Day 41

Christmas in Leith

Christmas in Leith began in 2007, organised by Leith Festival to bring the community together as a way to celebrate the coming festive season, and cheer people up in the dark winter days.  

Sandy Campbell, Chair of the board at that time, asked board member Rita Crombie to take this on. Rita quickly asked for assistance from another board member Liz Polson. The two of them worked together to make the event happen, and have done so ever since - this year would have been the 14th year of Christmas in Leith.  

From 5 schools taking part in that first event, the numbers gradually grew, and 8 schools now regularly perform throughout the week, including Prospect Bank Special School, and Bun Sgoil na Pairce. 

As the years went on, Liz stepped down from the board, but continued to provide support to Leith Festival, not least by continuing to play a vital role in helping to organise Christmas in Leith alongside Rita. Christmas in Leith is now embedded in the Leith Festival calendar, and Rita has continued to lead on making this event happen on behalf of the board. 

Combining the turning on of the Christmas Tree lights in the Kirkgate, with a week of carol Singing performed by children’s choirs from local primary schools. Normally around 300 children would take part over the week, all bringing their Christmas spirit. Traditionally, each child is given a Christmas hat to wear. 

This year due to the ongoing Covid pandemic we were not able to hold the usual celebrations, but we have been working with Leith for Ever, Cinetopia and Utilita to gather photos and videos of Christmasses past, as well as festive 2020 Messages. This will be collated and shown in the windows of Utilita in the lead up to Christmas Day, and will also feature as the final post before the Leith for Ever team take a break over the holidays. 

Over the years the Christmas in Leith has become a highlight of the Leith Festival calendar in the lead up to Christmas, and hopefully to the people of Leith. 

Leith Festival would like to thank Utilita, and all of those over the years who have supported Christmas in Leith, and helped to turn it into a Leith tradition.