Edinburgh’s Christmas runs from 18 November 2016 to 7 January 2017.
While events are spread across the city centre, for the first time this year the Street of Light will be in George Street, and with a Spiegeltent in Festival Square the West End of the city is really included.
There are events in St Andrew Square and in East Princes Street Gardens.
Many new sponsors have helped extend what is on offer in Edinburgh such as Standard Life and Western Toyota.
For the fourth year Underbelly are taking care of all things Christmas on behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council. This is now one of the biggest Christmas events in the country making Edinburgh the place to be at Christmas.
Last year over 250,000 people came to see the very first Street of Light on the Royal Mile triggering an explosion on social media of 54 million Twitter impressions using the hashtag #streetoflight! So make sure you take your phone and upload your photos using the hashtag.
Tickets are available to book now for the many shows and events which make up Edinburgh’s Christmas.
There is a discount on tickets of 20% for those of us lucky enough to have an EH postcode. Almost 100,000 discounted tickets were sold last year so be sure and get yours booked!
24 Doors of Advent / 1-24 December 2016
The free event 24 Doors of Advent returns from 1 – 24 December, allowing you to peep behind usually closed doors throughout the city during advent! In 2016, working with Festival of Architecture and Royal Incorporation of Architects Scotland (RIAS), 24 Doors of Advent opens many new doors for you to explore what’s behind this year including Royal Lyceum Theatre, the Chapel of St Albert the Great & BT Murrayfield Stadium.
Balloon Ride / 19 November 2016 – 7 January 2017
Watch the little ones’ faces light up as they take to the skies in this super fun balloon ride! Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Tree Maze, the Santa Train, and family-friendly rides the Race-a-Rama, Carousel, Helter Skelter, Ice Wall, Reindeer Ride, Crazy Cars and a Rollercoaster. Tickets from £2.5 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Big Wheel / 19 November 2016 – 7 January 2017
Open from 10 a.m. each day in the heart of the city centre, the observational Big Wheel has thirty-six enclosed, weather-proof pods, each seating six people and showing unrivalled views of Edinburgh. As the pod door closes, you’ll hear a short historical tour of the view and the City. One ride on the Big Wheel won’t be enough! The Big Wheel is located in East Princes Street Gardens which also hosts the Star Flyer rides again this year, as well as hosting a carousel bar and the European Christmas market filled with bespoke goods. Tickets from £6 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Carousel / 19 November 2016 – 7 January 2017
The stunning merry-go-round returns to Santa Land. Suitable for all the family. Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Tree Maze, the Santa Train, and family-friendly rides the Race-a-Rama, Helter Skelter, Ice Wall, Reindeer Ride, Crazy Cars and a Rollercoaster. Tickets from £3.5 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Christmas Tree Maze / 19 November 2016 – 7 January 2017
Prepare to get lost in the magical Christmas Tree Maze! A joy for children and adults alike — can you make your way to the centre and back again? Inside you’ll also discover the Elves’ workshop, where Santa’s little helpers will be waiting for you with a wee treat. Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Tree Maze, the Santa Train, and family-friendly rides the Race-a-Rama, Carousel, Helter Skelter, Ice Wall, Reindeer Ride, Crazy Cars and a Rollercoaster. Tickets from £3.5 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Crazy Cars / 19 November 2016 – 7 January 2017
New to Santa Land this year, even the little ones can climb into the drivers seat and beat the traffic by hopping onboard the Crazy Cars. Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Santa’s Grotto, the Santa Train, and family-friendly rides the Race-a-Rama, Carousel, Helter Skelter, Ice Wall, Reindeer Ride and a Rollercoaster. Tickets from £2 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Double Carousel / 19 November 2016 – 7 January 2017
Head down to East Princes Street Gardens and ride our beautiful, double-tiered, musical carousel. Venue: East Princes Street Gardens hosts the Big Wheel and the Star Flyer rides again this year, as well as hosting a carousel bar and a Christmas market filled with bespoke goods. Tickets from £4 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Helter Skelter / 19 November – 7 January 2017
