Edinburgh wishes peaceful Christmas after Paris attacks

The Christmas festive season began Sunday evening here in Scotland's capital with dances, performances and fireworks attracting tens of thousands of viewers amid normal security measures.

This year's theme for Light Night is Light. With a series of stages set up in the George Street at the city center, the event is for the community and by the community, according to the organizers.

Over 50 schools, community and interest groups, with an estimated total of 1,250 performers, each performing an act, a dance, a song or a piece of music to celebrate all things Christmas on one of the stages named in colour Green, Gold, White, Blue, Pink, Purple and Red.

With each group exploring and using Light in their performance, Light Night presented an illuminating, sparkling and festive extravaganza to about 25,000 audience.

Scotland's superstar and singing talent Susan Boyle wished everyone a peaceful Christmas, which is especially cherished after the Paris terror attacks on Nov. 13.

Donald Wilson, Lord Provost of the City of Edinburgh, expected people to enjoy the winter festive season in Edinburgh including a host of rides, attractions, markets and shows, as well as food and drink in 2015 "Year of food and drink Scotland".

The security measure for the event is "normal" only to keep people flow's smooth movement and there was no higher level of alert for any terror risks, Police on duty told Xinhua. Endit