Edinburgh's Christmas Brochure 2016

18 November 2016 - 7 January 2017

A Festive Season from East to West End

HOW TO BOOK ONLINE

SKIP THE QUEUE

edinburghschristmas.com £1 per ticket fee, up to a maximum of £5, when you book for a show.

No transaction fees apply to rides and other events.

If you book online, you can skip the queue and go straight to the ride or attraction, rather than queueing at the box office. Either print out your ticket at home, or bring the email with you on your smartphone, and it will be scanned for admission. Not available for ice skating.

BY PHONE 0131 510 0395 £1 per ticket fee, up to a maximum of £5, when you book for a show.

No transaction fee applies to rides and other events.

CONCESSIONS Concession ticket prices are available to concession card holders and under 16s.

IN PERSON

FREE WIFI

Box offices are situated on the west side of St Andrew Square, in East Princes Street Gardens, and in Santa Land. For shows in Festival Square there is a box office inside the venue that will be open one hour before showtime.

Free WiFi will be available across Edinburgh city centre over Edinburgh’s Christmas 2016, delivered by intechnologyWiFi (in partnership with The City of Edinburgh Council).

Logging on couldn’t be easier: simply look for ‘_EdiFreeWiFi’ in your device’s list of available WiFi networks, tap to connect, enter a few quick details and you’re ready to go!

20% OFF FOR EH POSTCODE HOLDERS Available on all rides, selected shows, ice rink and Santa’s Grotto. The EH postcode offer requires residents to bring proof of address (eg. bank statement, driving licence, bus pass or utility bill) when purchasing tickets or collecting tickets booked online.

WELCOME FROM THE LORD PROVOST Welcome to Edinburgh’s Christmas 2016/17, the place to be to celebrate Christmas.

Many old favourites are returning and we will once again recognise our close relationship with Norway with the gift of the Christmas tree on the Mound and the popular Royal Norwegian Advent Concert in St Giles.

This year the stunning Street of Light returns but in a new location at George Street. The new pop-up Festival Square Theatre launches with something for everyone including a new production of the award-winning musical Five Guys Named Moe and the fantastic family show Morgan and West.

Don your skates and glide around the St Andrew Square elliptical ice rink, or head to East Princes Street Gardens to browse the market and enjoy the Big Wheel.

There’s plenty there for children in Santa Land with a host of rides, a maze and, of course, the main man himself.

The celebrations launch with a bang at the free Light Night event on 20 November and, once again, residents with an EH postcode get to enjoy a 20% discount on rides, attractions, shows and the Grotto.

Whether you are a citizen of this city or a visitor can I wish you a very Merry Christmas.

Donald Wilson The Rt Hon Lord Provost

All listings are correct at the time of going to press. Listings may be subject to change at short notice. Check the website for more information.

SEASON HIGHLIGHTS FROM 18 NOVEMBER ST ANDREW SQUARE ICE RINK (p18) FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE (p6) FROM 19 NOVEMBER EAST PRINCES ST GARDENS ATTRACTIONS (p14) 20 NOVEMBER LIGHT NIGHT (p20)

FROM 21 NOVEMBER STREET OF LIGHT (p12) FROM 26 NOVEMBER SCOTTISH MARKET (p11) 27 NOVEMBER NATIVITY CAROL CONCERT (p24) FROM 1 DECEMBER MORGAN & WEST (p10)

44

0131 510 0395 | edinburghschristmas.com

edxmas

Edinburgh’s Christmas 5

5

A BRAND NEW PRODUCTION OF THE OLIVIER AWARD-WINNING MUSICAL...

COMES TO EDINBURGH THIS CHRISTMAS FIVE GUYS NAMED MOE features the toe-tapping and

irresistible hits of jazz legend Louis Jordan, including: Early In The Morning, Choo Choo Ch’Boogie and Saturday Night Fish Fry, plus many more performed on stage by a live band.

First seen at the Theatre Royal Stratford East in 1990, from where it subsequently transferred to the West End winning the Olivier award for Best Entertainment, this musical tells the story of Nomax. Newly single and broke, he finds solace in the Five Guys Named Moe (Big Moe, Four Eyed Moe, Eat Moe, No Moe and Little Moe), who emerge to rouse him from his misfortunes with a whole lot of soul, music and infectious energy!

IONS PRODUCT Y L L E B R E UND TION WITH H IN ASSOCIA ACKINTOS M N O R E M CA PRESENT

Packed with an uplifting live soundtrack of soul, blues, gospel and early r’n’b, and led by our all-singing, all dancing Five Guys, this high-octane production of Five Guys Named Moe is the ultimate celebration to lift your soul. See this completely new production in the breathtaking Festival Square Theatre in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End.