Climb the tower for a view over Edinburgh’s Christmas’s sparkling lights, before sliding back to earth on this traditional helter skelter. Each ticket holder gets a single ride. Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Tree Maze, the Santa Train, and family-friendly rides the Race-a-Rama, Carousel, Ice Wall, Reindeer Ride, Crazy Cars and a Rollercoaster. Tickets from £2 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Ice Skating / 18 November – 7 January
Get your skates on and glide all the way round the Melville Monument on this circular ice rink in St Andrew Square. Tickets from £5 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Ice Wall / 19 November – 7 January
Feel like an arctic explorer when you scale Santa Land’s climbing wall! Can you make it all way to the top? Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Tree Maze, the Santa Train, and family-friendly rides the Race-a-Rama, Carousel, Helter Skelter, Reindeer Ride, Crazy Cars and a Rollercoaster. Tickets from £5 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Race-o-Rama / 19 November – 7 January 2017
This ‘Cars’-themed ride is an eye-catching attraction for all ages. There’s something for everyone with ten colourful cars to choose from. Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Tree Maze, the Santa Train, and family-friendly rides on the Carousel, Ice Wall, Reindeer Ride, Crazy Cars and a Rollercoaster. Tickets from £3 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Reindeer Ride / 19 November – 7 January 2017
The kids will feel like Santa’s little helpers when they take a ride on Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen — and Rudolph, of course! — on this festive merry-go-round. Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Tree Maze, the Santa Train, and family-friendly rides on the Carousel, Ice Wall, Crazy Cars and a Rollercoaster. Tickets from £3 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Rollercoaster / 19 November – 7 January 2017
One for the young thrill-seekers, the family ride is a fantastic first-time rollercoaster. Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Tree Maze, the Santa Train, and family-friendly rides on the Carousel, Ice Wall, Reindeer Ride, Crazy Cars. Tickets from £4 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Santa Train / 19 November – 7 January 2017
Board the train at Santa’s station and then it’s all aboard for an exciting ride around Santa Land. Look up to the Castle, the tree on the Mound, the Big Wheel, the huts and the Ice Rink on the Terrace, and wave to the crowds as Santa sounds the bell. Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Santa’s Grotto, a Christmas Tree Maze and family-friendly rides on the Carousel, Ice Wall, Reindeer Ride, Crazy Cars and a Rollercoaster. Tickets from £4 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Santa’s Grotto / 19 November – 24 December 2016
Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to Santa… After a good break this year, a refreshed Santa is back to welcome you to his grotto. A chance for children to meet the man in red in person, and tell him their dearest wish. Come and hear a festive fairytale, sit on Father Christmas’s knee, meet his helpers, and receive a wee gift. Venue: Santa Land, in East Princes Street Gardens, which features Christmas Tree Maze, the Santa Train, and family-friendly rides on the Carousel, Ice Wall, Reindeer Ride, Crazy Cars and a Rollercoaster. Tickets from £8 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Star Flyer / 19 November – 7 January 2017
We dare you…! At nearly 60 metres high, the Star Flyer is truly awesome. Take your seat and view Edinburgh like you’ve never seen it before, with 360-degree views over the rooftops — or maybe with your eyes firmly shut! Tickets from £7.50 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
The Yeti / 19 November – 7 January 2017
The mighty mechanical arms of the Yeti send you flying up, down and round in this avalanche of fun for thrill-seekers. A new ride for Edinburgh’s Christmas 2016! Tickets from £5 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Winter Windows / 19 November – 7 January 2017
Come and see Edinburgh’s Winter Windows! Designed by pupils from schools throughout Edinburgh, the windows form a magical pathway to Santa Land in East Princes Street Gardens.
Street of Light / 20 November – 24 December 2016
The stunning Street of Light is back for Edinburgh’s Christmas 2016 in a new location on the west end of George Street. The Street of Light opens on 20 November as part of Light Night, then runs from 21 November – 24 December, with two performances, commencing at 6pm and 8pm each night. With over 60,000 beautiful bulbs of light alongside synchronised music from local choirs and bands including the Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus, the hottest contemporary fiddle music from the Highlands and Islands, Blazin’ Fiddles, and Scotland’s very own bhangra group Tigerstyle. Last year’s spectacular was all about spectating but this year you will be singing and dancing!
