Tag: Christmas at The Botanics

Local Edinburgh artist set to dazzle with new Christmas at the Botanics installation

With only 77 sleeps until the opening of Christmas at the Botanics, fans of seasonal festivities can look forward to a host of new and spectacular botanical-themed installations which will create this year’s awe-inspiring after-dark experience at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

Running from 16 November to 30 December, Christmas at the Botanics will once again transform the Garden with a reimagined trail featuring new installations created by artists both local to Edinburgh and from around the world.

The latest new installations confirmed for the 2023 trail include:

  • Dragonflies will appear to defy gravity as they are suspended over the serene Botanic Pond. This installation of six dragonflies measuring almost two metres in length has been created by local artist, Martha Ellis, who has a studio in Edinburgh. Martha’s work takes inspiration from pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
  • Fire Dancers will be part of this year’s Fire Garden and has been created by artist Maria Hingerty, previously associate director ofThe World Famous, one of the leading firework and pyrotechnic performance companies in the world. This unique installation takesinspiration from Maria’s own joyful memories of celebratory gatherings, representing the ideas of unity and hope that are associated with the festive period.

Also new for 2023 is the introduction of off-peak tickets. Available on selected evenings in November and December, these tickets enable visitors to make savings on their ticket purchase.

All the new and returning installations along the one-mile illuminated trail are low in energy and have been selected to complement the Botanics’ environment. 

Simon Milne, the Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “This year’s transformed Christmas at the Botanics trail promises our visitors a new and impressive nocturnal Garden exploration and will be a fabulous festive outing for friends and families. I am very proud of our team’s artistic and fun creations that bring together Christmas, plants, light, and creativity.

“The introduction of off-peak tickets will enable more people to join us this year, and it is important to note that all profits from Christmas at the Botanics will help advance our national and international plant research, conservation, and education programmes.”

Tickets for this year’s show are on sale. For further ticket information, pricing, and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance to guarantee their preferred timeslot.

Christmas at the Botanics is one of nine illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

The 2022 trail at the Botanics attracted its biggest audience, welcoming more than 95,000 visitors over its six-week run.

For more details visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.

Get into the festive spirit at Christmas at the Botanics

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh opened its gates to ‘Christmas at the Botanics’ this evening, Thursday 17 November, with an awe-inspiring trail of new installations.  

The Garden, full of Christmas cheer, is inviting the people of Edinburgh, Scotland and beyond to embrace the festive season and to support the trail. A visit to the magical, botanical illuminated trail is a way of helping to fund the Garden’s important plant conservation work. 

Director of Enterprise and Communication at the Garden, Kari Coghill said: “Christmas at the Botanics has increased in popularity each year and has become one of the city’s most popular festive traditions. Its opening is a milestone moment in the capital’s festive calendar that kicks off the holiday season feeling for so many people.  

“Bringing new installations to the trail is exciting and we are also bringing back much-loved favourites this year too, such as the light projection on the front of Inverleith House and the ‘Christmas Cathedral’, a tunnel of sparkling lights which has provided so many fantastic Christmas images for visitors in recent years. 

“Visitors to the light trail contribute directly to our wider work because our profits from ticket sales support the Garden’s plant research and conservation efforts in Scotland and around the world.” 

New Installations: 

·               Lilies by Jigantics, 12 one-metre high LED illuminated lilies floating on the Botanics Pond. 

·               Aurora by Ithaca, recreating the famed visual tones of the stunning Aurora Borealis. 

·               Christmas Gifts by Woody Fox, 14 giant wicker sculptures of Christmas presents. 

·               Feathers by Pyrite Creative, a display of UV feathers up to two metres in length which appear to float in the trees. 

·               Floraison by French artistic collective Pitaya features 240-red-lit flowers. 

·               Edison Trees includes 60 reproductions of the filament bulbs made popular by London’s historic Edison Electric Light Company at the turn of the century. 

