Ross Bandstand events and activities

Overview

The Ross Bandstand and West Princes Street Gardens are iconic cultural and historic public spaces within Edinburgh and the Council is keen for them to be utilised and enjoyed by residents and visitors as vibrant city assets. The original bandstand was created in 1877 and has been a key part of Edinburgh’s performance and social scene ever since.

In recent decades the Bandstand and Gardens have hosted a variety of events ranging from the MTV Awards, the Festival Fireworks Display and Edinburgh Summer Sessions to Scottish Country Dancing, Diwali celebrations and the Homeless World Cup. They continue to host several low-impact events and alongside the red blaise area, the Bandstand and Gardens continue to host events and activities throughout the year as well as accommodate the city’s Winter Festival events.

The Council is seeking your views on how you and/or your organisation would like to see the Bandstand used and developed in the years ahead.

Please note that a wider consultation is also underway regarding the Waverley Valley vision. Therefore this consultation is only in relation to events and cultural activities.

Major Events

Currently, the maximum number of major events using the Ross Bandstand and surrounding gardens is set at four and includes:

• the annual Winter Festival (Christmas and Hogmanay) events which are arranged under a separate, stand-alone contract;
• an annual major event to celebrate either the opening or closing of the Edinburgh International Festival; and
• a major event (two days) in September which is advertised on the Council website each year.

In addition to the Winter Festival events the Council is now proposing three major events within West Princes Street Gardens i.e. those that use the Ross Bandstand as well as space within the wider West Gardens, namely:

• introduction of a two-day major event in May to be advertised and procured with a maximum contract length of three years;
• introduction of a Summer Festivals stage to include opportunities for all festivals, creating a low-impact animation for up to eight weeks in total (within the curtilage of the Ross Bandstand and surrounding hard standing). These low-impact activities would be programmed to also allow the current major summer festivals events to take place (if requested by one of the festivals) and which could also include up to 3 days of “major events”; and
• Continue with an annual two-day major event in September to be advertised and procured with a maximum of 3 years.

Outwith the Winter Festival, all major events will be permitted a maximum period of 15 days around an event to allow access and egress of equipment and infrastructure.  With the exception of performance days of ticketed events, the Gardens will remain fully-open with some limited and managed partial closures to allow safe working for organisers whilst maintaining public access.  

Out with these times, event organisers will be able to apply via the Public Spaces process and engage with our Cultural Venues Team to host low-impact events e.g. community events and performances including choirs, school bands, dance shows and exhibitions, religious and cultural celebrations all contained within the curtilage of the Ross Bandstand and surrounding hardstanding (map available), for a maximum of five days on site.

The new Public Spaces charging model aims to encourage community and charity events to use this space more as these will attract a reduced 50% rental or be free of charge, depending on whether there are any commercial elements to an event. 

Need a different language or format

Please email the Interpretation and Translation Service at its@edinburgh.gov.uk quoting reference 24-1423.