Thu. Oct 10th, 2024

There is nowhere more magical for families at Christmas time than Edinburgh! Christmas celebrations kick off on 17 November in Princes Street Gardens, with the legendary Light Night on George Street on 19th.

Ice Adventure

The fantastic a brand-new walk-through immersive experience, an ‘ice museum’ . Explore the walk-through experience and travel through Scotland’s rich and magical history, all filled to the brim with ice and snow sculptures to take your breath away!

From mythical creatures to historical figures, and of course with a whisky barrel or two along the way, you’ll be astounded by the lifelike ice sculptures in the Ice Adventure. With a setting of -10 C, be sure to wrap up!

Giant Advent Calendar

Great free event is Edinburgh’s Giant Advent Calendar projected on General Register House allowing you to peep behind usually closed doors throughout the city during advent! 24 Doors of Advent includes Trinity House, Mansfield Traquair and Lauriston Castle.

Santa

Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to Santa… A chance for children to meet the man in red in person, and tell him their dearest wish. Come and hear a festive fairytale, sit on Father Christmas’s knee, meet his helpers, and receive a wee gift. You must buy a ticket for a specific time slot, either online or in person, before entering the Grotto. Please note this year Santa’s Grotto can be found on George Street.

Food

Princes Street Gardens will again be filled with market stalls teeming with Festive fayre from around Europe. From sizzling bratwursts to sumptuous waffles and crepes, there won’t be any shortage of culinary delights on offer! And what better way to keep out the wintery chill than with a steaming mug of Glühwein, or maybe even a cheeky hot toddy.

The market will also have a wide array of beautiful handcrafted gifts, along with a variety of family-friendly attractions and rides such as Yeti, Big Wheel or the almost 60m high Star Flyer offering 360 degrees view of Edinburgh! St Andrew Square is once again home to its iconic elliptical outdoor ice rink where visitors can test their skills on the ice.

More info online at www.edinburghschristmas.com

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By Penny McCarthy

Penny McCarthy is a seasoned entrepreneur and co-founder of Parents News UK, a pioneering publication launched in 1993 to serve the needs of busy parents in Southwest London. Alongside her husband, Fergus McCarthy, Penny played a crucial role in the rapid expansion of the printed edition, which grew from a local startup to a widely circulated monthly publication with a reach of 192,000 copies across Kent, South London, and beyond. Under Penny’s leadership, Parents News quickly became a trusted resource for families, providing valuable information on education, entertainment, sports, and family-friendly events. Her vision helped the publication extend its influence with franchises in Northern Ireland and Cornwall, catering to a growing demand for accessible, family-oriented content. In 1997, recognising the importance of digital media, Penny spearheaded the launch of Parents News UK Online. The website initially mirrored the content of the printed editions and has since evolved into a comprehensive online resource for parents, achieving significant popularity with up to 700 daily hits. In 2017, the publication transitioned fully to an online platform, continuing to inform and engage families across the UK. Today, Penny remains deeply involved in the ongoing success of Parents News UK, focusing on innovative advertising opportunities and future growth plans. Her dedication to supporting families through accessible and practical content has made Parents News a cherished name in households across the country.

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