The city's annual, Yuletide festival, Edinburgh's Christmas 2025, officially gets underway with the lighting of the festive lights on the historic Christmas tree on the Mound on Tuesday 18 November, at 6.15pm.
Norwegian spruce
The large Christmas Tree on The Mound is 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 World War II.
Upon the fall of Norway in 1940, more than 7,000 exiles were based in Scotland as the Norwegian Brigade, fighting to free their country. The help and support they received from the Scots has never been forgotten.
A special ceremony is attended by the Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh and Deputy Convener of Vestland County Council.
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. Both the lighting of the tree and advent concert are free to attend.
As well as these Christmas Lights Switch On events, communities around Edinburgh hold similar Switch On events.
Light Night Pyrotechnics
In previous years, the Edinburgh's Christmas opening night has been an extravagant affair, drawing thousands to the city centre.
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.
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.
Christmas around Edinburgh
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.