Register now to join the Edinburgh People’s Procession

Location: Horse Wynd, Edinburgh EH99 1SP

Event Date: 13 September 2026

This is a free event

Register now to join the Edinburgh People’s Procession on 13 September 2026

With generous support from the Council the local charity the Edinburgh March Riding Association (EMRA) is again running a People’s Procession in addition to the Riding of the Marches event on 13 September 2026.  The People’s Procession first took place in 2025 as part of the Edinburgh 900 celebrations.   Community groups and organisations across Edinburgh are invited to register by 15 August to take part in the 2026 Edinburgh People’s Procession on Sunday 13 September 2026.   The Procession is part of the spectacular Edinburgh Riding of the Marches event which celebrates and promotes Edinburgh’s heritage, and its present and future citizens and culture.   The Ride will once again be joined by the Lord Provost Rt Hon Cllr Robert Aldridge, who, with the Edinburgh Captain and Lass, will lead the cavalcade of 280 horses and riders up the Royal Mile watched by an audience of thousands.  The People’s Procession gives community groups and organisations, including professional bodies and business groups, in Edinburgh the opportunity to be part of this unique event to promote and celebrate the work that they do.

The People’s Procession itself involves more than 600 people from groups and organisations – including bands and dance groups as well as charities, community organisations – professional and business groups across Edinburgh in a walking/wheeling procession from Holyrood (near the Scottish Parliament building and Holyrood Palace) up the Royal Mile to St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh before the Riding of the Marches cavalcade arrives later in the afternoon of 13 September 2026.  Details about the event, expected timings and a registration form are on Eventbrite with a link here:

Registration Details:

There is still time for charities, community groups and organisations across Edinburgh to get involved in this year’s Edinburgh People’s Procession. Groups wishing to take part are encouraged to register as soon as possible by emailing Teresa at edinburghpeoplesprocession@gmail.com. The Procession offers a unique opportunity to celebrate and showcase the valuable contribution that organisations make to the city while participating in one of Edinburgh’s most spectacular civic events.

Edinburgh People’s Procession 2026 Tickets, Sunday, September 13  •  2 PM – 4:30 PM | Eventbrite

In terms of practical information groups registering to take part will be sent final joining instructions early in September but will be asked to arrive at Holyrood (outside the Parliament building) to register no later than 2pm on 13 September.    The Procession will set off around 2.30pm and involves walking/wheeling up the Royal Mile ending at the West End of St Giles Cathedral by 3.15pm.   Participants are then able to join the crowd to watch the cavalcade of horses which arrives around 4pm followed by civic ceremonies at the Mercat Cross.

Other Information:

Participants in the first People’s Procession in 2025, as part of the Edinburgh 900 celebrations, were hugely positive about the experience.  One said ‘I just hope you bring it back for 2026 as it makes the Riding of the Marches a truly spectacular event and so inclusive for everyone. Wonderful to see just how multi-cultural and diverse our city is when you see all the different organisations and groups taking part. Thank you!’    Another said ‘It was a real honour to be asked to take part and it is also great recognition of the work our charity does and to acknowledge our volunteers and the huge benefit they bring to the city’