Princes Street Comes Alive!

Princes Street has been transformed to embrace festive activities throughout the Christmas season.  The majority of events and activities will run until the 24th December, although The Scottish Café Christmas Hut and unique La Favorita pop-up restaurant will remain open until the 29th December.  Special events will include: live reindeer visits; the return of the popular Santa Express on Princes Street; performance space for buskers and choirs; a Santa Zumbathon flash mob; eating and drink al fresco; as well as Scottish Christmas and Ethical Christmas fairs, stalls and live music.

Unless specified, all events detailed below are free!

One World Marquee at the West End
Come and enjoy a range of multi-cultural World Musicians and Performers to add colour and enjoyment to your Christmas activities on Princes Street, situated at the West End, in front of St Johns Church. See below for details:

Thurs 8 Dec
12 - 5pm - One World Fair Trade Stall
6 - 7pm - St John's Church Choir

Fri 9 Dec
12 - 5pm - One World Fair Trade Stall
6 - 7pm - Dojo Taiko Performance Team

Sat 10 Dec
1 - 2pm - Indian dance - Classical and Bollywood dance performed by Dance Ihayami.
2 - 5pm - Waa Sylla African percussion
5.15 - 6.15pm Dojo Taiko Performance Team

Sun 11 Dec
1 - 3pm - Absolutely Legless Irish dance group
2 - 4pm - Michael Angelo, Fun stilt walker and juggler
3 - 5pm - Ayawara African Percussion Band
5.15 - 6pm Dojo Taiko Performance Team

Thurs 15 Dec 
12 - 5pm - One World Fair Trade Stall
6 - 7pm - St John's Church Choir

Fri 16 Dec
12 - 5pm - One World Fair Trade Stall

Sat 17 Dec
11 - 1pm - One World Fair Trade Stall
1 - 2pm - Dojo Taiko Performance Team
3 - 5pm - Waa Sylla African percussion

Sun 18 Dec
11.45 - 12.45pm - Cauldstane Slap - A Scottish & Irish traditional band
1 - 2pm - Indian dance - Classical and Bollywood dance performed by Dance Ihayami
2 - 4pm - Michael Angelo, Fun stilt walker and juggler
2 - 5pm - Waa Sylla African percussion 

Horse and Carriage Rides along Princes Street (Adult £5, Child £2.50, Carriage £14)
Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December between 1300 & 1900 (approximately)
Thursday 22, Friday 23 & Saturday 24 December between 1300 &1900

Reindeer Pen on Princes Street – 15 - 18 December, plus 21 – 23 December

Hog the Street Competition - Saturday 3 & Sunday 4 December from 1300 - 1700

Hog the Street is the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay new bands competition taking place on Princes Street this weekend. Scotland’s best new acts will busk it out for the chance to kick off the world’s greatest New Year party. The winning band will open the Concert in the Gardens - the music and fireworks spectacular – and join the bill alongside headliners Primal Scream and special guests Bombay Bicycle Club and Sons & Daughters.

Ten lucky bands have been chosen from over 80 entries to compete in a live busking final on Princes Street this weekend, hosted by DJ, broadcaster and champion of new music, Jim Gellatly. Each band will perform on stage at the West End for 20-25 minutes and must include their favourite Christmas cover. The line-up includes an eclectic mix of indie, hip-hop, folk and soul to entertain the weekend crowds on Princes Street. The act which raises the most money for Shelter Scotland during their busking set will win the coveted opening slot for Concert in the Garden on 31 December. All money raised at the event goes to Shelter Scotland

Scottish Snowsports Festival - Saturday 17 December & Sunday 18 December
Britain’s best freestyle skiers and snowboarder compete for the largest snowsports cash prize in Scotland on real snow as part of a purpose built slope on Princes St.  Snowsports specific MCs, DJs and interviews with athletes /snowsports prominent figures. Mobile ski and snowboard slope for all ages and abilities to try skiing and snowboarding for FREE (with instruction)

Edinburgh Rugby - 23 December
Edinburgh Rugby players will be on Princes Street on the 23rd as they prepare for their Boxing Day clash with Glasgow Warriors at Murrayfield. The team, which is packed with Scotland stars looking forward to the 6 Nations Championship in the new year, will be in the city centre from 2pm-5pm helping out with some great interactive games and handing out prizes to the top performers!  The team looks forward to seeing you there. In the meantime, to find out how you could get a FREE ticket to Edinburgh v Glasgow on 26 December, visit www.scottishrugby.org/france for details.