Edinburgh is making big efforts to entertain shoppers in the weeks before
Christmas. It also plans to lay on what it claims to be the world's
biggest Hogmanay party to welcome in the New Year. The Christmas illuminations
will be switched on from Nov. 28, and there will be a German Christmas
Market with more than 20 traders from Frankfurt, in Princes Street Gardens,
which will also be the site of the Edinburgh Wheel (until Jan. 5) – the
UK's tallest ferris wheel.

For the 10th successive year, Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a four-day
programme to say farewell to the old year and welcome in the new (Dec.29
-Jan.1). Among the free highlights are the Torchlight Procession and Fire
Festival, the Night Afore Fiesta (Dec.30, with massed pipes and drums
and the world's largest ceilidh, a Celtic-style party), the Hogmanay
Triathlon, and Huskies at Holyrood.

The vast Royal Bank Street Party (Dec.31) is free, but entry is by pass
only: get one by joining the First Foot Club (£15). As well as entry to
the party, this offers the holder discounts in shops and attractions,
privileged booking for ticket events and a chance to enter members-only
competitions. To join, call the First Foot Club membership hotline (0131
473 2056) or register and buy tickets on
the website.