Edinburgh Christmas festivals cancelled due to coronavirus outbreak

Edinburgh's Christmas festivals have been cancelled due to concerns about the spread of coronavirus.

The city council and Underbelly, the event producers, said the decision followed the latest guidance from public health officials.

The public events will be replaced with an "innovative digital 2020 programme", said Edinburgh City Council.

Councillor Adam McVey, Council Leader at City of Edinburgh Council, said it was the local authority's "utmost responsibility" to keep residents safe.

“Christmas is a special time in our city and hugely exciting for individuals and families who take advantage of the City’s winter offer," said Cllr McVey.

"Whilst we understand the absence of popular events will bring some disappointment, we want to be clear that Edinburgh’s Christmas isn’t cancelled and our businesses right across the City will be offering their usual festive cheer for us to take advantage of.

"We look forward to announcing details of an innovative digital 2020 programme soon to help in these celebrations.”

It comes after London's Hyde Park Winter Wonderland 2020 event was also cancelled due to the Covid-19 crisis.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay street party had already been cancelled in July because of the pandemic.

Charlie Wood, director of Underbelly, producer of Edinburgh’s Christmas and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay added: “We very much wanted to bring some festive cheer and light to Edinburgh this Christmas and to support local makers and producers, at the end of what has been a challenging year for everyone.

“Public health is our absolute number one priority, and with the ongoing uncertainty concerning Covid-19 and the possibility of further restrictions, we have taken the collective and very sad decision with the Council, NHS Lothian and Scottish Government not to proceed with this year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas sites in the city centre.

"There will be no public events which might encourage gatherings of people at either Edinburgh’s Christmas or Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.

“We will share more information on the revised winter festival programme in the near future.”

Coronavirus cases are on the rise in Scotland. First Minister Nicola Sturgeon warned on Thursday that the R number could now be as high as 1.7.

Three more Covid-19 deaths were recorded in the past 24 hours in Scotland infections rose by 668.

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