COME AND JOIN THE PARTY! AGE RECOMMENDATION PG

RUNNING TIME 2 HOURS INCL INTERVAL

20% OFF FOR EH POSTCODE HOLDERS

FRIDAY 18 NOVEMBER SATURDAY 7 JANUARY

MON - SAT 7.30PM / THU & SAT MATINEES 4.00PM PREMIUM TABLES Mon-Wed £49.50, Thu - Sat £54.50 (Previews from £44.50) Includes a glass of bubbly on arrival, plus table service before the show & during the interval

A PROGRAM WORT ME IS INCLUDHE £10 EVERY TICDKWITH ET

PREMIUM STALLS Mon-Wed £44.50, Thu - Sat £49.50 (Previews from £39.50) Includes a glass of bubbly on arrival

INNER CIRCLE Mon-Wed £39.50, Thu - Sat £44.50 (Previews £34.50) STALLS Mon-Wed £34.50 Thu - Sat £39.50 (Previews £29.50) BACK STALLS Mon-Wed £29.50, Thu - Sat £34.50 (Previews from £24.50) PARTIAL VIEW STALLS Mon-Sat £19.50 (Previews £14.50)

6

SQUARE, LOTHIAN ROAD | EDINBURGHSCHRISTMAS.COM FESTIVAL SQUARE THEATRE FESTIVAL

DESIGN & PHOTOGRAPHY; DEWYNTERS

Includes a glass of bubbly on arrival

THEATRE DINING & FREE CAR PARKING AT ONE SQUARE RESTAURANT In the heart of Edinburgh’s Cultural Quarter, One Square Restaurant overlooks the new Festival Square Theatre, bursting with music, magic and fun throughout the Edinburgh’s Christmas season. Indulge in an elegant two-course dinner, without having to worry about being late to your show!

See a show in the heart of Edinburgh’s West End this Christmas!

Our theatre dining package includes a two-course menu complete with a glass of prosecco at One Square Restaurant, a ticket to the new production of West End and Broadway smash-hit musical Five Guys Named Moe, plus car parking for up to 6 hours while you enjoy the evening. With tiered packages to suit every budget, including reduced weeknight rates, book yourself in for a Christmas treat!

Dining slots are available before the 7.30pm performance at 5.15pm, 5.30pm and 5.45pm.

On Thursdays and Saturdays, dining is available before and after the 4pm matinee performance at 2pm, 2.15pm, 2.30pm, 6.15pm and 6.30pm.

To book a dining package, please call Edinburgh’s Christmas on 0131 510 0395 or visit our website at edinburghschristmas.com

8

Monday – Wednesday Premium Stalls package: £69.00 Inner Circle package: £64.00 Stalls package: £59.00 Back Stalls package: £54.00

Edinburgh’s Christmas joins forces with The Lyceum, Traverse Theatre and Usher Hall to bring you Christmas on Stage, a celebration of fantastic shows for the festive season in Edinburgh’s West End. Look no further than the city’s Cultural Quarter in the West End for a festive outing for all the family. The magic of seeing stories come to life on stage is the perfect Christmas activity for all the family, whether you’re 1 or 101!

Thursday – Saturday Premium Stalls package: £74.00 Inner Circle package: £69.00 Stalls package: £64.00 Back Stalls package: £59.00

Book tickets at edinburghschristmas.com for Five Guys Named Moe and Morgan & West’s A (sort of) Christmas Carol at the new Festival Square Theatre on Festival Square, Black Beauty and Last Christmas at the Traverse Theatre and Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland at The Lyceum. Book for the RSNO Christmas Concert and A Christmas Wish at usherhall.co.uk

0131 510 0395 | edinburghschristmas.com

9

edxmas

Edinburgh’s Christmas

Scottish Market

Our Scottish Market at the west end of George Street showcases the best of what Scotland has to offer in gifts.

You will find Scottish brewed craft beer, gin, Scottish accessories, decorations, cupcakes and sweet treats and much, much more.

The world’s most distinguished duo of Time Travelling Magicians, Morgan & West, present Charles Dickens’ timeless classic A Christmas Carol for all ages.

Mon - Thu: 12pm - 10pm Fri - Sun: 10am - 10pm

The only problem is, they’re baffled by the story. Well, that’s not the only problem: there are also only two of them to play all the parts.

Oh, and Mr West is rather insistent on doing a magic show at the same time. How hard could it possibly be?

