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Christmas Diary 2008
| Date |
Event |
Time |
| Nov 23rd |
Christmas Light Night
The famous Christmas Tree on the Mound, given to the City of Edinbrgh by
the people of Hordaland,Norway, will be lit, in conjunction with the lights in Princes St.
East Garden Princes St. 5.30pm onwards for the launch of Capital Christmas
The Christmas Light Night will also see, for the first time ever, the hugely popular Edinburgh Wheel, Winter Wonderland and the Traditional German Christmas Market all open simultaneously from 5.30pm in a sensational start to Edinburgh’s winter festivals.
Christmas carols, music and fireworks. With a wide variety of food, drink and exciting rides, it's the perfect start to Edinburgh's Christmas
St. Andrew Square Christmas Lights 24th November time : 18:30 - 19:00
The George Street Christmas Trees 24thNovember time : 18:30 - 19:00
Traditional German Christmas Market
Experience all the magic of a Traditional German Christmas Market in the heart of Edinburgh. Situated in a new location at Mound Precinct, this fantastic market is the perfect place to find all your Christmas gifts or just soak up the Christmas atmosphere with a warming mug of gluwein
The Winter Gardens are open throughout the Christmas and Hogmanay celebrations until January 7 2009
The Christmas & Flying Carousels
East Princes Street Gardens
Take a nostalgic spin on the beautiful Christmas Carousel. This old fashioned ride delights both young and old spinning in the heart of Edinburgh's Christmas.
If the Christmas Carousel just isn't fast enough for you then try the new addition to Edinburgh's Christmas 'The Flying Carousel.' This old fashioned chair-o-plane ride is sure to set hearts racing as it flies through the air.
Prices Vary
|
17.30 |
| Dec 1st - Dec 6th |
Local Lights On Ceremonies
Local light switch ons:
Edinburgh Sherwood Guest House lighting up for Christmas at approximately 18.00 on the 1st Dec if we can wait that long
Leith Christmas Lights @ the New Kirkgate Shopping Precinct
Christmas Tree Lights will be switched on by Edinburgh's Lord Provost, with special guest Tony Mowbray from Hibernian FC. Master of Ceremony entertaining the crowd will be Scott Wilson from Radio Forth. Join in with carols to start the festive season in Leith.
Thursday 1st December time : 16:45 - 17:30
Grassmarket Christmas Tree Lights
The lights in the trees in the Grassmarket will be switched on. Many shops will be open between 6pm and 8pm and will give free mince pies to their customers. There will also be free mulled wine at Mama's on the Grassmarket.
Thursday 1st December time : 18:00 - 20:00
Silverknowes Christmas Event
Davidson Mains Primary School & Park
Bring and Buy sale at Davidson Mains Primary School at 4pm followed by a piper lead procession with the school choir down Main Street from the Primary School to Davidson Mains Park. The Christmas Illuminations will be switched on at 6pm.
Friday 2nd December time : 16:00 - 18:30
Gorgie/Dalry Christmas Lights Switch On
Gorgie City Farm
Entertainment includes a Christmas carol performance by the Tynecastle High School Brass Band and St Martins Church Choir. Presentation to the winner of the 'Best Christmas Window Display' competition. Christmas message by Rev. John Conway and lights will be switched on by a representative from Hearts FC.
Sunday 4th December time : 18:00 - 19:00
Causewayside Christmas Lights
St. Patrick Square
The switch-on of the Christmas lights on St. Patrick Square and Causewayside.
Tuesday 5th December time : 18:00 - 18:30
Corstorphine Christmas Tree Lights
Old Parish Church, Corstorphine High Street With special guest Criag Chalmers from Pop Idol. Join in with Craigmouth High School Wind Band and Choir with Christmas Carols as the Christmas Tree is lit.
Refreshments at Corstophine Youth and Community Centre afterwards.
Tuesday 6th December time : 18:30 - 19:30
Newhaven Christmas Lights
Newhaven, Main Street
Gather at 6pm for festive fun as the Christmas Tree Lights are switched on.
Monday 5th December time : 18:00 - 19:00
Leith Christmas Lights
New Kirkgate Shopping Centre
Come and see The Rt. Hon. Lesley Hinds, Lord Provost of City of Edinburgh, switch-on the Christmas lights and enjoy other entertainment.