This year’s trail is more twinkly than ever but has been created with sustainability in mind. The installations are low in energy usage, over 90% of the trail is LED, and are lit by the Garden’s main power supply to remove the need for generators.

Continuous lighting of trails and paths has been avoided and audience area lighting is only used where it is necessary for public safety.    

Kari Coghill added: “Part of the joy of the trail is that it is a chance to be in the Botanics after dark and to experience the Garden from a whole new perspective.

Our trail designers have been appointed on the strength of their experience of working in environmentally sensitive ways in heritage and landscape settings. This year’s trail is the best yet.” 

The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a world-leading scientific organisation, a globally important resource, and a charity funded by the Scottish Government and by visitor income. Visitors to the trail contribute to the Garden’s wider work which addresses biodiversity loss and the impact of the climate crisis. 

Christmas at the Botanics is one of 14 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.  

Jonathan Marks, Director at Raymond Gubbay, the division of Sony Music which is promoting the event, said: “It is always exciting to open Christmas at the Botanics. 

“The trail attracted over 90,000 visitors during its five-week run last year and we hope that this year’s trail will inspire even more people to come and enjoy the trail, a festive tradition for so many.  Everyone involved in the production has worked hard to provide a special experience for all who attend as they explore installations old and new.”  

Tickets for this year’s show are available to buy. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.

Visitors are encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment.  The trail runs for 37 nights on selected evenings from 17 November to 30 December 2022.  

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram. 

Christmas is back at the Botanics – and it’s brighter than ever!

New Christmas surprises unveiled on the festive trail 

Christmas at the Botanics opened today [25 November] unveiling brand new sparkling light installations that will be sure to enhance the festive cheer. 

Returning for its fifth year, the shimmering trail is set to be better and brighter than ever, bringing in more stunning installations and surprising us with a new festive finale. 

Attendees must book their tickets online in advance of their visit and enter the trail during their  allocated time slot. A one-way trail route is in place and tickets are contactless to ensure safety  measures are in place. 

Showcasing a dazzling display of lights, music and projections, the one mile long after-dark  spectacular will also welcome back some of the Garden’s favourite installation, including ‘Christmas  Cathedral’ and ‘Fire Garden’.

A new finale for 2021, ready to create a glittering spectacular display, is ‘Sea of Light’ – which is set  to impress guests with an enthralling mix of sound and light technology from award-winning company ITHACA.

Used by Coldplay during their Glastonbury 2021 performance, the display cascades across the Garden’s landscape like glittering waves. 

Visitors can stroll through an enchanting forest with the brand new installation ‘Fireflies in the  Woods’. Produced by Electric Foundry, 100 points of LED lights tangle through the trees above,  creating a twinkling hidden wonderland. 

Rest assured your umbrella won’t be needed for this display: ‘Digital Rain’ by Bespoke lighting and  video is an immersive installation of LED lights that ‘rain’ down on guests below to create a  shimmering shower that is bound to dazzle! 

Rounding off the new installations of 2021’s Christmas spectacular is ‘Aquastell’ by PITAYA, which  has large looping arches with beams of light flashing along, like shooting stars across the sky. 

This year, there will continue to be health and safety measures in place to ensure that visitors follow  Scottish Government guidance on Covid-19 so everyone can enjoy their experience.

Reduced  capacity of attendees, a one-way system, a request to make space for others and the mandatory  wearing of face coverings in indoor areas. These measures will be monitored and visitors kept  informed of any changes to guidance during the run.

Kari Coghill, Director of Enterprise and Communication at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “This year’s trail is one of the most spectacular yet.  We are really looking forward to welcom ing visitors to the Garden over the coming weeks.

“Those who attend directly contribute to our wider  work, with profits from ticket sales helping to support our vital research and conservation efforts in  Scotland and around the world. At a time when the impact of the climate on biodiversity is high on  the agenda globally, our work is more important than ever.” 

Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which  promotes the trail, added: “Christmas at the Botanics is a huge draw within the Capital’s festive cal endar.

