TER Edinburgh Castle from Arthur's Seat 2

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay

The Edinburgh Reporter Christmas feature

Edinburgh’s Christmas 

St Andrew’s Day Celebrations

Book Week Scotland

Yes we know it’s early to be talking about Christmas and Hogmanay but you have to get organised!

Tickets for all events at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay are on sale – full details can be found at www.edinburghshogmanay.com. The early bird ticket offer for Edinburgh Residents will close on Friday 28 November.

Until then, anyone living in an EH postcode can buy their Street Party ticket for the reduced price of £16 plus booking fee.  The full programme for all three days of the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Festival will be announced in November.

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Email us for more details theedinburghreporter@gmail.com

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Edinburgh’s Christmas is just around the corner.  It all starts on 21 November and then really sparks on 23 November with Light Night on George Street and then continues till the New Year.

Here is what happening in St Andrew Square:

21 November 2014 to 4 January 2014. Garden is free to access.

A totally new and unique Ice Rink comes to Edinburgh and to St Andrew Square, circumnavigating the iconic Melville Monument and the circular bar at its foot.

Following in the footsteps of last year’s hit LIMBO, the magnificent 635 seat Spiegeltent returns to play host to Scotch and Soda, the critically acclaimed circus sensation that comes to Edinburgh from sell-out seasons at the Brisbane and Sydney Festivals.

The Paradiso Spiegeltent programme also includes Al Murray celebrating 20 years of Lager Tops and Edinburgh’s favourite all male burlesque, Briefs, return with a truly unique festive party. Julia Donaldson’s Stickman will entertain all the family tree along with Baby Disco and the return of the legend that is Hot Dub Time Machine for a limited run.

The Laughing Stock will be offering audiences an exclusive and original experience: a delicious dinner cooked by their award winning chefs and served in a private booth in the Spiegeltent, prior to an electrifying performance of Scotch and Soda or Briefs.

Other highlights of St Andrews Square include:

The Scottish Market: The market showcases some of the best of Scottish food, drink and crafts.

A Carousel and a Helter Skelter

 

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Before we get to the end of the year first of all we will be invited to celebrate St Andrew’s Day on 30 November to be celebrated in St Andrew Square from 10am to 10pm, Free

St Andrew’s Day activities for all the family, fittingly in St Andrew Square for the first time!

As part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals, music, storytelling and more will celebrate Scotland’s national day and patron Saint.

Cabinet Secretary for Culture and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, said: “The Scottish Government is proud to support Edinburgh’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations, as part of Scotland’s Winter Festivals. From ceilidh dancing and curling demonstrations, to live music and storytelling, these festivities in the heart of the capital, to mark Scotland’s national day, are aimed at all the family.

“A warm welcome awaits both residents and visitors alike, as our rich culture and distinctive heritage take centre stage.”

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Well-loved literary characters don their boxing gloves and get ready for the fight of their lives, as Scottish Book Trust launches the full Book Week Scotland 2014 programme, which includes a national vote for the favourite character from a Scottish book. © Rob McDougall
Well-loved literary characters don their boxing gloves and get ready for the fight of their lives, as Scottish Book Trust launches the full Book Week Scotland 2014 programme, which includes a national vote for the favourite character from a Scottish book. © Rob McDougall

Book Week Scotland takes place between 23 and 30 November 2014. This is the third year running for a national celebration of reading with Scottish authors all across the country.

You are invited to get involved in five ways this year:

Take a reading pledge for Book Week Scotland. Read that book that is on your bedside table that you have never got round to opening, but you liked the cover when you bought it in the bookshop.

Vote for your favourite character from a Scottish book.

Write a love letter to your local library.

Pick your books out for Book Week Scotland. This is easy. You just have to choose from the lists suggested by the Scottish Book Trust.

Tune into Book Talk ! These are podcasts and you can subscribe on iTunes, Soundcloud or on the Scottish Book Trust website.

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Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.