Edinburghs Christmas brings that festive feeling back to the city

Edinburgh’s Christmas activities, including the Christmas Market and the Lidl on Ice Experience, finished on Tuesday after a hugely successful five and a half week run.

Article Source: Edinburgh’s Christmas
Last Updated: 6 January 2023 14:18

While Santa departed for the North Pole over a week ago, Edinburgh’s Christmas activities, including the Christmas Market and the Lidl on Ice Experience, finished on Tuesday after a hugely successful five and a half week run.

Edinburgh’s Christmas, which this year was spread across East and West Princes Street Gardens and George Street, enjoyed a footfall of over 2.4 million through all 3 sites, bringing a much-needed Festive buzz to the city centre which has been missing since the last pre-Covid Christmas season in 2019, and attracting people into the city from all over the country.

The Forth 1 Big Wheel lifted over 140,000 people up into the skies above Princes Street, while nearly 9,000 came to visit Santa and more than 66,500 got their skates on at the Lidl on Ice Experience in George Street, supported by Essential Edinburgh. The festive events were also strongly supported by the city’s residents with the EH postcode discount applied on 82,000 tickets across all attractions.

Edinburgh’s Christmas was produced by UniqueAssembly who took on the contract in October at the request of City of Edinburgh Council after the original contractor pulled out, meaning that this year’s Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions were brought together at only six weeks’ notice. UniqueAssembly honoured as many existing agreements as possible including local stall holders, Scottish fairground operators and a range of local service companies. Over half the stall holders at the traditional Christmas Market were local companies.

Directors of UniqueAssembly commented; “It has been an extraordinary challenge to take on this large-scale event at such short notice as production costs rocketed, and the cost-of-living crisis, train strikes and weather all contributed to peoples’ decision to visit the city centre. Given this, we are delighted that Edinburgh was busy throughout the Festive season, and Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions proved so popular with residents as well as visitors. Overall, it has been an incredible success story. One little boy was overheard saying, “it’s like being in a movie”. This kind of magic is what makes Christmas so special.”

City of Edinburgh Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Edinburgh’s Christmas certainly remains one of the UK’s favourite winter destinations. Our absolute priority was to ensure that we provided high-quality festive celebrations for the city – and that these be delivered in the spirit of the feedback received in our consultation with residents, businesses and stakeholders.

“With a footfall of over 2 million to this year’s festival, there’s no questioning the popularity Edinburgh’s Christmas or the benefits it brings to the Capital – the enjoyment and wellbeing of our residents, but also the economic impact for our businesses and the city as a whole. I’m delighted that so many residents and visitors enjoyed all that was on offer.

“We are especially proud of the opportunities it affords to raise funds for local charities and the free tickets donated to charities and community groups helped spread Christmas joy across the city.”

Roddy Smith, CEO of Essential Edinburgh said: “The Christmas period is so important to the city centre’s business community, and Edinburgh’s Christmas activities are vital to bringing residents and visitors into our fantastic and vibrant city centre. The success of this year’s celebrations was a real team effort and we were delighted to support the great work of UniqueAssembly and City of Edinburgh Council. With more time to plan for Christmas 2023, I am sure we can look forward to an even bigger and better Edinburgh’s Christmas later this year.”

Edinburgh’s Christmas supported a number of local charities through a range of fundraising initiatives. Tickets for SantaPaws included a donation to Edinburgh Dog & Cat Home while a series of free community events at the Ross Bandstand included an outdoor Family Ceilidh and a Nativity Carol Concert, organised in collaboration with Edinburgh Churches Together supporting The Salvation Army Christmas Appeal and Blackhall St Colomba’s Church supporting Fresh Start and Bethany Christian Trust. Edinburgh’s Christmas worked with When You Wish upon a Star Children’s Charity helping them deliver their annual Santa Fun Run and Walk and a donation to the Lord Provost’s One City Trust was made from Silent Disco Headphone sales.

Over 6,000 free tickets were donated to 30 charities and community groups across the city including the Pilmeny Development Fund, Stepping Stones, Edinburgh Young Carers and Children’s Holiday Venture.

Edinburgh’s Christmas also supports Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness festive campaign based in St Andrew Square, collecting donations to help provide Christmas meals, gifts, and essential items to homeless and vulnerable people.

The Winter Windows campaign saw 12 winners from primary schools across Edinburgh display their festive artwork along the top pathway of West Princes Street Gardens helping to create a festive welcome to Santa Land.

UniqueAssembly hope to return in 2023 with a refreshed Christmas programme including bringing back some familiar festive favourites, as well as developing and enhancing exciting new events and attractions. Organisers wish to re-establish a strong local pride and support for the Edinburgh’s Christmas events, as well as putting the city on the map as one of Europe’s premium winter destinations, welcoming visitors from across the UK and beyond to the economic benefit of Edinburgh as a whole.

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