“We are extremely pleased with the breadth of artists and installations that are part of this  year’s trail and I am sure that the experience will be as magical as ever.”

Christmas at the Botanics runs for 32 nights on selected dates from 25 November – 2 January.  Tickets are on sale from www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.  

Tickets prices range from:  Adult £20, Member £17, Child (4-16) £14, Family £66 and carers and children under 4 go free. 

See booking website for calendar, prices and all ticket information. All tickets are subject to a single  transaction charge.

Christmas at the Botanics unveils more surprises for festive trail

The winter spectacle, Christmas at the Botanics, has confirmed more installations for this year’s trail when it opens on 25th November, including a new festive finale.  

Running for 32 nights at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, friends and family will be able to come together to explore 15 dazzling installations along the one-mile route and experience the outdoor twilight trail.   

The latest installations confirmed for this year include Digital Rain, Fireflies in the Wood and the cascading Sea of Light (above) which will feature as the festive finale:  

  • Digital Rain – is an immersive installation by Bespoke Lighting and Video, featuring LED pixels that ‘rain down’ on those below to create a shimmering shower of light.  
  • Fireflies in the Woods – is an enchanting installation from Electric Foundry, containing 100 points of light that twist through the tress to create a magical woodland wonderland.  
  • Sea of Light – brings an enthralling mix of sound and light technology, from award-winning company ITHACA, that flows across the landscape in spectacular, glittering waves.  

To meet current Scottish Government guidelines, reduced capacities and a one-way system will be in place for the comfort of visitors coming together to celebrate the festive season. Health and safety measures, in place to protect visitors, will be monitored throughout the run. 

Simon Milne, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “This year’s trail promises the arrival of new, exciting and atmospheric installations enabling visitors to enjoy the Garden landscape in a completely different way.   

“As we begin our landmark restoration programme, Edinburgh Biomes, we greatly appreciate the contribution that the trail makes to funding our plant research and conservation projects. By coming to the trail, visitors help to support our important work in Scotland and around the world. 

“I look forward to welcoming visitors from within the capital, Scotland, the UK and overseas to the Garden to experience this magical moment in Edinburgh’s festive calendar.” 

Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the event, added: “This year’s easing of restrictions will allow more people within Edinburgh and beyond to safely visit this enchanting spectacle.

“We are excited to welcome new artists and a brand-new festive finale that is bound to impress. There is so much to look forward to and we can’t wait for people to visit this magical winter experience.”  

Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.

A timed entry system will remain for the trail this year with visitors encouraged to book now to avoid disappointment.  

Christmas at the Botanics is one of 15 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and the trail is created by Culture Creative.   

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram. 

Let there be light!

Christmas at the Botanics returns for 2021

Christmas at the Botanics – the botanical festive spectacle – will once again take up residence at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh this winter.

The one-mile after-dark illuminated trail will run from 25 November to 2 January (selected evenings only) featuring a series of new installations. 

The first installations confirmed for 2021 include Meadow of Light, a newly designed Fire Garden and a shimmering Field of Light.

  • Meadow of Light is an enchanting installation featuring thousands of fibre optic lights covering the ground which when caught by a breeze will mesmerize all who pass by.
  • Fire Garden returns to bring serenity and calm and is themed around pinecones this year to reflect seasonality and the environment.
  • Field of Light is an exciting light show containing hundreds of LED light strands set across the ground that shoot up the surrounding trees, creating a dazzling display.

As ever, the trail will feature the eye-catching Cathedral of Light and the Festive Finale projection at Inverleith House which has a new narrative for 2021.

Despite restrictions in place in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the trail attracted over 66,000 visitors during its five-week run.  With the current easing of restrictions, should these continue into the winter months, it is hoped that more people than ever before will be able to attend and experience the spectacle under the stars.

Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, Simon Milne said: “While the summer solstice may only be around the corner, planning is in full swing for our popular Christmas event. I am so pleased to announce the return of Christmas at the Botanics, a highlight of Scotland’s winter.

