Tag: ice rink

Santa Claus IS Coming to Town!

Edinburgh’s Christmas Programme Announced

TICKETS GO ON SALE TODAY

All images © Sandy Young Photography Launch of Edinburgh’s Christmas with Santa in and around Princes St. Web: www.scottishphotographer.com Blog: sandyyoungphotography.wordpress.com Mail: sandy@scottishphotographer.com Tel: 07970 268944 ***Credit should read Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com***

UniqueAssembly, the producers for Edinburgh’s festive celebrations, are delighted to unveil the programme of events for Edinburgh’s Christmas, including traditional Christmas Markets, the much-loved Forth 1 Big Wheel and a selection of festive fairground rides, a new Christmas ice rink experience and, of course, the excitement of a visit to Santa.  

Opening on Friday 25 November, Edinburgh’s Christmas is set to have something for everyone with the addition of a series of fun, free festive events as part of the programme including a Nativity Carol Concert on Sunday 27 November and the Santa Fun Run on Sunday 4December.

Penny Dougherty & William Burdett-Coutts, Directors of UniqueAssembly, said: “We are delighted to be bringing Edinburgh’s Christmas to the city for both locals and visitors looking to get into the Christmas spirit.

“We really do have something for everyone with food and drinks, gift inspiration, fairground rides, and of course Santa himself ready to bring the Christmas cheer. We also have a number of free events taking place for everyone to enjoy including the Make a Wish Santa Fun Run – we really want to make it a Christmas to remember!”

Nestled in the heart of Edinburgh’s historic city centre, with stunning views of the city’s iconic skyline, Edinburgh Castle and Scott Monument, East Princes Street Gardens hosts the traditional Christmas Market with around 70 stalls, featuring some of the best local traders alongside their UK and European peers selling everything from bespoke products and gifts to tasty treats.

The top of East Princes Street Gardens will be home to the Forth 1 Big Wheel and a selection of thrill rides.  At West Princes Street Gardens, visitors will find Santa Land, offering the excitement of a Christmas tree maze and a family-friendly funfair as well as an all-new Santa Stories in the Piccolo where children can enjoy a special Christmas tale, told by Santa himself along with some special guest helpers. All children will receive a gift and sittings will also include BSL, relaxed and audio described sessions.

There are even special Santa Paws sessions for the family’s best friend where you can take a pawfect photo with the big man himself.  Santa Paws sessions will see a donation from every ticket supporting a local animal charity. Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to Santa! 

In addition to meeting Santa, children will have the chance to attend the Elf Workshop offering kid’s crafting sessions as well as view the Nativity Mural installation during their visit.

Lord Provost Robert Aldridge from The City of Edinburgh Council, said: “Edinburgh is one of the best places in the world to celebrate Christmas and this programme for 2022 promises a rich and varied programme of festive activities, events and experiences that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors of all ages. We can’t wait to see everyone enjoying it.”

George Street will be home to the spectacular Edinburgh’s Christmas Ice Rink, in partnership with Essential Edinburgh, which this year for the first time will be under cover allowing visitors to enjoy the fun in any weather surrounded by the elegant 18th century architecture. 

Skaters and friends can warm up with a mulled wine or hot chocolate from the winter warming area, enjoy a ride on a vintage funfair ride before enjoying the rest of what George Street has to offer.

Roddy Smith, from Essential Edinburgh, said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations attracts visitors from near and far. We are delighted to once again be supporting the ice rink on George Street and installing the Christmas lights in St Andrew Square, George Street and throughout Edinburgh city centre, highlighting our attractions and all the shops and restaurants both visitors to the city and residents can enjoy during the Festive period!”

Unique Events is also delighted to be back at St Andrew Square, in partnership with Essential Edinburgh, once again illuminating and playing host to Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness, Tree and Gift Donation point.

