Boogie and Arlene to lead St James Quarter Christmas light switch-on

Boogie and Arlene are leading the Christmas light switch-on at Westfield St James Quarter on Saturday 7 November, from 5pm. The Forth One presenters are the ones pushing the button to bring the lights on, and they're not doing it alone: Santa and Mary Claus will be there, along with the cast of A Christmas Carol from The Royal Lyceum Theatre. World champion beatboxer Hobbit, dancers, and live musicians will all be part of the festive parade that comes before the main event.

The evening starts with that parade winding its way through the Quarter, which then leads to the stage party in Register Square. That's where the switch-on happens, with a traditional Santa Claus adding a bit of Christmas nostalgia to the mix. It's the moment the Quarter turns into a winter wonderland, and it kicks off a whole programme of festive entertainment and seasonal experiences that runs through November and December.

For a bit of context, the Quarter opened in 2021 and changed its name on 10 September 2026 from St James Quarter to Westfield St James Quarter. It's the third Westfield destination in the UK and the first in Scotland, alongside Westfield London and Westfield Stratford City, and it brings together shopping, restaurants, entertainment, and hotels like W Edinburgh. The switch-on is the official start of the season there, so it's the first of the festive things they'll be running over the next couple of months.

There's also a charitable side to the night: the event supports Cash for Kids Mission Christmas, an appeal for children who might otherwise wake up without a present, and the Quarter is acting as a gift donation point. The whole thing is free to attend, and it all gets going from 5pm in Register Square.