The free Mardi Gras launches Edinburgh's Festival season with its customary brio. The multiple stages and marching bands bring a splash of colour and the sounds of jazz to the streets.

The annual parade gets underway from the City Chambers at 12.30pm, moving via Victoria Street to the Grassmarket which hosts three hours of non-stop music.

The line-up includes:

• Angie King and her Trio
• Jim Petrie's Diplomats of Jazz
• The Syncopators (from Sydney
• Blue Hyenas, Swing 2008
• Lyndon Anderson Band
• Synthesis (small group)
• the 100 strong Golden Eagles Marching Band (direct from the Tattoo)
• the Criterion New Orleans Parade Band