All images © Sandy Young Photography Launch of Edinburgh’s Christmas with Santa in and around Princes St. Web: www.scottishphotographer.com Blog: sandyyoungphotography.wordpress.com Mail: sandy@scottishphotographer.com Tel: 07970 268944 ***Credit should read Sandy Young/scottishphotographer.com***

Dedicated to spreading festive goodwill to those who need it most, people from all walks of life will be encouraged to help create a moment of kindness.

Donations can also be made to help provide thousands of Christmas dinners and food packs, to help with the distribution of gifts to homeless and vulnerable families, children and individuals or for shelter to those without a roof over their heads this winter.

Open seven days per week from 10am- until late, Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets, Santa Land, Forth 1 Big Wheel, and other festive rides open on the afternoon of Friday 25 November.  The George Street Ice Rink opens on Saturday 26 November.

For full details of all events, and to book tickets visit www.edinburghwinterfestivals.com

It’s beginning to look a lot like … Edinburgh’s Christmas is back!

On behalf of the City of Edinburgh Council, Underbelly announces that tickets for Edinburgh’s Christmas 2021 are now on sale.

–          Tickets on sale for selected rides and attractions.

–          The much-loved ice rink returns, sponsored by Lidl GB and partnered by Essential Edinburgh.

–          East Princes Street will see the return of festive food & drink and the Christmas Market.

–          West Princes Street will include Santa Land, featuring the magical Santa’s Grotto and family friendly attractions.

–          EH postcodes receive 20% discount.

Edinburgh’s Christmas is back and set to bring festive cheer to the heart of the city.

This year we see the return of the city’s much-loved Christmas ice rink, sponsored by Lidl GB and partnered by Essential Edinburgh, in its new home on George Street. The firm favourite will include a first for Edinburgh’s Christmas, skate up festive food and drink offerings alongside family sessions. Lidl on Ice will open on 19 November.

Once again East Princes Street Gardens hosts one the UK’s favourite Christmas Markets. The fantastic festive market will offer a wide range of European and local food, drink and crafts which are bound to get you into the Christmas spirit. 

The Forth 1 Big Wheel will return, alongside the Star Flyer, all against the backdrop of the iconic Edinburgh Castle. 

Edinburgh’s Christmas at East Princes Street Gardens will open on 20 November.

In a first for Edinburgh’s Christmas, those looking to get to the top of the nice list will find the city’s magical Santa’s Grotto in West Princes Street Gardens.

The lower gardens will be transformed into Santa Land featuring family friendly attractions including the Christmas Tree Maze and market stalls, full of festive treats and gifts. 

Santa Land will open on 19 November.

Tickets for Ice Skating, Santa’s Grotto, The Forth 1 Big Wheel and Star Flyer are now available to purchase through the Edinburgh’s Christmas website. Those with an EH postcode receive 20% off their tickets. 

This year, Edinburgh’s Christmas is going contactless and introducing a new ‘tap and ride’ scheme, rather than purchasing tickets from the traditional box office you will be able to purchase your ticket at each ride.

Further additions to the programme include:

Winter Windows will return throughout the city, and this year’s theme is “Connections and Kindness”. 

This special creative project encourages Edinburgh’s young and budding artists to showcase their talents to residents and visitors outside of the classroom. School pupils are invited to design their own stained-glass window to be displayed in our streets and community hubs.

This year’s theme allows Edinburgh’s school children to reflect on the connections made and kindness that they received and gave during the global pandemic.

The Nativity Scene, which this year moves to St Andrew Square. 

The Nativity Carol Concert, organised in conjunction with Edinburgh Churches Together, takes place on 28 November in St Andrew Square.

Following on from the success of the Light Night rainbow installation on the Mound in 2020, Edinburgh’s Christmas is working with Edinburgh based artist Hannah Ayre who will produce a beautiful contemporary art installation, illuminating the Mound with cascading geometric snowflakes.

This installation will sit alongside Edinburgh’s Christmas tree donated by the Hordaland County Council in Norway and will replace the Light Night event. 

The Mound installation will be illuminated from 20 November.

