What's on over the festive period
Christmas events in Edinburgh City Centre
As well as the Winter Wonderland and German market in Princes Street Gardens, there is a host of events happening in the city centre over Christmas and New Year.
Grassmarket Christmas tree lights:
To celebrate the switching on of the Christmas lights on Thursday 3 December at 6pm, many shops will stay open late to offer free mince pies and mulled wine.
Dress up in Christmas fancy dress and abseil down the Black Chimney of the South Quarry of Arthur’s Seat for the Jingle Jump, Saturday 5 December, 9am. All proceeds to Chest, Heart and Stroke Scotland.
Edinburgh Castle:
Christmas past and present – 500 years of Christmas, 13 December.
Christmas carols in the Great Hall, 20 December, 1pm, 2pm and 3pm. www.edinburghcastle.gov.uk
St Giles Cathedral:
Enjoy traditional Christmas music from Europe with Rudsambee Company of Singers, 6 December, 6pm and The Wild Myrtles, on 13 December.
Lessons and carols for Advent and Christmas, Cathedral Choir, 20 December, 6pm
St Mary’s Cathedral:
Advent carols with the Cathedral Choir, Sunday 29 November, 6pm.
Traditional service of nine lessons and carols, Tuesday 22, Thursday 24 December, 7.30pm. www.cathedral.net
Greyfriars Kirk:
Sing your favourite carols and jig to reels performed by the Kirk Band at the popular Carol Ceilidh, Sunday 13 December, 6pm.
There’s also a Jubilo Christmas Concert on Saturday 19 December, 7.30pm, £9. www.greyfriarskirk.com
Queens Hall:
Dance Base is hosting a Christmas show on Sunday 6 December and Monday 7 December.
Assembly Rooms, George Street:
For shopping there is a Christmas Fair on 28, 29 November, 12, 13, 19, and 20 December – 10.30am until 5pm.
Foodies Christmas – Saturday 5, Sunday 6 December, 10am-6pm, £10. www.foodiesfestival.com
Edinburgh Printmakers, 23 Union Street:
Winter Exhibition until 23 December – a festive celebration showcasing printmaking talent. www.edinburgh-printmakers.co.uk
Saints and Sinners guided tour:
Free tour around the Old and New towns. Starts outside Ryan’s Bar at 10.30am on 12, 13, 19, 20, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31 December. www.edinburghsaintsandsinners.co.uk
Christmas on the Closes Tours:
The Real Mary King’s Close is running tours every weekend in December up to Christmas, and Monday 14 to Thursday 17 December. Sunday to Friday 3pm-5pm, and Saturday 6pm-9pm. Come along with your family and friends to find out what a traditional Christmas would have been like on the Edinburgh closes from the 16th to 18th centuries. All tickets include a generous glass of mulled wine or festive spiced apple and a mince pie. Booking is strongly recommended – call 0845 070 6244. www.realmarykingsclose.com
Scottish Storytelling Centre, 43-45 High Street:
Until 16 January, the centre is showing Angels and Archangels, a festive exhibition from Edinburgh Old Town illustrator Emily Learmont. There is also a Yule Night on 17 December, 7pm; an evening of storytelling, music and mulled wine.
Gather Round the Tree for stories from Heather Henderson (Saturday 19), Lea Taylor (Wednesday 23) or Fiona Herbert (Thursday 24) and puppeteer Ian Turbitt, 1.30pm and 3pm. Cost is £12 for a family ticket.