MagicFest 2025

Unleash your inner magic with MagicFest, Edinburgh’s annual avalanche of illusion, sleight of hand, mystery and laughter.

This year the entertainment includes two world premieres, and Kevin Quantum’s popular Christmas Show with performances by some of the country’s best stage magicians.

Tickets are now on sale for shows taking place in the capital from 17 to 30 December.

Organiser and co-founder of MagicFest Kevin Quantum said: “It’s hard to believe that Edinburgh has now had its own festival of magic for 16 years, and it just gets more exciting every time around.

“For 2025 we not only have some of the top acts from Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond but have two brand new shows.

“The aim is to bring a special spark of fun to the festive season with great entertainment especially for adults, young people and children – plus lots that the whole family will enjoy together.”

Bookings – Online www.magicfest.co.uk Phone 0131 226 0006

  • Booking lines are open until 21 December, Monday to Friday 10am – 5pm. During the holidays, email [email protected]
  • In person: Tickets can be purchased on the day from the Festival venues, subject to availability.
  • Electronic Tickets: MagicFest is an e-ticketed event so you will need to present the barcode at the top of your confirmation email on entry.  This can either be on a smartphone or tablet or in printed form.  If you book multiple events, the same barcode will allow entry to all the events in one transaction. If you do not have a smartphone or access to a printer, please call us to make your booking on 0131 226 0006 and we can send out the printed confirmation email in the post for a £1.50 charge.
  • Concessions are available for: Full-time students, Senior citizens (65 and over), Under 16s (unless a child ticket is available), Disabled patrons (companions go free).
  • If you require wheelchair access or a complimentary companion ticket, please call the box office to book over the phone on 0131 226 0006.
  • Group Discounts: Available for groups of ten or more people. Please phone 0131 226 0006 for more information.
  • ALL SEATING IS UNRESERVED except for events at the Church Hill Theatre. 

Craigmillar Now

Craigmillar Now opened new artist studio spaces at Fort Kinnaird, providing affordable workspaces for creatives.

Opened at the start of November, the studios mark an exciting expansion for Craigmillar Now, furthering its mission to champion creativity and community engagement across the Greater Craigmillar area. 


The new facilities offer 40 artists a dedicated place to develop their practice, and are located just a short walk from the organisation’s arts and heritage centre in the former St Andrew’s Church.

The new space at Fort Kinnaird has been made available through its co-owner and property manager, British Land, as part of its Affordable Space programme. The initiative opens up retail and workspace at reduced or no rent, giving local enterprises, charities and community organisations the opportunity to grow, reach new audiences and add to the local economy. 

Delivered as part of British Land’s Thriving Places strategy, this initiative champions local opportunity and inclusion while enhancing Fort Kinnaird’s role as a vibrant community destination.

SRachael Cloughton, Director at Craigmillar Now said: “So many of the artists we work with have told us of the need for affordable studio space in the Craigmillar area, so finding a nearby location where we could open workspaces has been a priority for us for some time. When Fort Kinnaird offered us the lease of these spacious, versatile former office spaces we quickly took up their offer.”

Liam Smith, centre director at Fort Kinnaird, said: “Welcoming Craigmillar Now to Fort Kinnaird is part of our ongoing commitment to supporting our local community. Providing affordable studio space for local creatives not only helps nurture talent but also strengthens the area’s cultural identity. This project reflects our continued support for Craigmillar Now and the valuable work they do locally. Through partnerships like this, we’re proud to ensure the centre continues to be a place that champions creativity, connection and opportunity for everyone.”

The Studios have opened with more than twenty tenants. There are currently more spaces available, with prices for desks starting at just £22 per month, Craigmillar Now expects these to be filled quickly. 

For more information about the studios or to enquire about availability, visit www.craigmillarnow.com/studios or contact [email protected].

Fairmilehead survey

Residents in Fairmilehead are being invited to share their hopes and dreams for the district, as part of an initiative by the local community council to design a Local Place Plan.

An online survey has been launched, asking – for instance – resident views of what’s missing, what needs protecting and what’s good about Fairmilehead.