“Last year, more people from the city than ever before visited the event where they enjoyed a magical light show set within one of the world’s greatest plant collections. The benefits of Christmas at the Botanics go beyond the festive season as ticket sales help to maintain the garden and continue our work in plant research, conservation and education.

“This year, we look forward to even more people from across Scotland and beyond celebrating Christmas at the Botanics and experiencing a new and exciting light trail.

“At a time when the role of botanic gardens has never been more important to society – on a global scale – this event provides us with a wonderful opportunity to engage new audiences with the work we do to for nature, human health and a sustainable economy.

“Health and safety is at the forefront of our minds in planning the trail, and we will continue to have measures in place to ensure all visitors feel comfortable and to enjoy the trail safely.”

Jonathan Marks, Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the event, added: “Christmas is a time of joy and restrictions allowing, we can’t wait to be able to extend an invitation to Christmas at the Botanics to everyone from Edinburgh and beyond.

“With new and popular returning installations, we’re aiming for the 2021 trail to be brighter than ever. We are also now able to accommodate larger groups and so we hope that more people can come to enjoy the magnificent experience.”

Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.

A timed entry system will remain in 2021 with visitors encouraged to book now to avoid disappointment.

Christmas at the Botanics is one of 15 illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.

Christmas at the Botanics opens today

Christmas cheer set to be sprinkled across the capital to close 2020 on a high

Christmas at the Botanics opens today [2 December] unveiling a series of magical light installations inspired by all things Christmas.

Bringing much-needed merriment to round off a tough year for all, the twinkling trail will be one of the few festive activities happening in the capital this year thanks to its outdoor setting and a series of stringent health and safety measures to protect visitors.

These include regulated entry time slots, limited capacities, reduced dwell times, contactless ticket scanning and a one-way trail route. 

Attendees must book their tickets online in advance of their visit and follow the lasted Scottish Government restrictions on travel and meeting others.

Delivering a dazzling display of lights, projections and lasers, the one mile long after-dark extravaganza will welcome back some of the Garden’s most popular installations including the Cathedral of Light and Laser Garden.

For those who are on his ‘good’ list this year, Santa Claus will make an appearance outside on the trail to greet visitors at a distance, while several new installations include a projected light show on the Garden’s modernist Front Range Glasshouses and Starfield – a display of 20 giant LED twinkling stars – are also set to be firm favourites for 2020. 

In line with Scotland’s new Covid-19 local protection levels and travel restrictions, this year the trail’s success is dependent on support from the residents of the City of Edinburgh local authority area.  

Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “We are calling on the people of Edinburgh to show their support by visiting Christmas at the Botanics.

“By coming to the trail not only will visitors enjoy a wonderful festive experience but also help us and our work enormously. Profits from the trail go to help finance our important and innovative plant research and conservation programmes in Scotland and around the world. 

“Never has our work been more crucial as we face the interrelated challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, biodiversity loss and climate change. This has been a hugely difficult year for us all. At the Botanics, we want to end the year by creating something very special for the City and we hope everyone will come and enjoy some festive fun.”

The 2019 trail welcomed 76,000 visitors during its five-week run – and the 2020 event promises to be equally as popular.

Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the event, added: “Christmas at the Botanics has established itself as a truly uplifting experience that helps the capital kick off the festive season in style, and it’s never been more needed than in 2020.

“A lot of work has gone into making the trail Covid-safe so that our customers can visit with confidence.  I am thrilled that the team has made it happen. The fusion of the beautiful natural setting of the Garden combined with the striking, modern art created by the lights provides a deeply atmospheric and magical setting and we can’t wait for visitors to experience it for themselves.”

