A FESTIVE glow is set to cover Musselburgh, Wallyford and Whitecraig as the communities prepare to switch on their Christmas lights.

Musselburgh’s lights will be officially switched on this Sunday, while in Wallyford the switch-on takes place this evening (Friday) – and there are fun events in Whitecraig too.

In Musselburgh, a torchlight parade will gather at the Town Hall on High Street at 5.40pm, moving off at 6pm, led by the Penicuik & Musselburgh Boys’ Brigade Pipe Band, en route to the Brunton Hall.

Support will be given by the local sea and air cadets.

Loretto School Pipe Band will also take part in the parade, which will make its way along High Street and onto Bridge Street.

A community carol service, involving the Clark Community Choir and local clergy, will be held outside the Brunton Hall.

There will be a countdown to the switching-on of the Christmas lights by the cast of Cinderella. The pantomime, from Hopscotch Theatre Company and Brunton Theatre Trust, is on at Loretto School Theatre in Musselburgh from December 20 to 30.

Irene Tait, chairperson of Musselburgh & Inveresk Community Council, which organises the annual switch-on event and hands out gifts of selection boxes to children, encouraged people to head along.

“It’s usually a good evening which is much enjoyed by all. Everyone is welcome to come along and enjoy a happy occasion,” she said.

Wallyford switch-on

Meanwhile, residents in Wallyford will gather this evening to watch the 2024 gala king Jack Young and gala queen Ronnie Mcghie switch on the Christmas lights.

A parade will leave Wallyford Miners’ Club at 6.30pm bound for the Wallyford Mining Memorial Stone, led by Preston Lodge High School Pipe Band. Readings will be given at the memorial stone by Pastor Andrew Agnew of Wallyford Livingroom Church and the Rev Mike Watson, of St Clement’s & St Ninian’s Parish Church in Wallyford.

Former Wallyford community councillor Elaine Di Troia will lay a wreath before Jack and Ronnie press the button to switch on the lights at the Christmas tree.

After the ceremony, Santa will meet children at the miners’ club and hand out gifts on behalf of Wallyford Community Council.

Justin Hynd and Ann Patton, co-chairs of Wallyford Community Council, said: “The festive period is a very special time and the local community looks forward to coming together to celebrate the season and enjoy seeing the village decked out in Christmas lights. Hopefully the weather is kind and we get as many local people as possible coming along to enjoy the festivities.

“It is important that we as a community council do all we can to ensure that the village is able to participate and celebrate Christmas, and the annual parade certainly plays an important part in helping get us all in the festive mood.”

Wallyford Children’s Gala has also organised a Christmas fayre at Wallyford Miners’ Club on Saturday, noon-3pm. Attractions include stalls, a raffle and crafts.

Whitecraig lights

Residents in Whitecraig are also preparing for seasonal festivities which will include Christmas lights on lampposts, organised by the village’s gala team.

Becka Melrose, of the gala team, said: “We did a superhero night this month to raise funds for the lamppost lights and 15 people have sponsored each light which will be advertised on the main road in Whitecraig.

“All together, we have raised £2,210 this year, which means we have now purchased our own lights instead of hiring each year. That will be a £2,000 saving for future years – just installation and removal will be the ongoing cost.

“This is an amazing achievement for the village.”

She added that it was hoped to set up a separate non-profit organisation, Whitecraig Christmas Lights, in the future.

“It would be great to have more folk on board to help fundraise for this each year and hopefully make it into an annual event,” said Becka.

The gala team has also organised a children’s Christmas party to boost funds for 2024 on December 17 at Whitecraig Village Hub. Children in nursery-P3 can enjoy festive fun from 4.30pm to 6pm and youngsters in P4-P7 will attend their party 6.30-8pm. Santa will visit with gifts.

There will be a disco, games, toy tombola, glitter tattoos, snacks and juice. Reindeer dust and gifts, hot chocolate cones and home baking will be on sale.

The parties cost £10 per child and those in the nursery must be accompanied by an adult. No children under three can attend the parties for health and safety reasons but can be in the lounge area.

Families can book via the gala team’s Facebook page or by calling Becka on 07551 652304.

Donations of selection boxes, candy canes, Christmas sweets and chocolate coins, hot chocolate cones, home baking, reindeer food (oats and glitter mix) and toys would be welcome.

Whitecraig Village Hub will host a Christmas coffee morning and raffle prize draw on December 19 from 9.30am to 11.30am. The raffle will be drawn at 10.30am.

A festive community choir will sing carols at the Christmas tree on the grass area next to Whitecraig Road on December 21 at 5pm. All are welcome to join the choir, which will feature local schoolchildren, families and members of the local community.

Rehearsals at the school will continue weekly each Monday from 3.30pm to 4.10pm until the event.