Everyone deserves to share in the magic of Christmas, and this year 5000 tickets for Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions – including the Alpine Ice Rink and Big Wheel – are being gifted to local community groups and charities to ensure those who are less fortunate can join in the fun as the city comes to life with the festive spirit.
UniqueAssembly, who produce Edinburgh’s Christmas on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council, today announced that applications are now open for local groups and charities who work with disadvantaged people in the community to claim tickets for rides and attractions at this year’s event – which will take over the Scottish capital from Friday 17 November 2023 until Saturday 6 January 2024.
Applications can be made via the form on Edinburgh’s Christmas website, or via email at communities@unique-assembly.co.uk.
Tickets will be limited per applicant/group, and applicants will be asked to include details of their organisational aims and how they would like to use the tickets.
Applications are now open and will close midnight Sunday 5 November, with decisions to be made by Friday 10 November. Event producers invite applications from charities and volunteer organisations, including young carers, refugee groups, and others in the community who need support.
Another uplifting Christmas initiative is the return of the annual Winter Windows schools competition, which will be even bigger this year with the number of winners doubled to 24.
School children from across Edinburgh are encouraged to submit an artwork that represents their idea of winter and the festive season to be selected for display along walkways across the city. The winners’ artworks will also be showcased on Edinburgh’s Christmas social channels. Contact your school for more information.
Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations will also include open access to the iconic Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens which will host a community-focused programme of events in association with various local charity partners.
Running for four weekends 18 November – 10 December, there will be a mix of free and ticketed events that touch upon some of the pillars of Christmas – Light, Music, Dance, and Santa.
Some of the partners that Edinburgh’s Christmas are supporting this year include Edinburgh Diwali on Sunday 19 November, a St Andrew’s Day Outdoor Ceilidh on Sunday 26 November, Nativity Carol Concert with Edinburgh Churches Together on Sunday 3 December, and the 19th annual Santa Fun Run with When you Wish Upon a Star on Sunday 10 December.
More details will be available on the Edinburgh’s Christmas website in coming weeks.
The spirit of giving and community continues with Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness, which includes the 10m tall Kindness Tree and Gift Donation point, dedicated to spreading goodwill to those who need it most.
Donations can be made to help provide thousands of Christmas dinners, food packs and gifts to homeless and vulnerable families, children, and individuals, or for shelter to those without a roof over their heads this winter.
Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations will run from Friday 17 November 2023 – Saturday 6 January 2024, including the free-to-enter markets and ticketed attractions which are now available for purchase online.
The city centre will form a circuit of Christmas cheer with four zones to explore – a Festive Family Funfair in West Princes Street Gardens, the East Princes Street Gardens Christmas Market, Santa’s Workshop and Social Bite Festival of Kindness at St Andrew Square, and the Alpine Ice Rink and LocalMotive Castle Street Christmas Market on George Street West and Castle Street.
Residents with an EH postcode are eligible for a 20% discount on tickets to all of Edinburgh’s Christmas events.
For further information, visit Edinburgh’s Christmas website:
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The people of Edinbugh should not need tickets to enter their city centre. Ever. Especially Hogmanay.