Top 10 winter festivities in Edinburgh

Edinburgh has unveiled its Christmas festivities to entice holidaymakers to the Scottish city this winter.

Among the top ten are special events including fairgrounds, pantomimes and international sports fixtures.

The events are being presented as a full brochure for the first time this year, offering a 60 page guide to a season of events, which start on November 23rd with Light Night when the Christmas lights will be turned on, the 30-metre high ferris wheel will start rolling, and two Christmas markets start trading.

Top ten things to do in Edinburgh this Christmas

1 - Take part in the Great Scottish Santa Run, a 1.5-kilometre charity run around West Princes Street Gardens. December 10th at starting at 11:00.

2 - See the Scotland versus Australia international rugby union match at Murrayfield on November 25th and the Hearts v Hibernian derby at Tynecastle on boxing day.

3 - Enjoy the festive sounds at Christmas concerts including a children’s classic concert on December 3rd and a Christmas concert on December 22nd, both at the Usher Hall.

4 - Ride the Edinburgh Wheel, the Christmas and Flying Carousel and the Bungydome, open from November 23rd to January 7th.

5 - Visit Santa at in West Princes Street Gardens or in the Gyle, or at Santa’s Grotto at Jenners.

6 - Head to one of the six story telling events around Edinburgh, including the Festival of Light on December 2nd at the Scottish Storytelling Centre and Christmas Tales in the Grotto on December 8th and 15th at the Royal Botanic Gardens.

7 - Shop at the one of the seven markets across the city, including the French market from November 23 to 26th on Castle Street, the traditional German market from November 23rd to December 24th on the Mound Precinct and a Christmas market from November 23rd to January 7th on Princes Street Gardens.

8 - See Christmas shows including Pinocchio, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Cinderella, The Snowman, Green Whale and Puss in Boots.

9 - Find a Christmas gift at craft events including Paper Parade on November 24th at Lauriston Castle, the Edinburgh School of Food and Wine on November 26th and the Ethical Christmas Craft Workshop on December 7th at Bristo Place.

10 - See the reindeers at the Santa Garden on December 9th, which will be opened by Santa himself.

For more information see www.edinburghschristmas.com

For information on accommodation see www.visitscotland.com/citybreaks XXX