The Neighbourhood Market will return in 2021 and offer free listings for local Edinburgh businesses and attractions to showcase their products. In 2020, 207 local Edinburgh businesses showcased their products on the Edinburgh’s Christmas website.

To make sure Edinburgh’s Christmas is an experience as enjoyable as possible to all, Underbelly is pleased to be offering sensory packs to children and adult visitors with additional needs.

These will be available to hire, free of charge, and will contain a fidget toy, earplugs, water bottle, stress reliever and ear defenders. These items are designed to help users relax in situations they might find stressful.

The sensory packs are designed and kindly provided by the Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society.

Underbelly is meticulously planning Edinburgh’s Christmas with Covid-19 in mind and is dedicated to creating a safe and fun environment for the 2021 Christmas celebrations.

Working closely with the City of Edinburgh Council and Essential Edinburgh, Underbelly has created an unmissable festive programme, helping to boost domestic tourism and reinvigorating Princes Street and the surrounding areas. 

Edinburgh’s Christmas is designed to support economic recovery across the capital, driving footfall to the wider city centre area, bringing some much-needed cheer and happiness to both residents and visitors to Edinburgh.

This year’s festivities will also support Edinburgh’s Social Inclusion charity, the OneCity Trust with donations being taken at point of sale on the Edinburgh’s Christmas website and collection points at bars.

Underbelly Co-Directors, Charlie Wood and Ed Bartlam said: “The Underbelly team has been working tirelessly to create a bespoke Edinburgh’s Christmas programme that not only provides unforgettable memories and experiences, but also makes visitors feel safe and at ease at all times.

“It’s been a very challenging couple of years for everyone but our proposed plans for Christmas are designed to support economic recovery throughout the capital, and to help Edinburgh be together again.”

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive and Director of Essential Edinburgh said: “We’re delighted to be able to partner with Underbelly to restore Edinburgh’s world-renowned festive celebrations for 2021.

“This year’s event has been designed to provide a much-needed boost to local business by supporting footfall throughout the wider city centre, providing more businesses with the chance to reconnect with residents and visitors to our spectacular capital city. 

“We are especially pleased to support the fantastic ice rink on George Street which I am sure will be a great hit with everyone.”

Edinburgh’s Lord Provost and President of the OneCity Trust Frank Ross, said: “The festive season is a very special time for our city and our communities and I’m sure this year’s programme will be warmly welcomed by residents and visitors.

“Whilst the safety of everyone remains a priority it will be fantastic to see people coming together again and enjoying Edinburgh’s Christmas this year where there really is something for everyone.

“Festive favourites like the big wheel and the Christmas market will be back and it’s great that the fun is spread out a bit further this year, with Santa Land in West Princes Street Gardens and a magical festive ice rink at the west end of George Street. It promises to be a cracking Christmas party for everyone to enjoy.” 

Commenting on the partnership with the OneCity Trust, he added: “After months of lockdowns and social distancing, tackling the challenge of social isolation and inequalities has never been more pressing.

“Partnerships such as this with Underbelly and Edinburgh’s Christmas are crucial to our work. Not only will the return of Edinburgh’s Christmas help bring people back together and promote social inclusion, but the money raised will be a vital lifeline for so many community projects across Edinburgh through our main grant funding programme.”

LISTING INFORMATION

Edinburgh’s Christmas 2021
19 November – 4 January

Facebook: EdinburghsChristmas
Instagram: EdinburghsChrsitmas
Twitter: EdXmas
Website (and to subscribe to the Edinburgh’s Christmas newsletter): www.edinburghschristmas.com

Prices start from £6. EH postcodes receive 20% off

Edinburgh’s Christmas, East Princes Street Gardens
20 November – 4 January

Santa Land, West Princes Street Gardens
19 November – 4 January

Lidl on Ice, George Street
19 November – 4 January

Winter Windows around the city centre
19 November – 4 January

Edinburgh’s Christmas Neighbourhood Market Place
20 November – 4 January