The Edinburgh Reporter

Festive favourites

Local events companies to run Edinburgh’s Christmas celebratio­ns

- By PHYLLIS STEPHEN www.edinburghc­hristmasfe­stival.com

EDINBURGH-BASED event producers

Unique Events and Assembly Festival have been appointed by The City of Edinburgh Council to run the Christmas celebratio­ns to ensure that Santa will be coming to town this winter. The company was appointed shortly after the first contractor pulled out.

This year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas celebratio­ns will run from 25 November 2022 to 3 January 2023 - five weeks of seasonal fun in the city centre.

Festive favourites including Edinburgh’s Christmas Wheel, the Traditiona­l Christmas Markets, Ice Rink and Santa Land will be back as well as an all-new Santa Experience and a new programme of free festive events and activities at the Ross Bandstand.

William Burdett-Coutts of Assembly Festival and Penny Dougherty of Unique Events said: “It is our priority to ensure that Edinburgh’s Christmas celebratio­ns return in style for the benefit of the city, our fellow residents and visitors. While we are taking on Edinburgh’s Christmas at very short notice, we fully understand how important these events are for the city and businesses who have already endured difficult times in recent years. Celebratio­ns will definitely include the traditiona­l Christmas Markets, Ice Rink and the Christmas Wheel alongside many of the elements that visitors love about coming to Edinburgh city centre in the winter.”

There will be a new classic Ice Rink and other Christmas attraction­s in George Street, supported by Essential Edinburgh. Santa Claus will be in West Princes Street Gardens at an all-new

Santa Experience.

Traditiona­l Christmas Markets will be in East Princes Street Gardens as usual, with a range of craft and food and drink stalls from near and far, as well as rides and attraction­s, all set against the backdrop of Edinburgh Castle.

Edinburgh’s Christmas Wheel will offer visitors to the city centre thrilling views of the city. Winter Windows, in partnershi­p with City of Edinburgh Council, will illuminate the city centre with original artwork by local school children. The Santa Fun Run returns with participan­ts fundraisin­g for the When You Wish Upon a Star! Children’s Charity.

Roddy Smith, Chief Executive of Essential Edinburgh commented “Edinburgh’s Christmas is a hugely important event for the city centre and all our businesses. Along with our range of enhanced lighting along George Street, Rose Street and in St Andrew Square a highlight is the provision of an ice rink in the westerly block of George Street. This has proved very popular in recent years, and we are looking forward to working with Unique/Assembly to make this happen again to support footfall and visitors during November and December.”

There is a 20% discount for EH residents.

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