Christmas isn’t until another 10 weeks or so – but it hasn’t stopped The Dome, a restaurant and bar in Edinburgh city centre, from putting up festive lights already
Neighbours are split in opinion after a restaurant put up its Christmas lights in mid-October.
The Dome, a famous bar in Edinburgh city centre, has made the decision to show off its festive decorations before Halloween and Bonfire Night. The sparkly outdoor display has baffled locals – and tourists – with one describing the move as “madness” in a rant on X, which was known as Twitter.
The city resident shared a photograph of the lights on X, calling the timing as “madness”. Other images on social media, posted as early as Monday October 13, when The Dome put up the display, show sparkling wreaths above the doors and windows, with bright white lights wrapped around the building’s imposing columns.
It follows our report on Bridlington, a town in East Yorkshire, which celebrated Christmas in August – staging the big day in the 22C heat as a reminder to tourists the resort isn’t just for summer breaks. Jane Filby, 62, took her family from Northamptonshire for a summer Christmas – and her granddaughter was delighted to meet Santa on the sand.
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The Dome is following suit, going big on the festive period during a time when central Edinburgh sees great footgall from tourists. The imposing building dates back to 1847, when the building served as the headquarters to the Commercial Bank of Scotland – which later became the Royal Bank of Scotland.
And the eatery is using this to its advantage with bright white lights wrapped around the columns of the structure. One social media praised the business, writing: “The Dome makes such a huge effort that it does take them a while to put up all the decorations. Well done, I cannot wait to see the tree.” Another acknowledged it is “very early” but added: “However, bonny aren’t they?” Another reply read: “Love it! Never too early,” while another described the display as “always a welcome sight.”
While the outside decorations are complete, guests will have to wait until 20 October to see the Dome’s Christmas tree and indoor decorations.
The iconic building was designed by David Rhine – with the site initially set to be used as a Physicians’ Hall, and inside contains many references to the original plans. It served as the headquarters for the Commercial Bank of Scotland until 1959, when the company changed to the Royal Bank of Scotland and put the landmark up for sale. Caledonian Heritable Ltd purchased it and opened its doors as a bar and restaurant in 1996.
