First look at Edinburgh's Christmas decorations as…

First look at Edinburgh's Christmas decorations as switch on dates confirmed

The first Christmas decorations of the season have been spotted around Edinburgh as public and private organisations alike gear up for December.

The decorations are popping up all over the city, including Old Town’s famous Victoria Street, while other streets and squares have announced official switch on dates.

Cheery light strand banners have been hung from buildings across Victoria Street. The famous street is always a hotspot for photographers and instagrammers, but last week many were admiring the holiday lights as well.

The Stafford Street lamppost displays near Shandwick Place and Haymarket were among the first holiday lights spotted, and on Thursday evening, most were already lit up after dark.

Holiday lamppost decorations are aglow on Stafford Street. ((Image: Danyel VanReenen))

Other lamppost decorations were spotted in the city, and trees with white fairy lights were spotted aglow from bus windows near St Katherines Brae near Alnwick Hill.

The famous Edinburgh Christmas tree also took its place on The Mound on Friday morning.

Following the full Edinburgh Christmas plan announcement on Thursday, Lord Provost Robert Aldridge from The City of Edinburgh Council, said:

“Edinburgh is one of the best places in the world to celebrate Christmas and this programme for 2022 promises a rich and varied programme of festive activities, events and experiences that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors of all ages. We can’t wait to see everyone enjoying it."

While the paid events such as the Edinburgh Castle’s Castle of Light spectacular among others bring holiday cheer to many, the street decorations and lamppost adornments are freely available for everyone to enjoy.

No matter how tight the budget is this Christmas, anyone can stroll through the streets of Edinburgh and enjoy the displays. Likewise, anyone will be able to attend these community switch on dates.

Decorations will be going up throughout the coming weeks, but these streets and neighbourhoods have announced specific times and dates when Christmas lights will be switched on:

South Queensferry - 24 November at 5.30pm

Davidson's Mains - 26 November at 6pm

Stenhouse - 29 November at 6pm

Roseburn - 1 December at 4.30pm

Corstorphine Old Parish Church - 1 December at 6.30pm

Balerno - 1 December at 6pm

Wester Hailes Plaza - 1 December 5.30pm

Marchmont Crescent/ Warrender Park Road - 3 December at 4.30pm

Ratho Village - 4 December at 4pm

Bruntsfield - Eric Liddell Centre - 7 December at 5pm

St. Patrick's Square - 7 December at 6pm

Portobello - 8 December at 6pm