Category Archives: Free events and happenings

Mardi Gras at the Grassmarket and Edinburgh Festival Carnival

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The Edinburgh Jazz and Blues festival kicks off the summer festivals with a weekend of free events which look great for families.

On Saturday 20th July its the Mardi Gras at the Grassmarket starting from 1pm featuring lots of bands, different stages and a party atmosphere…

On Sunday 21st July its the Edinburgh Festival Carnival (which has replaced the Cavalcade). This promises to be a great afternoon, with street performers, music, costumes and lots of entertainment. Its on Princes Street and in Princes Street Gardens from 2pm – 4pm and best of all, its free !

Over 35 acts, with a total of over 400 performers, will come together to create a vibrant international Carnival party.This year, audiences will be free to promenade around Princes Street (between South Charlotte Street and the Mound) and all over West Princes Street Gardens..

There will be a family area in the West End of Princes Street Gardens, featuring the ‘Big Red Bus’, which will have storytelling and facepainting.

Lets hope it a sunny weekend !

BBC at Edinburgh Festivals

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I’m not sure if you made it down last year – but one of my favourite new finds at the festival last year was the BBC area. They had a ping pong table, a nice cafe, big bright tents, a huge outdoor screen showing films, comedy etc and it was great for kids. They even did special CBeebies days on Sundays where you could get free magazines, play games, have a go at being a weathergirl/man and much more. And best of all it was totally free !

The programme for this year is not available yet, but as soon as it is, I’ll post about what’s on there for kids this year…

(they were also holding auditions for CBeebies presenters which would be a dream job, but sadly I was away on holiday – maybe I’ll get a chance this year ! )