The resulting data will then form the basis of a Local Place Plan, to feed into Edinburgh city council’s wider planning for the years 2030-40.

The deadline for completing the survey is 15 January.

Colin Anderson, secretary of Fairmilehead Community Council said: “This is an important piece of work by us at the community council. It’s an ideal opportunity for local people to tell us what they think about Fairmilehead and how its future might be shaped.

“People might well ask to what extent their views will be taken on board by the council. While there can be no guarantees, we believe that one should at least try.

“Once the results are known, we will almost certainly be holding in-person events, to discuss the ‘hot topics’.”

So far, Local Place Plans have been submitted to the council by Wester Hailes Community Trust and residents at Midmar Paddock.

More than 400 people also took part in a survey about the future of the Astley Ainslie hospital site in Morningside – after it is exited, although not fully, by NHS Lothian. The exercise was carried out by the Astley Ainslie Community Trust and will be used as a basis for its own Local Place Plan.

The survey can be completed on TheFairmile.Substack.com

Hippfest 2026

The HippFest Festival Pass will grant holders access to all eligible screening events in the Hippodrome during the festival dates (booking required), along with a host of other benefits including priority booking and a discount at the Hippodrome cafe and bar. Prices start at just £66 for the HippFest Under-30s Weekend Pass, with prices frozen from 2025 for the standard HippFest Weekend Pass and HippFest Five Day Pass at £99 and £142.50 respectively. The perfect gift for you and the cinephile in your life, HippFest Festival Passes are available to book now! 

Looking forward to HippFest 2026, Festival Director Alison Strauss said: “Our 16th HippFest is shaping up to be a dazzling international event with films from Sweden, Norway, Japan, the US, Germany and of course Scotland!  We’ll be working with world-class musicians, pairing them with our exciting line up of rediscoveries and restorations, as well as with a host of excellent guest speakers, authors, artists and partners.  We’re looking forward to welcoming audiences from far and wide for the full schedule of events and activities that the Festival has to offer, and we’re especially thrilled to extend that invitation to our online audiences too, thanks to our expanded and immersive HippFest at Home offer.”

Inspired by the Hippodrome Cinema in Bo’ness, Scotland’s oldest purpose-built picture palace, HippFest is an emphatic celebration of the silent era, pairing the magic of the silver screen with the virtuoso talent of some of the best musicians and accompanists on the live circuit today. 

www.hippfest.co.uk 

Head for Pitlochry in January

From 16 to 18 January in the Auditorium and Studio at Pitlochry Festival Theatre a festival will take place in Perthshire. It is but a train ride away from Edinburgh, and we think it worthy of mention here as a potential day out.

Out in the Hills will feature: Ian McKellen, Graham Norton, Armistead Maupin, Jo Clifford, Evelyn Glennie and Alan Cumming

It is billed as “A queer festival for everyone”.

“Brighten up your January with three days of theatre, music, film, dancing, and much more. This new festival celebrates all things LGBTQIA+ and invites all of us to find new ways to look at the world and each other. 

“From the first look at brand new plays, to beautiful exhibitions of photography, to events discussing everything from football to crime writing, to baking. 

“Ian McKellen stars in a rehearsed reading of Equinox, a brand-new one-man play by Laurie Slade. Our very own Alan Cumming leads the company for Me and the Girls; an adaptation of a Noel Coward story by Neil Bartlett. 

“Our series of ‘in conversation’ events gives a chance to hear from well-loved figures like literary icons Jackie Kay and Armistead Maupin, politician turned stand-up Mhairi Black, and the nation’s favourite chat show host, Graham Norton. 

“And whilst it might be dark outside, the whole building will be full of joy and life inside. With drop in workshops for young people across the weekend, a queer ceilidh on the Friday night, and a DJ set from Junglehussi on Saturday. 

“There really is something for everyone, and all are welcome to come along. Be curious, be entertained and be connected.” 

Out in the Hills is curated by Lewis Hetherington and supported by PITLOCHRYhotels.com

Pitlochry festival Theatre new Studio official opening.

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