We've got the fun mapped out this festive season
This Christmas, Edinburgh will burst to life in a blaze of festive magic and sparkle with the addition of new events and attractions to the bill of traditional favourites.
From Thursday 22 November, the capital will roll out a festive programme across the city and, for the first time, into Leith.
The new Christmas additions will be headlined by a spectacular aerial performance of the popular classic ‘Twas The Night Before Christmas.
The city’s festivities, which traditionally draw hundreds of thousands to the iconic Big Wheel, ice skating and Christmas markets in Princes Street Gardens, will also include the addition of a children’s ice rink, an ice gallery with an ice bar serving hot chocolate and a brand new Highland Village Christmas Market.
Nickie Gott, managing director of She’s Gott It!, who have been recently appointed by the Council to produce Edinburgh’s Christmas this year, said: “Edinburgh is one of the world’s most romantic cities and particularly magical at Christmas.
“We aim to bring something to the city that will complement the traditional festivities and enhance the experience for all ages.
“With shopping, food and great entertainment all set against the backdrop of historic Edinburgh, we are planning a Christmas which is not just for the thousands of visitors, but also something the residents can be proud of.
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“We can’t wait to roll it out!”
The highlight of Edinburgh’s Christmas 2007 will be a ground-breaking outdoor performance of the classic poem, ’Twas The Night Before Christmas.
This free family event will be staged on one night only opposite Ocean Terminal in Leith and incorporates light, live music and aerial acrobatics in a unique interpretation of the popular tale.
Eight thousand people are expected to enjoy the show which will be accompanied by a 16-piece big band, the Love Boat, and will close with carols by choirs from local Edinburgh schools.
New additions to the Winter Wonderland in East Princes Street Gardens include a children’s ice rink for under-sevens adjoining the main ice rink, and Edinburgh’s first Ice Gallery featuring ice sculptures and displays of historic winter sports in Scotland.
The interactive venue will provide plenty of snow and ice activity for all the family, with a snowslide, ice-block Jenga and a snow shy, as well as hot chocolate served from a bar made from ice.
For shoppers, two new markets have been introduced to Edinburgh’s popular Christmas line-up of German, French and Farmers’ Markets.
This year there will be a new Highland Village Christmas Market in East Princes Street Gardens, selling quality produce and gifts from across Scotland, and the Edinburgh Ethical Christmas Fayre on Castle Street, selling a wide array of fair trade and ethically-sourced food and crafts from around the world.
Edinburgh’s Christmas attracted over 250,000 visitors to the German Market alone last year, 27 per cent of which were from outside Scotland.
New Christmas producer She’s Gott It! plans to increase footfall with the introduction of an enhanced programme of festive activities and highlights over the next three years.