Due to Covid-19 ALL tickets must be pre-booked for the trail in advance online. For ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit the website below and follow @mychristmastrails #ChristmasAtTheBotanics

https://christmasatthebotanics.seetickets.com/timeslots/christmas-at-the-botanics/

Christmas at the Botanics is one of seven illuminated trails by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music, in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden, Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

More information on the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh health and safety measures can be accessed here: https://www.rbge.org.uk/visit/visiting-us-during-covid-19/

PICTURES: Phil Wilkinson

Botanics Light trail now set to open on 2 December

Botanics calls for support from Edinburgh residents

The organisers of Christmas at the Botanics have announced a rescheduled opening date of Edinburgh’s festive illuminated trail.  Due to begin on 26 November, the trail will now start on 2 December 2020 and continue for 28 nights on selected evenings until 3 January 2021.

The decision to delay the opening of Christmas at the Botanics has been made to enable additional refinements to the trail’s health and safety guidance in line with Scotland’s new Covid-19 local protection levels which are being regularly reviewed and updated by the Scottish Government.

Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the trail, commented: “The health and safety of visitors and our trail staff remain a top priority and we will continue to monitor and respond to Scottish Government guidelines as they are reviewed and amended. 

“In this ever-changing situation, delays have been inevitable.  This has impacted on the time required to build the trail.  It takes hours of precision and expertise to install, and for the artists and production team to create an amazing light experience.  The teams are working tremendously hard to facilitate the opening of the trail without further delay, created with safety in mind.”

This year, now more than ever before, the trail’s success is dependent on support from the residents of the City of Edinburgh local authority area.  

Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper of Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh said: “We are calling on the people of Edinburgh to show their support by visiting Christmas at the Botanics.

“By coming to the trail not only will visitors enjoy a wonderful festive experience but also help us and our work enormously.  Profits from the trail go to help finance our important and innovative plant research and conservation programmes in Scotland and around the world.  Never has our work been more crucial as we face the interrelated challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, biodiversity loss and climate change.

“This has been a hugely difficult year for us all.  At the Botanics, we want to end the year by creating something very special for the City and we hope everyone will come and enjoy some festive fun.”

More information on the trail can be found at rbge.org.uk/christmas.

The website also contains information for those people who held tickets between 26 November and 1 December with an option to transfer a ticket to another date, request a refund or option to donate the cost of the ticket to the Botanics which will help to support the vital research and conservation that the charity provides.

Christmas at the Botanics sprinkles more magic on festive season

  • Festive light spectacular confirms new installations for 2020
  • Botanics will host NHS workers in gratitude for work throughout Covid-19 pandemic

With just a month until Christmas at the Botanics opens, the team behind one of Edinburgh’s festive favourites has confirmed new installations that will feature in the 2020 trail.

Over the 32-night run, visitors to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh can once again embark on an extraordinary night-time adventure, following a trail of glimmering lights and sparkling illuminations.

In tribute to the hard work and dedication of Scotland’s NHS staff, the Botanics will this year invite 200 Blue Light card holders to mark the opening of the much loved trail, which has become a seasonal staple and source of joy for many across the capital and beyond.

With glittering trees aplenty – many reaching tens of metres high – visitors will be able to weave through the enchanting displays and enjoy over 900m of illuminated garlands, the Cathedral of Light and Laser Garden, as well as this year’s myriad of new and spellbinding installations for a night filled with botanical and festive wonders.

New for 2020, and helping share a generous sprinkling of seasonal cheer, is ‘Starfield’ – which is set to wow guests with a display of 20 giant LED twinkling stars. Produced by audio-visual designers ArtAV – who created an interactive floor projection at the 2019 trail – Starfield will be the first stop for those looking for that magical moment or the perfect Instagram snap.

In keeping with this year’s ‘star’ theme, visitors can marvel upon brand-new installation, ‘Constellations’, a dazzling arrangement of six constellations – Orion, the Big Dipper, Pegasus, Cassiopeia, Little Bear and Aquila – made using 60 perfectly placed glowing stars.

Also added to this year’s winter speculator is ‘Cyclamens’ – an installation created by Liverpool Lantern Company – which has recreated the tuberous perennial in 30 three-metre-high bright blooms.

