Christmas starts in Edinburgh on November 26
With the festive season fast approaching, Edinburgh’s Christmas is gearing up for a bigger, better and more exciting programme than ever before. In addition to the much loved ice rink, giant wheel and fairground, the city will come alive in an explosion of light, colour and sound with dancing fountains, a massive snow globe, balletic acrobatic displays performed inside a giant inflatable dome and appearances from electroglide angels and an extraordinarily realistic life size animatronic polar bear.
EDINBURGH’S CHRISTMAS – EVENTS LISTINGS
Edinburgh’s Christmas 2009 kicks off at 10am on Thursday 26 November. All new and existing attractions will be open all day launching this year’s extensive festive programme.
Edinburgh’s Christmas Markets
Traditional German Christmas Market
- Mound precinct
- Thursday 26 November – Thursday 24 December
- Open 10am everyday
Traditional Highland Village Christmas Market
- East Princes Street Gardens
- Thursday 26 November – Monday 4 January
- Open 10am everyday;
- Christmas Day – Closed; Boxing Day 11am; New Year’s Day 12pm
The Ethical Christmas Fair
- Castle Street
- Saturday 12 December – Sunday 20 December, Opening times 10am - 7pm daily (except Sunday, 10am - 5pm)
Edinburgh’s Farmers Markets
- Castle Terrace
- Every Saturday, 9am – 2pm (except 26 Dec, 2 Jan)
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland Ice Rink & Bungy Snowdome
- East Princes Street Gardens
- Thursday 26 November – Monday 4 January
- Open 10am every day
- Except Christmas Day – Closed; Boxing Day 11am; New Year’s Day 12pm
The Edinburgh Wheel & Christmas Fair (Flying Carousel, Carousel, Helter Skelter & Kids’ Fair)
• Princes Street Gardens, by the Scott Monument
• Open 10am every day except Xmas day – Closed
NEW FOR 2009
Sparkle into Christmas is the four day extravaganza launching this year’s Christmas programme.
• Princes Street
• Thursday 26 November – Saturday 28 November
• From 10am every day
The Edinburgh Sparkles Fountains – Every 15 minutes
Bursting into action every fifteen minutes with movement and light synchronised to music - a stunning spectacle to literally bring Princes Street to life.
The Edinburgh Sparkles Snow Globe
Get yourself in the picture with this totally snow-tastic giant snow globe. With snow swirling around inside, you can throw some snowballs and have your memento picture taken in the coolest place in town.
Forth One Live Broadcast between 10am and 2pm
A real treat for music fans when the popular Forth One will broadcast their mid-morning show live from Princes Street on the first morning of Edinburgh’s Christmas.
26 November only
A Bear Called Bjorn – performances at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm
Beautiful animated life-size puppetry brings to life Bjorn the polar bear with realistic sounds and movements. This is a show to amaze children and adults of all ages.
Big Rory – performances at 11am, 2pm, 6pm
The ever popular Big Rory, our favourite 10ft high Scotsman, will be stepping out to do a bit of Christmas shopping and keeping up the festive cheer on the streets.
Lost Elves – performances at 10am, 12pm, 4pm
Two cheery chaps with their own reindeer and some witty banter will be wandering around the streets looking for Santa and the way back home.
Lighting Edinburgh’s Norwegian Christmas Tree – 5.15pm
- The Mound
Norwegian Carol Concert – 7pm
- St Giles’ Cathedral
27 November only
Enchanted Snow Globe – Tumbellina – performances at 2pm, 4pm, 6pm
This beautiful and romantic performance of snow, light and dance takes place within a giant snow globe on Princes Street – a stunning performance by professional dancers.
Hark! – performances at 1pm, 3pm, 5pm
These Angels have been wowing audiences wherever they go and they really are the perfect Christmas act. With beautiful movement, fully illuminated costumes and absurd humour, The Angels Dave, Jeff, Lee and Wayne make any event unforgettable.
Saturday 28 November only
Homecoming 2009 Art Car Parade
- 3pm on display at Parliament Square
- 5pm depart 5.40pm (approx) arrival at St Andrew Square Garden
A first for Scotland, this electrifying spectacle will feature illuminated customised vehicles of all shapes and sizes being pushed, pedalled and driven from the Royal Mile to St Andrews Square Gardens.
Sunday 29 November only - Nativity Carol Concert
- St Andrew Square Gardens
- 4pm lasting approx 40 minutes
Nativity Scene
- St Andrew Square Gardens
- Sunday 29 November – Monday 4 January
And it wouldn’t be Christmas without Santa!
Santa’s Gardens
This year the gardens will open from 10am on 12 December in readiness for Santa’s arrival in the evening after the Lantern Parade. After that the gardens are open every day, with regular visits from our favourite bearded friend.
- West Princes Street Gardens
- 12 December-23 December, 10am-6pm
- Daily visits from Santa 1pm and 4pm from 13 December.
The popular Igloo Café will operate daily.
Royal Blind Children’s Lantern Parade – Free Event
- Ross Bandstand
- 12 December, Gather 3.30pm, parade leaves 4.30pm
- In support of Royal Blind and its ongoing work to Light up Lives
New this year is a delightful opportunity for children to welcome Santa with an atmospheric and illuminating Lantern Parade. Starting at the Ross Bandstand, the parade includes children from Edinburgh’s schools who have created their special lanterns.
The Lantern Parade is free to watch or you can come and collect a glow stick to take part. The event is in support of Royal Blind and its ongoing work to Light up Lives - royalblind.org.
Additional entertainment on the day:
Balloonatic
These mischievous elves decorate people with incredible hats, giant costumes and make hilarious balloon toys that get everyone laughing. They are a charming and wonderful balloon-art act that will help transform any event into a bright and exciting place to be.
Hoop La La – Santas Spectacular
A hoop extravaganza perfectly themed for Christmas celebrations, the trio perform their amazing acro-balance and hula hoop act with classic Christmas songs, many original moves and comic touches. A high-energy, technically skilled, tongue-in-cheek number performed in cheeky Santa costumes.
The Great Scottish Santa Run
- West Princes Street Gardens
- Sunday 13 December 11am, registration opens from 10am
- Charities - When You Wish Upon a Star and Radio Forth’s Cash for Kids
