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.