opportunity to meet Santa and learn the
importance of giving, as well as receiving a gift of
their own at our Santa’s Stories event. St Andrew
Square will also host a special Postbox & Letter
Writing Station where children will be able to send
their Christmas requests to the North Pole. We’re
proud to be partnering with homelessness charity
Social Bite, who will host their Festival of Kindness
in the Square, including the amazing 10m tall
Kindness Tree and Gift Donation point to help
those in need this winter.WHO WILL FIX ANY DAMAGE TO THE GRASS?
Unique and Assembly each have years of
experience in protecting the ground upon which
our events take place, including use of Princes
Street Gardens and other sensitive city centre sites.
As part of the contract with CEC we pay an
annual reinstatement bond, agreed with the council
based on the level of activity in each of the areas. A
site survey is undertaken with an appropriate
council officer prior to and post the event and
rectification required post event is at our cost.
Where we do use green spaces, we work with the
council Parks Department to design a layout that
minimises risk and avoids damage to grass areas
where possible adhering to the council’s Tree
Protection Plan.
We have mitigation strategies in place to ensure
that minimal damage occurs to the grass. All
mitigation measures are agreed with Parks in
advance including the installation of protective
ground surfaces and the filtering of foot traffic
away from grass and onto hard surfaces.
Post event City of Edinburgh Council Parks and
their appointed contractors are responsible for all
reinstatement works, including reseeding and
re-turfing as required.WHAT ARE YOU MOST LOOKING
FORWARD TO THIS CHRISTMAS?
One of the best things about Christmas in
Edinburgh is how the city transforms. All the
Christmas lights on the trees and on the glorious
architecture the city has. That and the Big Wheel
set against one of those gorgeous red sunsets
we get this time of year. It makes me want to
sup something mulled and open a tin of
Christmas chocolates!We’re excited to be hosting the
man himself, Santa Claus and
some of his very helpful elves
in St Andrew Square this year
Two weekends
of festive fun
and frolics
13
LIGHT
OPENING CONCERT
Saturday 18 NovemberEdinburgh’s Christmas officially kicks off
the festive season with a family-friendly
gala day filled with joy and Christmas spirit
on Saturday 18 November. Gather friends
and family and explore the Festive Family
Funfair by the Ross Fountain; enjoy
performances at the Ross Bandstand; and
soak in the festivities that finish with a
dazzling display of lights. Make a weekend
of it and join in Edinburgh Diwali’s
celebrations the following day.DIWALI FESTIVAL OF LIGHT WITH
EDINBURGH DIWALI
Sunday 19 NovemberFollowing a parade through the city,
Edinburgh Diwali 2023 culminates at the
Ross Bandstand with music and
performances of traditional Indian arts on
Sunday 19 November.
Diwali is the Indian Festival of Light and
is observed by over 1.5 billion people
worldwide. Multi-national and life-
affirming, Diwali celebrates the triumph of
light over darkness, perfect for a long
winter evening.
Edinburgh Diwali brings together folk
dancers from both India and Scotland
for a colourful evening of performance,
finishing with a firework display perfect
for all the family.DANCE
CHRISTMAS SILENT DISCO
Saturday 25 November (Ticketed event)Those silent nights just got a whole lot of
boogie as Silent Adventures bring two very
merry silent discos to West Princes Street
Gardens. Bringing festive cheer to your
ears, Edinburgh’s premier roaming
rhythmic disco tour hosts a family-friendly
and an adults-only Christmas themed silent
disco under the shadow of Edinburgh
Castle. With a playlist of sparkling hits and
Christmas classics, get ready to lose your
inhibitions and jingle all the way with
Edinburgh’s Christmas.ST ANDREW’S OUTDOOR CEILIDH
Sunday 26 November (Free tickets)Christmas and Hogmanay may be the main
attraction in winter, but there’s more than
that to celebrate in Scotland. St Andrews
Day on 30 November is the traditional start
to advent and Edinburgh’s Christmas will
host an outdoor ceilidh in honour of the
patron saint on Sunday 26 November.
Get ready to whirl and burl on the
terrazzo of the Ross Theatre as local
Scottish ceilidh bands lead the dance.
http://www.edinburgh-christmas.comGardens, West Princes Street Gardens, St Andrew
Square and George Street West/Castle Street. One of
the benefits of being so central is how easy it is to
access using public transport from other areas of the
city and for visitors coming from elsewhere. We’re
also working closely with a number of organisations
on partner events, such as Edinburgh Diwali and
Churches Together, and our Winter Festivals
brochure will include events from the city centre to
Corstorphine and beyond. There’s loads to discover
and we hope that visitors will enjoy walking around
each of the different markets and attractions.WHAT WILL BE DIFFERENT THIS YEAR?
Last year our hands were tied with contracts that
had already been signed before we came onto the
event, so this year we’re looking forward to putting
our own stamp on it. We’re keeping people’s
favourite attractions – the Big Wheel and the Ice
Rink are both coming back - but hopefully there’s
lots of little improvements that will add up to a big
difference. The Ice Rink is bigger and with a clear
roof so people can enjoy the architecture of George
Street whilst on the ice, the Festive Family Funfair
will have more rides for all ages, and we’re really
pleased to be working with more local suppliers for
the markets in East Princes Street Gardens and
George Street West/Castle Street.WHAT IS HAPPENING IN ST ANDREW
SQUARE GARDEN?
We’re excited to be hosting the man himself - Santa
Claus - and some of his very helpful elves in St
Andrew Square this year. Children will get theRobin MairRobin MairRobin Mair