Thoughts have turned to Christmas with the launch earlier today of Edinburgh's Christmas Festival, which starts on 25 November with Edinburgh Light Night. Returning to the city centre for the duration of the wintry months, is the big Ferris wheel, the ice rink (re-branded from a "Winter Wonderland" to "Edinburgh's Ice Rink"), the Santa run, and the traditional German Christmas market.
Edinburgh Light Night, which sees the lighting of the large Christmas tree on the Mound, is one of several christmas lights events taking place. The event will include street theatre and an aerial display on this the 25th anniversary year of the tree being gifted to the city by the people of Hordaland in Norway.
Santa will visit East Princes Street Gardens from 4 December onwards to collect his post every day and meet the children for some storytelling.
St Andrew’s Day, part of the "Edinburgh's Christmas Festival", will also see four days of free events for all the family, topped off with a ceilidh finale.
Nickie Gott, managing director of She’s Gott It!, Edinburgh’s Christmas producers, promised "magic and sparkle" this Christmas.
"With chocolate from Cadbury and fun and games from Nintendo, we have two unique new reasons to come into town, and Light Night promises to bring a real wow factor to kick everything off,” she said.
Marketing push
To promote the events, alongside the shopping, dining and cultural scene of the city, local organisations have joined forces, through an initiative coordinated by the Destination Edinburgh
Marketing Alliance (DEMA) to fund a £170,000 UK-wide winter marketing campaign.
Edinburgh Sparkles is the largest ever public-private investment in the city’s marketing and again underlines the importance of the festive season to the local economy.
Edinburgh Sparkles will be promoted throughout November and December with support from City of Edinburgh Council, Essential Edinburgh, Edinburgh’s Trams, Edinburgh Airport and Lothian Buses.
Giant billboard advertising will appear throughout the Central Belt, as well as London, Manchester and Newcastle, in a bid to attract more day-trippers and visitors to the city centre.
“Edinburgh at Christmas continues to be an enormous draw for visitors and residents alike," said City of Edinburgh Council’s Lord Provost, Councillor George Grubb, "research shows that it ranks high on the list of top places to celebrate the season. The city comes alive in a very special way and gives everyone the opportunity to reflect on the true meaning of Christmas as well as enjoying a great programme of events and attractions.”
Edinburgh's Christmas Lights Switch On dates
- Thursday 25th November 17.15 Mound place, Lawnmarket to John Knox House
- Thursday 25th November TBC George Street
- Tuesday 30th November 18.00 Lauriston Place/Tollcross
- Thursday 2nd December 16.30 Kirkgate Leith
- Thursday 2nd December 17.30 South Queensferry HIgh Street
- Thursday 2nd December 18.00 Restalrig Road South
- Thursday 2nd December 18.15 Morningside
- Friday 3rd December 18.30 Grassmarket Christmas Tree, Davidson's Mains
- Saturday 4th December 16.30 Marchmont Cres. & Warrender Park Rd.
- Sunday 5th December 18.00 George City Farm
- Monday 6th December 18.30 Prestonfield Avenue & Prestonfield Terrace, Newhaven School
- Tuesday 7th December 18.00 St Patrick's Square
- Thursday 9th December 18.00 Holy Corner
- Thursday 9th December 18.30 Corstorphine Old Parish Church