It’ll be all light on the night

FOR the workers in Princes Street Gardens it has been about constructing rides and stalls – but for everyone else the only thing being built up in the Capital is excitement as the festive season draws near.

There’s only a few days left until the official start of the Capital’s Christmas celebrations, Light Night, and final preparations are being made for Thursday’s big event, when the city will transform into a winter wonderland with one thing on its mind – the countdown to Christmas.

Festivities begin at 5pm with a giant Santa leading the well-wrapped up but eager crowds up The Mound, to where they will be treated to the “Christmas Dream Machine”, which will use illuminations, aerial performances and pyrotechnics to reveal the dreams of a child on their most important day of the year.

The show will culminate in the lighting of Edinburgh’s Christmas Tree – as always, a gift from the people of Hordaland in Norway.

But it’s not all about the city centre. There are plenty of other events taking place across the Capital and the Lothians in the coming weeks. Here are some of the main community celebrations:

TOLLCROSS

Junction of High Riggs and Earl Grey Street, December 4, 5.45pm

Carol singers from Tollcross Primary School, accompanied by James Gillespie’s High School Brass Band and Edinburgh Samba Band, will gather to sing carols and hear various speeches before the Christmas Tree lights are switched on.

SOUTHSIDE

St Patrick Square, December 4, 5.40pm

Following the ceremony, participants will walk a short distance to the SouthSide Community Centre for light refreshments.

LONGNIDDRY

Shops at Longniddry, December 4, 4pm

Come down to see the tree and the switching on of the lights.

BLACKHALL

South side of Queensferry Road at junction with west side of Craigcrook Road, December 6, 6pm

A school choir and Salvation Army band will take part in the

ceremony.

WALLYFORD

Miners Memorial Stone, December 7, 6.30pm

A torchlight procession will leave Wallyford Miners Club at 6.30pm. Lead by Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band it will travel through the village up to the Christmas tree at the Miners Memorial Stone. The Gala Day King and Queen Liam Molak and Chloe McCole will switch on the lights.

MARCHMONT & SCIENNES

Warrender Park Road, December 8, 4-5pm

James Gillespie’s High School pipe and brass bands, accompanied by Sciennes Primary School choir, will assemble outside Scotmid to take part in a ceremony to turn on the Christmas tree lights.

PENICUIK

Precinct, December 8, 4pm

This year the Christmas Lights will be switched on by the Citizen of the Year, Mr Derek Wilson. During the day there will be a Christmas Fair from 10am to 2.30pm in the upper hall.

MAYFIELD

The Square, December 9, 4.30pm

Visitors to Mayfield Leisure Centre, will be welcomed at 2pm by Piper with Santa in his grotto, plus fancy dress competition, crafts, Christmas fayre, bands, a choir, a gymnastic display and raffle with great prizes. The Christmas lights will be switched on at 4.30pm.

GORGIE & DALRY

Gorgie City Farm, December 16, 6pm

The award for Best Dressed Shop Window will be presented and there will by carols sung by Dalry Primary School choir.

GILMERTON

Gilmerton Community Centre, November 24, 2-5pm

The Gilmerton Christmas fair & Christmas lights switch-on event includes arts and crafts stalls, face painting, tombolla, live music and Christmas carols,.

DAVIDSON MAINS & SILVERKNOWES

Holy Cross Church Hall, November 30, 6.30pm

Councillor Norman Work will perform the switch on and the RHS choir will sing carols.

CORSTORPHINE

Corstorphine Old Parish Church, December 4, 6.30pm

Residents will be meeting on the village green to light the Corstorphine Christmas tree and welcome a special guest on his sleigh.