Edinburgh Christmas Light Night

Submitted by edg on Thu, 5 Sep '19 9.37am
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Edinburgh Light Night - Royal Mile
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The switch is flicked on Edinburgh's festive lights on the second last Sunday of November, with the first in a series of Christmas light nights across Edinburgh.

It usually also marks the start (or approach) of the official Edinburgh's Christmas festivities, a package of yuletide events.

In Edinburgh's Christmas 2023, the new festival producer UniqueAssembly, is holding a community orientated Opening Concert to get the official festivities started, on the afternoon of the second last Saturday in November, instead of an extravagant Light Night of previous years.

Norwegian spruce

Light Night also refers to the turning on of the lights of the 60ft Christmas Tree on The Mound, a traditional gift given each year by the people of Hordaland, Norway (now part of Vestland), to the City of Edinburgh Council. The Christmas Tree marks the help given by the Scots to Norway during WWII.

A special ceremony is attended by the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and Deputy Convener of Vestland County Council.

Light Night Pyrotechnics

Under former Edinburgh's Christmas organiser, Underbelly, Light Night 2019 was a major event on the Royal Mile.

A special guest was chosen to flick the big switch to turn on the Christmas Lights that adorn the streets of historic Edinburgh. 

In 2018, The Voice competitor Saskia Eng, who attended the Edinburgh School of Music from age 11, was chosen to turn on the Christmas lights.

In 2019, the evening's entertainment included live music sung by choirs from across Edinburgh such as Little Voices Big Stars (the Edinburgh singing group for children between 4 and 16 year olds), Rock Choir Live, and Royal Lyceum Theatre Edinburgh’s Community Choir.

Two giant screens at key points on the Royal Mile allowed the crowd of around 20,000 people to enjoy the free entertainment, which included a pyrotechnic display and a "flying visit" from Santa appearing on his sleigh on a zipline.

Light Night also comes as many other Edinburgh's Christmas attractions are opening. There is a Christmas Market, mulled wine and hot toddies on The Mound, and various fairground rides such as a Big Wheel and 60 metre-high Star Flyer in East Princes Street Gardens. 

For younger kids, there's two carousels, Christmas tree maze, and other Santa Land activities.

There are a number of smaller Christmas Light Nights in other Edinburgh areas in the days following the main city centre Light Night event.

Edinburgh's Christmas Light Night is a free, public event.