This child-friendly, city-centre carnival, timed to coincide with the opening of the Fringe, is one of the few events which genuinely embraces the whole range of entertainment on offer at the Festival. Run by the city council, and with local community groups playing a key role, the free and un-ticketed event takes in actors, musicians, dancers and a good few marching bands - firing the starting gun on the Festival in unforgettable, raucous style.

The cavalcade usually kicks off with an ear-assaulting drive-past by Edinburgh's motorbike and vintage car clubs. That's soon followed by the no-less-noisy procession of the entire cast of the Military Tattoo - with its massed pipes and drums, marching bands, highland dancers and guests from the Commonwealth and beyond. For those who aren't lucky enough to have a ticket for the main show on the Castle Esplanade, this is the best way to catch a glance of the Tattoo in full voice.

The discipline of the military parade soon gives way to an exuberant procession of local charities and visiting thespians, which make up the bulk of the cavalcade. Some on foot, some on floats, the passing acts range from the conventional to the outright zany: an operatic chorus might be followed by a teddy bear on stilts, or an elephant driving a Land Rover. But one thing you can be sure of: you'll never have seen so much signing, dancing and general showmanship on the back of a flat-bed truck.

The cavalcade is great fun, and well-attended by Edinburgh locals year after year. Let's be honest, though - participants in this event have two main agendas: to raise money for local community groups, and to promote their shows on the Fringe. Expect to have a number of buckets shaken at you and even more flyers forced into your hand.