28 & Sun 29 Nov complete with free outdoor ceilidh, and the Santa Fun Run and Santa Paws in aid of charity partner When You Wish Upon a Star on Sun 6 Dec, plus much more…
Edinburgh’s Winter Festival welcomes Halo as the event’s new headline partner, allowing Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay to join the line-up of Scottish events supported by Halo, including Scottish Rugby and the Scottish FA, as Halo commit to supporting large scale sporting and cultural events across Scotland.
On joining Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay, Halo said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay is one of the great winter celebrations in the world, and we’re proud to be part of it.
“Founded in the Highlands, Scotland has always been special for Halo, and through our sporting partnerships that connection is as strong as ever. We believe in supporting the moments that bring people together, and there are few bigger than Hogmanay in Edinburgh, welcoming locals and visitors from every corner of the globe. We can’t wait to see the city light up this winter.”
Also announced today, Edinburgh’s Christmas community tickets initiative is back after a hugely successful year in 2025. Giving out tickets to community groups across Edinburgh and the Lothians, the community initiative offers free tickets to attractions including the LNER Big Wheel, Family Ice Experience with Icelandair, Around the World Star Flyer and much more.
Applications for community tickets are open now, Tue 20 Oct and close Wed 04 Nov. The Community Tickets initiative is intended to give back to the communities that host Edinburgh’s Christmas, and supports tickets for free-to-attend community-funded outreach groups and charities in and around Edinburgh.
On the community tickets initiative, Unique Assembly said: “We’re delighted to announce the return of our Community Tickets initiative, this year supported by our new headline partner Halo.
“We’re thrilled to be able to give back to the communities that host us, and to give out festive treats to those who need it most!”
Council Leader Jane Meagher said: “It’s fantastic to see another event being added to an already packed festive programme, giving people even more to look forward to as the festive season gets underway.
“With tickets being made available to local communities and charities, I’m delighted that more residents will be able to experience the magic and atmosphere of Edinburgh’s Christmas.
“It’s also a lovely way to recognise and thank the organisations that make such a positive difference to people’s lives throughout the year.
“I’d encourage community groups and charities to put forward an application and take advantage of this opportunity.”
The full Ross Bandstand programme can be found on edwinterfest.com with more events still to be announced.