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Christmas is Just Around the Quarter

With an enchanting ensemble of sparkling lights, unexpected live performances and family fun across the festive season, the Quarter truly is the destination to shop, dine, play and stay longer and of course…experience the magic of Christmas.

Discover Festive Opening Hours

Shop, dine, play and stay for longer this Christmas. Over the festive period, our retail opening hours will differ from the norm on certain dates – please click here to find out more.

Check out our magical line up of events

We’re signalling the start of Christmas with our Light Switch On and Festive Parade on Saturday, 9 November. The parade will featuring a vibrant cast of performers, including energetic jazz musicians, graceful ballerinas, Edinburgh Panto stars, and a stylish Santa. Travelling aboard the St James Quarter ‘Express’ to St Andrew Square, the parade will make its way through Multrees Walk and into the Galleria from approximately 4.30pm, concluding at Register Square with a mesmerising light switch-on and Christmas sing along led by the incredible, Edinburgh Rock Choir at 5pm.

There’s fun for all the family with Elf Adventures on Sunday 24th November, where kids can enrol in Elf School, make reindeer food, enjoy festive face painting, plus, grab an ‘elfie’ with Santa’s little helpers!

On Thursday 5th December, the Quarter will be filled with the sounds of the season, as we play host to an evening of live performances including Soul & Disco with a festive twist from Groove Down Band, and smooth jazz vocals from Marianne McGregor.

Experience an afternoon of elegance, sophistication and luxury on Sunday 15th December, as A Bridgerton Christmas takes to the Quarter. Dear Readers will be welcomed into the galleria by Capella, an award-winning string quartet, before Bridgerton Ballerinas join the Quartet for a spectacular performance not to be missed. Guests will also be invited to take part in a Bridgerton themed dance class suitable for all ages.

To ‘wrap’ up the festive season, your gifts can be beautifully packed by professional gift wrappers on Saturday 21st and Sunday 22nd December in exchange for a donation to our charity partners, Edinburgh Women’s Aid and Health in Mind.

And that’s not all, throughout the festive season, there will be several unexpected choir and carol singing performances from the local community.

Snap the perfect Christmas pic… and win!

Many of the events above will take place against the sparkling backdrop of our very own magical Christmas shop window, an enchanting and immersive festive display on Level 3 that guests can step into, to embrace the magic of the season and snap the perfect Christmas picture. Anyone who shares their pictures from the window to their Instagram Grid, tagging @stjamesquarter, will be entered into a draw to win a £500 St James Quarter gift card*

*T&Cs apply: Post to your Instagram Grid and tag @stjamesquarter from 9 November – 19 December to be in with a chance of winning. A winner will be chosen at random and informed via Direct Message on Friday 20 December. Entrants must be aged 18+. Prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for a cash alternative.