Christmas is just capital!
Voted the best place in the UK to enjoy Christmas and Hogmanay, nowhere else sparkles like Edinburgh over the winter months.
EDINBURGH SPARKLES
The Edinburgh Sparkles campaign will see the city being promoted throughout the UK. This will include a TV ad celebrating Scotland’s capital and outdoor advertising throughout the Central Belt.
The Council, Essential Edinburgh, Edinburgh Airport, John Lewis, Princes Mall and The Gyle are all partners in the campaign, which has been brought to life by the city’s new promotion body, Marketing Edinburgh.
Visit www.edinburghsparkles.com for more on what’s happening with the city’s shops, bars, restaurants and attractions as well as special offers and competitions.
TREASURE HUNT
Starting from 5pm on Thursday 3 November and taking place every week until Christmas, the Edinburgh Sparkles Treasure Hunt offers up the chance to find thousands of pounds worth of prizes on city-centre streets.
All you need to do is try and solve the clues on the Edinburgh Sparkles Twitter account, @edinburgh_ to find exactly where they’re hidden. Then, on your marks, get set, go!
The first person to get to the right spot and approach our Edinburgh Sparkles angel wins. Look out for the hashtag #edintreasure.
SHOPPING
Different shopping districts offer abundant variety, from independent to exciting international stores, all easily reached by foot, car or public transport – more about that later.
Walk the streets of Edinburgh’s vibrant city centre to discover the ultimate shopping experience. Set in the most beautiful location, and just steps away from the magical events of Edinburgh’s Christmas, hundreds of top quality-stores mean that you can shop ‘til you drop while also soaking up one of the world’s best festive atmospheres.
Take a stroll round the extraordinary Royal Mile and Grassmarket and not only will you discover more about Edinburgh’s history, you’ll also find amazing vintage clothing and one of a kind boutiques. The Old Town is linked to the city centre by the quirky Cockburn Street, home to all manner of fantastic counter-culture stores.
And not forgetting the West End Village – one of Edinburgh’s best kept secrets; a glorious network of Georgian streets in the west of the New Town. Tucked away just behind Shandwick Place, the West End Village is home to brilliant contemporary independent retailers, giving a bohemian feel to this part of Edinburgh.
GOING OUT – ATTRACTIONS
There are lots of reasons why Edinburgh was voted by TripAdvisor users as the most family-friendly city in the UK but undoubtedly one of them is the city’s attractions – there’s an unbelievable wealth of things to see and do, plus some exciting new news.
For instance, if you go down to the zoo this winter, you’ll be in for a big surprise…pandas! Tian Tian and Yuang Guang are the first giant pandas to stay in a UK zoo for more than 20 years and it’s hoped that one day they’ll have a baby. They’ll be flying in on a special jet plane just in time for Christmas.
And talking of animals, The National Museum of Scotland has creatures of a different sort to discover.
Dinosaurs, cloned sheep, beautiful butterflies – this is the place for those with an imaginative mind and thirst to find out about the wonders of the world. Having re-opened after a £47m refit, the museum has already attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Of course, a trip to Edinburgh isn’t complete without a visit to the iconic Castle – and there’s no better time than when it’s lit up against the winter sky. Why not book tickets for an excellent guided tour?
GOING OUT – EATING AND DRINKING
Just because it’s the festive season, you don’t need to endure tasteless turkey or soggy sprouts.
In fact, there’s no excuse for food envy in Edinburgh, because it’s home to more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere in the UK outside London, plus a host of award-winning gastro pubs, bistros and quirky, individual eateries.
Enjoy Christmas menus and seasonal pleasures galore, all sourced from Scotland’s natural larder and prepared by some of the country’s most talented chefs.
Michelin-star chef Martin Wishart has just opened his second Edinburgh restaurant at 58a North Castle Street to critical acclaim. The 60-cover, Parisian-inspired brassiere serves an absolutely delicious French-Scottish menu.
Other city centre highlights include Oloroso on Castle Street, which serves locally sourced, seasonal food in stylish surroundings – make sure to visit its spectacular rooftop for enchanting views across Edinburgh’s glimmering nightscape.
Elsewhere in George Street there’s Centotre, Browns, the Dome, Gusto and more besides – take a wander along and see what takes your fancy.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling creative, visit the award-winning Edinburgh Farmers’ Market at Castle Terrace every Saturday between 9am and 2pm. The majority of stallholders are primary producers, growing all of what they sell, including meat products, fish, eggs, cheese, seasonal fruit & vegetables, honey, chillies and plants. You’ll also find producers who bake tasty treats.