What's On Edinburgh

Ceilidh Club
The Lot, Grassmarket, Tues 5, 12, 19, 26 Dec, 8pm
The time of year has come to cast off sobriety and keep away the winter blues by cavorting. Here you'll find Edinburgh's top ceilidh bands, a great sound system, and a perfectly suited space. These regular knees-ups are the Skinny's reel-fest of choice.

Early Editions of Shakespeare's Plays
National Library of Scotland, George IV Bridge, Thu 7 Dec, 1pm, www.nls.uk
Calling all enthusiasts: a chance to get up close and personal with some of the earliest surviving editions of the plays, including the first folio. The text may be 'the thing', but there's an undeniable power to old books – especially if they're really good. There's a talk too.

The Great Santa Run
Princes Street Gardens, Sun 10 Dec, 11am, www.thesantarun.org
Not to be confused with the nightmare before Christmas, this event – combining self-ridicule, getting cold, and challenging physical exercise – should actually be a bit of fun. You do have to raise sponsorship, but nobody says you have to have been to bed the night before…

Green Christmas Festival
Royal Botanical Gardens, Exhibition Hall, until 17 Dec, 10.30am - 3.30pm, free.
Based around Christmas festivities and a winter-themed botanical exhibition, Infin8, there should be something of interest for anyone here. Besides, the Botanics are a great place to go for some 'green' in the deep midwinter.

Hearts v Hibs
Tynecastle Stadium, Tue 26 Dec, 2pm, www.heartsfc.premiumtv.co.uk, www.hibernianfc.co.uk
The tradition of Boxing Day football is so strong that the powers-that-be still keep a full fixture card despite pressure from TV broadcasters. The pick of the bunch this year is right here in Edinburgh: the local derby. With both teams likely to be on form, pick yourself up a pie and a scarf, and get down there and holler.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay
Various locations, 29 Dec – 1 Jan, www.edinburghshogmanay.org
You'll have heard of this one. Still, there are loads of things to see and do. Recommended is the Night Afore International, starting at 7.45pm on the 30th, with outdoor theatre, oompah music, and stilt-walkers adding to a carnival atmosphere on George Street.