Edinburgh Events

Christmas, or Xmas for non-believers, used to be a quiet period in Edinburgh. It's less so now, although (Edinburgh's Hogmanay aside) it's still not quite as mad as the hurlyburly of the Edinburgh Festival in August.

The Street Party is perhaps the best-known event in Edinburgh's Hogmanay Festival calendar. The New Year street party takes place the length of Princes Street, with live bands, dancing in the street, and street theatre troupes mingling with crowds.

Part of Edinburgh Hogmanay's celebrations held at The Mound precinct.

The New Year's Day Tri-athlon has different organisers this year, but it's the same idea as in past years with a serious competition involving a swim, a bike and a run, and also a charity fun run for three age levels, The Great Pyjama Race.

On the first day of every year a brave few hundred people throw themselves into the freezing cold water of the Firth of Forth at South Queensfe

As Scotland marks the 450th anniversary of its religious revolution in 1560, experience reformation day at John Knox House with live and audio drama. John Knox is played by John Sheddon.

The Queen's residence in Scotland plays host to a free, unticketed concert by young, contemporary musicians working in the crossover between folk and jazz, celtic and world music.

The New Year's Conversation returns this year as Edinburgh's Hogmanay marks the 450th anniversary year, in 2010, of the birth of the Reformation in Scotland with a varied programme of events.

St. Giles Cathedral marks the 450th anniversary of the birth of the Scottish Reformation with an inspirational hour in the tranquil and atmospheric High Kirk with the Choir of St Giles.

The massive 7.2m tall Big Man who attracted huge crowds as he walked throughout Scotland this autumn, is reawakened as part of the

A chance to see performance artists Carabosse transform the Royal Mile and the squares around St Giles Cathedral with fire and light. The installations remaining illuminated until around 8pm.