Kicking off this year’s Santa Weekend, a much loved element of the Edinburgh’s Christmas programme, the event began with children gathering to create a special festive photograph with their lanterns.

 

A giant glowing Christmas tree formed at the Ross Bandstand comprising over xx children with leader of Edinburgh City Council, Jenny Dawe, topping off the picture as a shiny star.

 

The Lantern Parade then led through Princes Street Gardens, along with a host of entertainers and mystical Christmas characters, to greet Santa as he arrived into Edinburgh to open his gardens.

 

Lanterns were created throughout the past week by over 600 children from schools across Edinburgh. Each lantern, designed in the form of a giant bauble, has been decorated by a schoolchild with the festive colours and patterns of their choice. Additional family, friends and individuals also joined the Parade on the day, lighting the way with Royal Blind glow sticks.