Many of the biggest names in world music have been lined up to play Scotland's capital in 2009 for a special season of concerts at The Edinburgh Picture House, in what is a considerable coup for Edinburgh's newest venue.

Villainous, lascivious, devilish all describe Marti Pellow's interpretation of Darryl Van Horne in the Witches of Eastwick which started runs at the Playhouse over the festive season.

Dundee Rep Theatre's ‘Sunshine of Leith' would win over the hearts of most theatre-goers in a story about the lives and loves of two soldiers returning to home territory after being in Afghanistan and the affect that has on family and friends.

If there's one time of year where theatres really go to town with their productions it's christmas. This year's crop of christmas shows at Edinburgh's main theatres spans the traditional panto - Aladdin at the King's Theatre - to a more adult-orientated theatrical version of the Witches of Eastwick at The Playhouse Theatre.

Don't be left speechless when the bells chime and everyone crosses arms to sing in the new year. These are the words to Auld Lang Syne, with glossary for those less obvious Scots words at the end.

Gigs, sessions, worskshops, ceilidhs, talks, stramashes, and a good crack over the course of 3-days in this annual stringed instrumental festival.

Scotland's national day of celebration sees a weekend long government-sponsored fest in Princes Street Gardens West, dubbed the St. Andrew's DO.

Mary Poppins, the musical, is a wonderful feel-good show - brimmed full of entertainment. A spectacle, this award winning production, sparkles from beginning to end with marvellous acting, singing and dancing. An enthralling production, with all the familiar songs, it succeeds in creating a 'fantastical' magical atmosphere where even the statutes come alive.

Performances of Vaughan William's Fantasia on Christmas Carols and Vivaldi's Gloria.

Dance club favourites Groove Armada will be bringing their big beats to Edinburgh for the Hogmanay celebrations on the last night of the

Rambert Dance Company have a reputation for staging exciting, innovative work and last night's performance was no exception.

There was a Scandanavian feel to tonight's concert by the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, with both the Guest Conductor - Eivind Aadland - and the Soloist - Truis Mork - being Norwegian. A traditional chamber concert, the programme began with a Hadyn Symphony.

Scottish singer-songwriter Paolo Nutini will be appearing at Edinburgh's Hogmanay Concert in the Gardens on 31st December.

A quartet of young Israeli musicians making their Edinburgh International Festival debut today were forced to stop playing on seve

The final allocation of tickets for the Bank of Scotland Fireworks Concert go on sale tomorrow at 10.00am. Tickets will be available only from the counter of the Hub.

This year's theme of Artists without Borders is reflected across the programme which features an international line-up of artists

Fingers crossed the weather man will provide a sunny day to accompany the Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival's

The free Mardi Gras launches Edinburgh's Festival season with its customary brio. The multiple stages and marching bands bring a splash of colour and the sounds of jazz to the streets.

Over 1,000 performers from America, Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Europe and the United Kingdom will appear at this year's 59th Edinburgh Tattoo (1-23 August). The programme announced yesterday includes all the traditional ingredients of massed pipes & drums, massed bands, overseas contingents, and the Lone Piper on the floodlit Esplanade of Edinburgh Castle at the end.

As the clock ticks down to the Edinburgh Fringe, EG asks Fringe director Jon Morgan what we can expect this year. Morgan says, in spite of the credit crunch, and fears over a "breakaway" Comedy Festival, the Fringe appears to be appear in good health with around 2,000 shows coming to the city in August.