Edinburgh Christmas
A LITTLE MAGIC FOR CHRISTMAS
Edinburgh's Capital Christmas is a festival of seasonal fun for all the family and as Gary Flockhart finds out even Santa will be helping spread the festive magic.
Edinburgh has long been viewed as a city bubbling with activity. With a staggering array of festivals it has earned its place as one of Europe's most culturally rewarding cities.
It's no surprise, then, that Edinburgh should incorporate Christmas into its calendar of events, strengthening its reputation as an all year round visitor attraction.
This year Scotland's capital is to merge its world renowned Hogmanay celebrations with traditional and unique Christmas events to form the world's largest winter festival.
Promising five weeks of festive fun, Edinburgh's Capital Christmas aims to deliver top quality seasonal entertainment for both city residents and visitors alike.
With a host of fabulous fun filled events for the entire family, this year's proceedings are to feature many exciting new additions to last year's programme.
Highlights include an extravagant parade, ice caves, fireworks, international street theatre and the traditional switching on of the Christmas lights.
The fun begins on 22 November with the official opening of the Traditional German Market in Princes Street Gardens and the switching on of the lights along Princes Street.
This year's Traditional German Market promises to be bigger and better than ever, with traditional foods, drinks and gifts.
The Mound is the place to be on 29 November for the Illuminating Of The Christmas Tree - an annual gift to Edinburgh from the Mayor of Hordaland in Norway.
The Grand Fantastical Christmas Parade, on 2 December, promises to captivate crowds as it works it way along Princes Street to a grand finale at Festival Square.
Offering a bird's eye view of the city's illuminations is the UK's highest Ferris wheel, the Edinburgh Wheel, while an outdoor ice rink features a toboggan run.
There will be a weekend of street theatre by acclaimed French company Plasticiens Volant, who present their new show "Simurgh: The Enchanted Kingdom".
The show sees the High Street transformed into an enchanted kingdom, with giant inflatable birds swooping high above the crowds as they tell their story. The birds will be accompanied by live music and pyrotechnics.
A special fundraising event is to be held in support of the Give A Little Magic Appeal on 12 December, aimed at raising money for three nominated charities.
Give Us A Laugh, at the Queens Hall, promises top entertainment with a host of comedy talent present, including Johnny Vegas and Lynn Ferguson.
On top of Princes Street Mall will be Santa's Ice Caves, which are a unique addition to this year's programme and give visitors the opportunity to learn how Santa prepares for Christmas.
The journey will take visitors deep inside an icy cave within the frozen lands of the North Pole, where Santa can be found sitting on a giant stalactite.
Late night shoppers will receive some festive cheer as a series of carol concerts are held in George Street each Thursday evening in December.
The singers, carrying authentic candle lanterns and dressed in period costumes will be collecting for the Give A Little Magic charity.
Building on the success of last year's programme, Edinburgh aims to give a little magic this Christmas and truly has something for everyone.
All city wide events and listings are brought together in the Edinburgh's Capital Christmas Programme, which will be widely distributed. For further information on Edinburgh's Capital Christmas visit the Edinburgh's Capital Christmas website www.edinburghscapitalchristmas.org or check out www.edinburgh.org