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 Edinburghsaid: “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 Wonderland announces charity partnership with PKAVS

Perth’s newest lighting trail experience invites the community to get festive and give back

10th – 23rd December 2021  

Christmas Wonderland, Perth’s brand-new Christmas-themed lighting trail experience, which has been designed and produced by Scottish based events company, 21CC Group Ltd., has today announced their partnership with PKAVS, a local charity that works tirelessly throughout Perth and Kinross to improve wellbeing, connect communities, and help people to realise their potential. 

The charity partnership will invite the community of Perth to get festive and give back this Christmas, by making either a monetary donation – which will be gifted directly to the charity, who are helping individuals to overcome personal barriers and ensure they have every chance to achieve their goals in life –  or donating a family ticket to PKAVS, upon ticket check out.  

21CC Group Ltd. will also be gifting PKAVS with 100 tickets to the exclusive Christmas Wonderland VIP Launch night as well as supplying a 10% discount code to the charity which will be available for redemption by all PKAVS charity members and associates.  

Paul Graham, PKAVS Chief Executive, PKAVS, said: “We are delighted that the Christmas Wonderland at Perth Riverside has chosen PKAVS as the event’s Charity Partner.

“Since the pandemic, our services have been in more demand than ever. By supporting PKAVS to raise both additional funds and awareness of the vital services we offer, this partnership will allow us to reach even more people in Perth & Kinross with that bit of extra help they need.” 

From 10th to 23rd December, guests are invited to experience Norie Miller Walk at Perth Riverside as never seen before. Festive lighting, enchanting effects and a sparkling atmosphere will transform a winding pathway overlooking the picturesque Perth Riverside creating some unmissable memories for adults and children alike. Santa himself will be there, to welcome and greet everyone who comes.   

Geoff Crow, Managing Director of 21CC Group says: “This has been a really hard year for so many reasons and as a business owner operating in the events sector, I can say that it has most definitely been one of our most challenging for obvious reasons.

“Christmas is such a special time and an opportunity to take stock and reflect. We are really looking forward to bringing this special event to Perth, and hope that this charity partnership will go a long way to supporting those who need it most across the community. Come to Perth and experience the magic of Christmas.” 

Full price tickets start from £10 for adults and £7 for children under 16 on opening night (10th Dec). Children under 3 can also attend for free.

Family ticket bundles allow access for 2 adults and 2 children and are available from £30. The walk will take approximately one hour and tickets will have allocated time slots for guests to arrive.

First entry is at 4 pm and last entry is at 7:30 pm. 

Tickets can be booked online in advance to save disappointment. 

For further information and to purchase tickets, visit:

www.perthchristmaswonderland.co.uk 

Christmas Wonderland launches at Perth Riverside

Brand new Christmas themed lighting trail to dazzle Perth: 2 – 23 December  

This year, for the first time ever, Perth Riverside will play host to Christmas Wonderland, a brand new Christmas-themed lighting trail, providing outdoor festive fun for the whole family.   

Designed and produced by the team at 21CC Group, the glittering lighting trail set across Norie Miller Walk and Rodney Gardens, is a first-of-its-kind event that will light up the faces of kids big and small, surrounding them and the whole family in Christmas cheer. Festive fun for the whole family, not only will you take in some of the most spectacular seasonal sights, but you can also experience first-hand the magic of Perth.  

From 2nd to 23rd December, guests are invited to experience this magical lighting trail as they wander on foot through a one-way, 1km winding pathway overlooking the picturesque Perth Riverside.   

This is Norie Miller Walk and Rodney Gardens as never seen before! Fantastic lighting, festive effects and a sparkling atmosphere all transforming the parks into a wonderful Christmas evening out.

You will find singing trees, hear sleigh bells ringing amongst the snowflakes and many surprises, with candy canes and other delicious delights, all provided by local food vendors who have been invited along just for this special occasion. 

It is Christmas Eve every night at Perth Christmas Wonderland! 

Christmas Wonderland at Perth Riverside – we ho-ho-hope to see you soon! 

Tickets start from £13 for adults and £8 for children under 16. Children under 3 can also attend for free. Family ticket bundles which allow access for 2 adults and 2 children and are available from £36.

On 18th December and thereafter, adult tickets are £14, child tickets are £9 and family tickets are £40. 

The walk will take approximately one-hour and tickets will have allocated time slots for guests to arrive in. First entry is at 4pm and last entry is at 8:15pm. No re-entry once leaving the trail.Tickets must be booked online in advance. 

Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group says: “We are incredibly excited to bring the first ever Christmas Wonderland to Perth this year. Following almost two years of uncertainty caused by the pandemic, we are excited to be bringing a COVID safe and festive experience to the citizens of Perth.

“The lighting trail really showcases Perth in all its beauty and with plenty of surprises, hiding elves and delicious treats to look forward to, we are sure that the Christmas Wonderland will get the entire family feeling festive in no time!” 

For further information and to purchase tickets, visit:  www.perthchristmaswonderland.co.uk 

You can also find us on:  

Instagram: www.instagram.com/perthchristmaswonderland/ 

Facebook: www.facebook.com/perthchristmaswonderland 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/PerthXmas_WL 

Light Fantastic: Wondrous Woods open at Hopetoun House

SCOTLAND’S FIRST LIGHTING TRAIL OF 2020 OPENS AT HOPETOUN HOUSE

October 21st – November 15th

Designed and produced by the team at 21CC Group and set in the magnificent grounds of Hopetoun House, Scotland’s finest stately home, the gates opened for Scotland’s first lighting trail of the year on Tuesday, welcoming guests to enjoy what has since been described as an ‘unforgettable sound, lighting and effects extravaganza’.

Starting and finishing at the House, the beautifully lit 2km woodland trail begins through the enchanting wrought iron gates to the north, leading visitors to unique and unseen areas of the grounds of Hopetoun.

The track winds through hidden pathways amongst ancient woodlands, clearings and past the old summerhouse before leading visitors back via the Lime Avenue, but not before seeing the magnificent Hopetoun House lit up in all its glory; all with some special, jaw dropping views along the way. 

Along with the creative lighting, there are a number of sound and special effects, movement and installations, all of which enhance the nature and natural beauty that is the Wondrous Woods of Hopetoun House.

Geoff Crow, Director of 21CC Group says, “The Hopetoun trails offer us a spectacular environment, really like no other, with a fantastic amount of ground space which allows us to safely deliver this creative lighting journey, ensuring that we are adhering to the strictest of safety guidelines.

“It has been an absolute joy to work with one of Scotland’s best known visitor attractions to bring our vision to life and create something truly special for our guests.”

21CC Group have worked extensively with the Hopetoun team for many years, collaborating with them for the delivery of the highly successful Hopetoun Fireworks & Bonfire event, as well as the delivery of multiple large scale corporate events both within the House and the grounds.

The Earl of Hopetoun comments: “We are delighted to be the venue for the inaugural Wondrous Woods; it is thrilling for me to see the grounds come to life after dark with all the creative lighting and effects that are planned.

“This is the first time we have hosted such an ambitious event at night and it’s hugely exciting, following such a difficult year for us all, to develop something so different for Hopetoun. We look forward to welcoming you back here to see something unique.”

21CC Group are a Scottish based events group based outside Edinburgh, established in 1999. They produce events around the country for corporate groups, festivals, local authorities, and private clients.

Tickets on sale now at See Tickets:

https://wondrouswoods.seetickets.com/tour/wondrous-woods

Event website:https://www.wondrouswoods.com/

Pictures: Rankine Photography