Rounding off the new installations for 2020’s festive extravaganza is ‘21 Diamonds’ which will beam a breath-taking lightshow onto the Botanics’ iconic 1960s Glasshouses. Designed by Edinburgh-based Lightworks, the new attraction will enable visitors to see the invaluable Glasshouses – home to the Botanics’ indoor Living Collection of plants – in a completely new light.

Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “The opening of Christmas at the Botanics is always a highlight in our calendar at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, but never more so than this year.

“It not only forms an important part of our 350th anniversary celebrations but presents an opportunity for some much need festivity as we near the end of a difficult year for everyone. A year which has intensified the interdependencies of the health of people and the health of the environment.

“The festive trail not only helps us showcase and accentuate botanical diversity, but it also reinforces the beauty of nature and the importance of conservation in the race against time against the growing impact of the climate emergency and biodiversity crisis.”

Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes Christmas at the Botanics, added: “This year hasn’t been easy and, as one of a handful of festive celebrations able to still be held in Edinburgh, it is great to be able to provide some light relief and share seasonal cheer.

“We want to keep the festive spirit alive in Edinburgh, and we’re pleased to be able to return with a host of festive family favourites and world-first installations that will make for a truly magical night.”

Book your tickets online by visiting www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.

Christmas at the Botanics is one of seven illuminated trails produced by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is held in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.

Christmas at the Botanics returns to bring cheer to the Capital

Record run for popular winter event

Christmas at the Botanics – the magical and botanical illuminated trail – is returning in 2020 for its longest run ever.

Now in its fourth consecutive year, the event will be held over a record 32-nights from 26 November to 3 January within the stunning setting of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (selected evenings only).

The trail promises to round off 2020 on a high and bring cheer into 2021 as it delivers a dazzling display of lights, projections and lasers that will surprise and delight those who attend.     

The one mile long after-dark extravaganza will welcome back some of the most popular festive installations including the Cathedral of Light and Laser Garden, as well as an appearance by Santa Claus and the festive finale which will be projected onto Inverleith House. 

As ever, the trail will also feature several new installations with new attractions including a projected light show on the 128 metre long modernist Front Range Glasshouses and Starfield – a large-scale installation of white LED twinkling stars by audio-visual designers Art AV.

Now a centrepiece of Edinburgh’s festive calendar, Christmas at the Botanics will form the pièce de résistance on the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s 350th anniversary year. 

The event also looks to welcome back devotees of the Garden who were not able to visit when the Garden was temporarily closed because of Covid-19. 

The 2019 event welcomed 76,000 visitors during its five-week run – and the 2020 event promises to be as popular to those from Edinburgh and beyond.

Simon Milne MBE, Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “Having experienced the closure of our four Gardens for several weeks as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, it is more important than ever that we open for Christmas at the Botanics and I hope that all who attend will benefit from the festive cheer it brings.

“This year’s event is even more special as it forms part of our 350th anniversary celebrations which have been significantly impacted by the lockdown. The work of the Botanics has never been more important globally in protecting the environment, human lives and economies. By coming to our event, visitors will play a vital role in funding plant research and conservation.

“We want to reassure all those planning to attend that we will have new health and safety measures in place to protect visitors. While this might mean that one or two of our installations may change this year, rest assured we want everyone who comes to the trail to enjoy their visit safely – whether this is their first time or if they have attended before.”

Jonathan Marks, Chief Development Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the event, added: “Christmas at the Botanics has established itself as a truly uplifting event that helps to set the tone for the festive season in Edinburgh.

“We are delighted to return to the spectacular backdrop that is the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh. We’ll welcome back some of the most loved installations as well as keeping the anticipation of the after-dark spectacle high with the introduction of some new and exciting exhibits. We can’t wait for visitors to see what we have in store for them this year.”

Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.

Christmas at the Botanics is one of seven illuminated trails brought to you by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is held in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative.

For more details visit https://mychristmastrails.co.uk/ and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.