The Edinburgh International Festival of Magic is back for a 14th year, with international star Kevin Quantum topping the bill. Known as MagicFest it runs from 20-31 Dec. and will be a dazzling showcase of new and established magical talent.
There are new collaborations with Edinburgh Castle’s “The Castle of Light” and Wonder and Co (the capital’s new magic shop) as well as The Joker and the Thief, plus the welcome return of Future Magicians, and family shows at The Scottish Storytelling Centre.
This year’s programme
Kevin Quantum’s Christmas Special: Straight from sell-out shows in Edinburgh and Australia, Kevin returns with a high-energy, wonder-packed family show at the Church Hill Theatre. Join the Edinburgh-based international star and special guest, the contemporary conjuror Oliver Tabor, for a magical night out, with big laughs, amazement and adventure.
- Venue: Church Hill Theatre.
- Duration: 1hr 45 min including 15 min intermission
- Ages: 5+
- Tickets: Standard £20, £18 Concessions, £18 Child
- Dates, times: 24 Dec 15:00. 27, 28, 29, 30 Dec 14:00 and 19:00. 31 Dec 14:00
Future Magicians: A welcome return for this very special MagicFest initiative where you get to see tomorrow’s magicians today. We take a group of would-be young magicians and pair them with professional tutors to prepare a special 15-minute magic act – which they then present on stage for you.
- Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Ages: 7+
- Tickets: £12 and £10 concessions
- Date: 29 and 30 Dec
- Time: 14:00
Vincent Gambini: This is not a magic show: What makes magic magic? Is there really a Magic Circle Emergency Hotline for magicians in distress? A critically acclaimed performance of and about sleight-of-hand magic, its invisible mechanics, clichés, and what it tells us about live theatre and make-believe. Vincent Gambini presents astonishing close-up magic that invites us to question how enchantment and wonder are made within a theatrical situation.
- Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
- Duration: 70 minutes
- Ages: 14+
- Tickets: £14, concessions £12
- Date: 27, 28, 29, 30 Dec.
- Time: 16:00
Cameron Gibson and Friends: Edinburgh magician Cameron Gibson presents a fast-paced magic and variety show that will knock your proverbial socks off. From classic sleight of hand to mind-reading and comedy, it has something for everyone. Every show features special guests from the world of magic and variety – so you never quite know what wonders await…
- Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
- Duration: 60 minutes
- Ages: 12+
- Tickets: £14, concessions £12
- Date: 28, 29, 30 Dec.
- Time: 19:45
Richard Wiseman: Mind Magic: Enter the strange world of illusion, magic, and mystery. How do magicians produce objects from thin air and defy gravity? Does the paranormal exist? Join psychologist, best-selling author, and member of the Inner Magic Circle Professor Richard Wiseman as he explores the limits of the human mind. A fun hour for all the family.
- Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
- Duration: 55 minutes
- Ages: 12+
- Tickets: £12, concessions £10
- Date: 28 Dec.
- Time: 14:00
Elliot Bibby: The Best of Bibby: After a complete sell out at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival with the Insane Magic boys, Elliot is back with a solo hour of magic. Bringing the best he has to offer from 10 years of professional shows in this comedy magic extravaganza.
- Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
- Duration: 55 minutes
- Ages: 10+
- Tickets: £14, concessions £12
- Date: 27, 28, 29, 30 Dec.
- Time: 18:00
Tricky Ricky: Festive Funtime : After sell-out performances last year, the Trickster returns with more festive fun and lots of his puns in a show starring Jingles the Reindeer and his mischievous rabbit Sonny the Bunny. Prepare to be amused and amazed in this fast paced and chaotic magic show. It’s cabaret for kids and grown-ups.
- Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
- Duration: 50 minutes
- Ages: 4+
- Tickets: £12, concessions £10
- Date: 29, 30 Dec.
- Times: 10:45 and 12:15
Gary James: Wonderland: A fast-paced family-friendly show with jaw-dropping magic inspired by wide-eyed childhood memories and a career in entertainment. Gary captures the excitement and mystery from his childhood visits to the legendary Lothian Road store called Wonderland. Who’d have thought that family trips to this shop as a child would have inspired a life in entertainment?
- Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre
- Duration: 50 minutes
- Ages: 7+
- Tickets: £12, concessions £10
- Date: 27 Dec.
- Times: 10:45 and 12:15
Gary Dunn: Jokes & Tricks: One of Scotland’s favourite family entertainers returns to MagicFest for another show filled with mad magic and silly jokes.
- Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
- Duration: 50 minutes
- Ages: 5+
- Tickets: £12, concessions £10
- Date: 28 Dec.
- Times: 10:45 and 12:15
Kevin Quantum: Edinburgh Magic: Unlock hidden Edinburgh and enjoy magic that’s fooled the greatest minds associated with the city, from Harry Houdini to King Charles. Amazing moments tied to the secret stories hidden in the cobbles and closes of the capital. Objects float before your eyes, money multiplies, time stands still…
- Venue: Waldorf Astoria: The Caledonian.
- Duration: 70 minutes
- Ages: 12+
- Tickets: £30-£35
- Date: 20 Dec.
- Times: 18:00 and 20:30
Vincent Gambini: Out of Thin Air: Stories about magicians at magic conventions, an attempt at presenting a show in which nothing happens, and magic poems about you, the spectator. Deft sleight of hand, strange poetry, and low-key spectacle.
- Venue: Wonder & Co., 14 Haymarket Terrace
- Duration: 30 minutes
- Ages: 14+
- Tickets: £8, concessions £7
- Dates: 28, 29, 30 Dec.
- Times: 12:00
Richard Wiseman: The World’s Greatest Card Trick and Other Mysteries: The world’s greatest card trick was invented in 1942. It has been performed by many famous magicians, amazed and astounded millions of people, and made Winston Churchill late for Parliament. In this intimate show, a small group of people join magician Professor Richard Wiseman as he reveals the unknown genius behind the trick, demonstrates other jaw dropping mysteries from the mind of this master magician, and celebrates the invention of the impossible.
- Venue: Scottish Storytelling Centre.
- Duration: 40 minutes
- Ages: 12+
- Tickets: £7, concessions £6
- Dates and times: 28 Dec 16:00, 29 Dec 13:00 and 16:00
Cameron Gibson: Street Magic Masterclass: Spend a morning with professional magician Cameron Gibson to gain hands-on experience in simple yet mind-blowing magic that you can do. You will master tricks with everyday objects that you can use to entertain and amaze your friends and family.
- Venue: Wonder & Co., 14 Haymarket Terrace
- Duration: 90 minutes
- Ages: Varies depending on session
- Tickets: £20
- Date: 28 Dec (ages 12-18), 29 Dec (ages 18+), 30 Dec (ages 10+)
- Time: 09:30
Close-Up Magic at The Joker & The Thief: Astonishing close-up magic at The Joker & The Thief pub with resident magician Tim Licata, one of Scotland’s most entertaining sleight-of-hand artists.
- Venue: The Joker & The Thief, Elm Row
- Duration: 120 minutes
- Ages: Strictly 18+
- Tickets: Free – donations welcome
- Date: 28 Dec.
- Time: 20:00
Castle of Light: MagicFest is partnering with Castle of Light, which transforms Edinburgh Castle with magical installations and illuminations. Watch out for some of our astounding tricks and illusions. Venue: Edinburgh Castle.
- Tickets now on sale – Check out the full line up and times, and book tickets at www.magicfest.co.uk.