Thursday 7th December time : 16:30 - 17:30
Bruntsfield Christmas Lights
Bruntsfield Place and Terrace
The switch-on of the Christmas lights in Bruntsfield.
Wednesday 6th December time : 18:30 - 19:00
This section will be added to as we get details.
|
various see listing |
| Nov 23rd |
The Edinburgh Wheel
The Edinburgh Wheel & Winter Gardens Carousel
Enjoy an exhilarating view of the city on the famous Edinburgh Wheel or a more relaxed ride on the beautiful Winter Gardens Carousel.
Prices vary
Open daily 10am - 10pm
New Year's Eve 10am - 8pm
Closed Christmas Day |
17.30 |
| 
|
|
| Nov 23rd |
Winter Wonderland
Britain's biggest and most beautiful outdoor ice rink. Skate outdoors filled with twinkling festive lights beneath the fabulous setting of Edinburgh's Castle and the National Gallery.
Winter Wonderland transforms East Princes Street Gardens into an exciting world of ice with fun for both adults and children.
Wheter a skater or a spectator, warm up with our traditional mulled wine or steaming hot chocolate from the rink-side stalls and savour a mix of contemporary and traditional hot and cold food.
Come and be a part of the magic that is Edinburgh's Winter Wonderland.
Last sessions starts 1 hour before closing time.
Visit www.winterwonderland.org for more Details.
Open daily except Christmas Day.
Skating prices vary:
Prices vary
| from 17.30 nov 25th |
| TBA |
The Farmers' Market
Edinburgh will again play host to the ultimate outdoor shopping experience under the splendid backdrop of Edinburgh Castle, the multi-award winning Edinburgh Farmers' Market offers the finest produce available and food as fresh as fresh can be. dates/times will be confirmed soon!
|
from TBA |
| Nov 23rd |
Bungydome
Bungydome is a state of the art experience. Perform acrobatic leaps surrounded by dramatic images. Bounce amongst the stars or fly with angels.
£5 for 5 minutes
Thurs - Sat 10am - 10pm
Sun - Wed (& Christmas Eve) 10am - 8pm
New Year's Eve 10am - 6pm
New Year's Day 11am - 10pm
Closed Christmas Day
| 18.30 |
| Dec 3rd |
Nativity Scene
Princes Street Gardens, at the site of the Floral Clock, foot of the Mound
description :
Tim Chalk of Chalk Works was commissioned to carve the Nativity Scene in 2003. His approach to the project was to work with the pre-conceived ideas that many people have of a nativity scene. His aim was to attract attention and stimulate debate to encourage people to consider and perhaps reassess their assumptions.
The sculpture aims to present a timeless universal image of dispossessed people sheltering in a derelict structure. It could be from Palestine 2000 years ago or Baghdad in recent weeks. Tim was driven to create a piece that conveyed the emotional intensity of the arrival of a new baby and to encourage people to focus on the core values of the Christmas story.
The sculpture has been warmly received – perhaps for its humanity and universality.
Edinburgh’s Christmas would like to extend special thanks to Sir Tom and Lady Farmer for donating the Nativity Scene to the city.
|
| Dec 3rd |
Nativity Carol Service
Princes Street Gardens, at the site of the Floral Clock, foot of the Mound
description :
This event is free
On Advent Sunday, we invite all to join in singing some of your favourite carols.
His Eminence the Cardinal Keith Patrick O'Brien will bless Tim Chalk’s striking Nativity Scene and a rousing chorus from Exile Gospel Choir accompanied by St Peter's Primary School Choir will warm up this outdoor winter afternoon.
Exile choir, band and orchestra is organised and run by Origin Scotland and Origin South Africa. They perform annually at events in the UK and South Africa raising funds for a number of charities including the Beautiful Gate Clinic in Mitchel's Plain, Cape Town, the residential care clinic for children and orphans infected and affected by AIDS and HIV. Donations will be collected at the Nativity Carol Service and much appreciated by many.
With thanks to Edinburgh Churches Together for their assistance and support of this event. |
from 16.00 |
| Nov 23rd |
Norwegian Advent Concert
St Giles Cathedral, High Street
Norwegian Advent Carol Concert for all the family in the picturesque settings of Edinburgh's medieval cathedral.
This event is free.
In honour of our cultural links and to celebrate our close association with Norway, Hordaland County Council will host an Advent Carol Concert in the City Church of Edinburgh, St. Giles’ Cathedral.
