Edinburgh Will Be A Top Destination This Christmas

Scotland’s capital city will be putting heart and soul into celebrating Christmas this year, with the promise that their plans will be bigger and more affordable than ever. The opening “Light Night” is an example with some sixty schools and community groups gathering to perform at the inaugural event on George Street on 23 November.

Looking forward to Christmas

A new ice rink is planned for St Andrew Square around the Melville Monument and low-cost attractions will be available in East Princes Street Gardens. People with an EH postcode will received a 20% discount on all shows, rides and events.

Favourites from last year will be back, including the Christmas Tree Maze, Starflyer, Big Wheel and Paradiso Spiegeltent. The ice rink, overlooked by the Scott Monument, will again be back in East Princes Street, while Santa Land - including the train and grotto - has been expanded.  The Big Wheel, enjoyed by 120,000 people last year, will be festooned with 20,000 lights.

The Spiegeltent performances include the Scotch and Soda circus, comedian Al Murray and Stickman, a show based on the children's book by Julia Donaldson.

Edinburgh's Festivals and Events Champion Steve Cardownie said organisers Unique Events and Underbelly had worked hard to include a range of free and low-cost attractions.

He said: "Edinburgh is always a special city during winter and this year, the capital is certainly the place to be to celebrate Christmas. Our festive programmes are the envy of the world. The line up this winter with Underbelly will be bring back some of the city's classic attractions such as Santa Land - which will be bigger than ever before - and the spectacular Light Night on George Street which returns for its second year.

"Not only will the East Princes Street Gardens ice rink make a return after receiving well over 30,000 visitors last Christmas, but a new bespoke ice rink in St Andrew Square will be opened for the very first time."

The opening ceremony, Light Night, will be free from 14:00 to 17:00 on Sunday 23 November. 600 local performers will take part in this event with a theme of Christmas Songs and Carols

The Christmas Tree on the Mound, a gift to the City of Edinburgh Council from the Hordaland County Council in Norway, will be lit up as part of the Light Night switch-on.

Pupils from 24 Edinburgh primary schools have been invited to design a stained glass window and will show off their creations in Princes Street Gardens. The European Christmas Market will be back in Princes Street Gardens and the Mound, with 106 stalls offering a selection of foods, drinks and crafts.

Edinburgh's Christmas