Markets
The Scottish Market / 26 November – 24 December 2016
The Scottish Market in West George St is a winter showcase of some of the best craft, food and drink that Scotland has to offer. The treats available will include locally produced goods, for example Mimi’s Bakery, St Andrew’s Eden Mill, Strathearn Distillery, Blacks Cheese and Romanes & Paterson. Open Monday-Thursday from 12pm until 10pm, Friday-Saturday from 10am until 10pm.
European Christmas Market / 19 November 2016 – 7 January 2017
The European Christmas Market will once again return to East Princes St Gardens for a whole host of bespoke and traditional Christmas items from all over Europe, including Germany, France, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Belgium. Located in the heart of the City of Edinburgh, it offers a unique shopping experience for every visitor with its fair of crafters, artists, gift shops and gastronomic surprises. Get into the Christmas spirit!
One-off events
Light Night / 1pm – 5pm on 20 November
Light Night is an event free for all to enjoy, which encapsulates the true spirit of the festive season: family and the community. Choirs from across Scotland including Edinburgh Festival Chorus, Royal Scottish National Orchestra Junior Chorus and Edinburgh’s Got Soul will perform in front of an expected audience of around 20,000 people. This year the Street of Light at the west end of George Street will make its first appearance as part of Light Night and the acts will perform on a stage under its lights and will again be hosted by Forth One DJ Arlene Stuart! The Christmas Tree on the Mound, a gift to the City of Edinburgh Council from Hordaland County Council in Norway, will be lit as part of the Light Night switch-on.
Santa Run / 11am on 11 December 2016
Once more, Scotland’s fundraising Santas will run, walk and stroll around West Prices Street Gardens, which is spread over a short 2.5km circuit raising money for When You Wish Upon A Star. The Edinburgh Santa Fun Run & Walk is a great way to enjoy time with family, friends and work colleagues to help us continue granting the very special wishes for children who are living with a life threatening illness throughout Scotland. For more information on how to enter and to book tickets visit www.edinburghschristmas.com
Christmas on Stage
Edinburgh’s Christmas joins forces with The Lyceum, Traverse Theatre and Usher Hall to bring you Christmas on Stage, a celebration of fantastic shows for the festive season in Edinburgh’s West End.
Five Guys Named Moe / 18 November – 7 January 2017
A hit musical by Clarke Peters featuring Louis Jordan’s greatest hits! A major new production of the hit West End and Broadway musical comes to Edinburgh this Christmas. Five Guys Named Moe features the toe-tapping and irresistible hits of jazz legend Louis Jordan, including; Early In The Morning, Choo Choo Ch’Boogie and Saturday Night Fish Fry, plus many more performed on stage by a live band. Newly single and broke, he finds solace in the Five Guys Named Moe (Big Moe, Four Eyed Moe, Eat Moe, Know Moe and Little Moe), who emerge to rouse him from his misfortunes with a whole lot of soul, music and infectious energy! Packed with an uplifting live soundtrack of soul, blues, gospel and early r’n’b, and led by our all-singing, all dancing Five Guys, this high-octane production of Five Guys Named Moe is the ultimate celebration to lift your soul. Suitable for ages 12+. Venue: Festival Square Theatre. Tickets from £15.50 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Morgan & West: A (sort of) Christmas Carol Magic Show! / 1 December – 7 January 2017
The world’s most distinguished duo of Time Travelling Magicians Morgan & West present Charles Dickens’ timeless classic A Christmas Carol. The only problem is, they’re baffled by the story. Well not just one problem, there are also only two of them to play all the parts. Oh, and Mr West is rather insistent on doing a magic show at the same time. How hard could it possibly be? There’s fun in store for everyone in this utterly splendid (and totally silly) Christmas magic show! Perfect for children age 5 to 12. Venue: Festival Square Theatre. Tickets from £13 available at www.edinburghschristmas.com
Other Christmas on Stage events include:
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at The Lyceum Theatre, 26 November – 31 December 2016
Black Beauty at the Traverse Theatre, 2 – 24 December 2016
Last Christmas at the Traverse Theatre, 13 – 23 December 2016
The Royal Scottish National Orchestra Christmas concert The Snowman, 3pm 18 December
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
