Edinburgh reveals plans to stage scaled back winter festivals
Edinburgh’s winter festivals are set to go ahead with a revamped line-up which will see Christmas markets and attractions spread across the city centre and several days of spectacular light shows to mark Hogmanay.
Organiser Underbelly has reached agreement with city council officials to stage a six-week programme of events which will see the Star Flyer and Big Wheel return to Princes Street Gardens, although there will be a ban on markets and bars there to protect the historic park.
Under a contract with the city council thought to be worth £813,000, a “city centre trail” of festive stalls will be spread around the Royal Mile, the Mound Precinct, Castle Street and George Street, which has also been earmarked for a return for the city’s ice rink, after it was excluded from St Andrew Square last year.
Access may be strictly controlled at key sites to ensure social distancing, while the annual fire parade, which starts the Hogmanay festival, will become a static torchlight event honouring the city’s key workers for their efforts during the pandemic.
Along with the council’s funding being kept in place this year, the Scottish Government has agreed to maintain more than £200,000 worth of support for the winter festivals to ensure they can go ahead.
Underbelly was charged with producing a Christmas programme which would “produce a festive celebration for Edinburgh” which would disperse attractions away from Princes Street Gardens while helping to attract people to the city centre to support businesses.
The long-running Hogmanay street party, which has had a capacity of 75,000 in recent years, was called off last month.
However, the arrival of 2021 is set to be marked with what is described as “a series of visually spectacular moments across the city,” which Scottish artists will be working on.
The council said it would be working with other agencies to “discourage unofficial mass gatherings”, such as on Hogmanay, when no big ticketed events will be held.
Under the plans, which are expected to be discussed by councillors next week, Underbelly will try to ensure half of the stallholders are from Edinburgh and the Lothians.
Underbelly director Charlie Wood said: “We have enjoyed working collaboratively to ensure the council’s vision for the winter festivals can become a reality.
“Once agreed by the council, we are confident these will be events the city will be proud of, which will support the community and preserve Edinburgh’s global status as a destination for Christmas and Hogmanay.”