Performing at the concert is The Hordaland Folk Music Group. The group consists of one traditional singer, Reidun Horvei, and two Hardanger fiddlers, Einar Mjolsnes and Frank Henrik Rolland.
The purpose is to maintain the county's traditional folk music traditions, to increase the awarness of and interest in traditional folk music, and to make it available to most people.
St Giles' glorious architecture makes a memorable setting for some sublime music.
Come and greet the festive spirit with carol singing for all the family.
| 19:00 - 21:00 |
| Dec 9th |
Santa’s Reindeer Garden
Santa's reindeer are making a welcome return to West Princes Street Gardens, taking a break before their bug night out on Christmas Eve.
Come pay them a visit and post your Christmas wishes in Santa's special postbox. Santa will visit the gardens twice a day to feed the reindeer and collect his mail at 1pm and 4pm.
The Santa Express @ West Princes Street Gardens
Enjoy a relaxing trip through Christmas Gardens on the Santa Express.
Prices Vary
Dates 9th through 17th dec
|
10.00 - 18.00 |
| Dec 10th |
Santa Fun Run
West Princes Street Gardens
After the huge success of 2005 The Great Scottish Santa Run is back to create the largest Santa Run in Scotland.
Anyone can enter this fundraising event, with Santa's over 12 years of receiving their own Santa suit (to keep!!). Join 1000's of other participants in a fun 1.5km circuit of West Princes Street Gardens. Under 12's can take part as elves and will receive a medal from Santa when they finish.
All children taking part must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Money raised will go to the 'When you wish upon a star' charity to grant wishes to children with life threatening illness.
£10 adults/£5 children
phone 0115 978 1500 or use
www.thesantarun.org.uk website for contact details.
The Santa Express location @ West Princes Street Gardens
Hop on-board the Santa Express for a trip through West Christmas Gardens on our very own land train. Enjoy a journey to Santa's Reindeer Garden or back up to see the beautiful Nativity scene. entry : £1 from 9th dec
|
11:00 - 14:00
|
Christmas in Edinburgh Links
If you would like any Christmas Theme added to this page please
send us your suggestions
Please note that individual commercial enterprises will only be added to this festival diary if a donation is made to charity. Our preferred Charity is St. Columbas Hospice but any charity of choice is acceptable.
Click here for '3 for 2' breaks
Press on any of the following buttons for our places to :-
For links with a slightly longer description you can click on any of the following boxes:-
PlacestoEat
A list & some links to Edinburgh's best eating places. Ranges from sandwiches
to haute cuisine. Something to suite the carnivores, vegitarians & vegans.
|
PlacestoDrink
A list of the traditional, trendy, real ale, noisy, quiet, student, poser,
bars in Edinburgh
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PlacestoPlay
This contains a list of night clubs, theatres, casinos, pools, gyms, saunas,
solariums,music halls, football pitches, sports complexes etc etc
|
PlacestoShop
From rare art and antiques to dog collars for mastifs (alternative attire).
A growing list of Edinburgh's shopping opportunities
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PlacestoStay
A list of superior Edinburgh hotels and guest houses
|
Placestovisit
A list of places, with photographs, to visit in Edinburgh and were possible links to
their individual site.
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PlacestoPray
A list of places to worship and if relevant their service times
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PlacestoSell
A list of places that are for sale
|
PlacestoWork
A list of places that are looking for employees
|
PlacesforTradesmen
A list of qualified tradesmen advertising their skills on the internet
placesforkids
This site is for kids. Places for them to go, visit and play including cinemas
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Edinburgh-folk
This part has information on famous Edinburgh Folk,past and present
and also has a section to help folk keep in touch.
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Edinburgh-webcams
This page has some links to the various webcams set up in and around Edinburgh. Please dont bother too much about the weather. The city is beautiful in rain ,hail and snow as well as when the sun shines
| Computer Professionals
This page has some links to C.Vs for computer professional in the Edinburgh area who are always on the lookout for contract work.
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Edinburgh Christmas
This page has all the Christmas related information for Edinburgh
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Please note the this site will only ever deal with Edinburgh. If we ever branch out
to doing other bits of Scotland they will have their very own sites also.
Meanwhile we are pleased to offer some hopefully interesting links for you.
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