European Market For over 20 years in the heart of Edinburgh, the popular European Market has been held in its picturesque setting at East Princes Street Gardens. The market stretches from the Mound, along the Gardens and round the Scott Monument to Waverley Bridge.

There’s fun in store for everyone in this utterly splendid (and totally silly) Christmas magic show!

★★★★

The traditional christmas market offers a unique, festive shopping experience for every visitor with its crafters, artists, gifts shops and gastronomic surprises. Get into the Christmas spirit!

‘By the end there’s barely a child in the room who isn’t wide-eyed and grinning with delight’

Mon - Sun: 10am - 10pm

Fest

★★★★ ‘Hugely talented’ Daily Mail

Festival Square Theatre, Festival Square, Lothian Road Thursday 1 December - Saturday 7 January Daytime performances, times vary please check website.

Prices: Mon - Thu £14 (£12 concession, £45 family ticket) Fri & Sat £18 (£12 concession, £50 family ticket) Suitable for ages 5+ Running time: 60 mins 20% off for EH postcode holders

10

0131 510 0395 | edinburghschristmas.com

MARKETS

Morgan & West: A (sort of) Christmas Carol Magic Show!

GEORGE ST WEST ENREET, D

11

edxmas

Edinburgh’s Christmas

EAST P STREET GRINCES ARDENS

Following a sell-out sensation in 2015, the breathtaking Street of Light returns to Edinburgh in a new location. The west end of George Street plays host to an architectural installation of over 60,000 lightbulbs in a stunning canopy of light, synchronised to music from Edinburgh’s local community.

21 Nov - 24 Dec, 6pm & 8pm The event lasts for 20 minutes

Free event For information on attending the Street of Light please check streetoflight.com The music at this year’s Street of Light will be provided by the Festival Chorus, the RSNO Junior Chorus, Tigerstyle and Blazin’ Fiddles.

ST END REET, WE

T GEORGE S

Blazin’ Fiddles

12

Festival Chorus

RSNO Junior Chorus

Tigerstyle

13

We dare you…! At nearly 60 metres high, the Star Flyer is truly awesome.

Take your seat and view Edinburgh like you’ve never seen it before… with 360-views over the rooftops, and maybe with your eyes firmly shut!

Big Wheel

Sat 19 November – Sat 7 January 10am – 10pm (last admission 9.45pm) Tickets are date-specific but there are no set time slots - admission is on a first come, first served basis. Please allow extra time if you plan to attend during busy periods.

EAST P STREET GRINCES ARDENS

Our observational Big Wheel has 36 enclosed, weather-proof pods, each seating six people, and showing unrivalled views of Edinburgh.

As the pod door closes, you’ll hear a short historical tour of the view and the city. One ride on the Big Wheel won’t be enough!

£7.50 20% off for EH postcode holders You must be at least 1m tall to ride the Star Flyer

Sat 19 November – Sat 7 January 10am – 10pm (last admission 9.45pm) Tickets are date-specific but there are no set time slots - admission is on a first come, first served basis. Please allow extra time if you plan to attend during busy periods.

EAST P STREET GRINCES ARDENS

£9 (£6 concessions) Family ticket £25 (admits 4, with a maximum of 2 adults) 20% off for EH postcode holders

14

0131 510 0395 | edinburghschristmas.com

15

edxmas

Edinburgh’s Christmas

RIDES & ATTRACTIONS

Star Flyer

Lower East Princes St Gardens is once again transformed into a magical festive place for all the family, with a host of rides and attractions to enjoy.

Take a trip on the Santa Train, find what’s hidden in the centre of the Maze, and visit the man himself in our magical Santa’s Grotto.

For a full list of all the rides in Santa Land, please visit edinburghschristmas.com 19 November - 7 January Opening hours: Sun - Wed: 10am - 8pm Thu - Fri: 10am - 9pm Sat: 10am - 10pm *These vary on occasional days, check the website for up to date info. £8 per child (includes up to 2 accompanying adults) 20% off for EH postcode holders With the exception of Santa’s Grotto, tickets are date-specific but there are no set time slots - admission is on a first-come, first-served basis. Please allow extra time if you plan to attend during busy periods.

Last admission to rides is 15 minutes before closing time.

16

RIDES & ATTRACTIONS

Santa’s Grotto

EAST P STREET GRINCES ARDENS

Until 24 December Christmas just wouldn’t be Christmas without a visit to Santa…

A chance for children to meet the man in red 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.

Sessions are group sessions and begin every 30 minutes. You must buy a ticket for a specific time slot before entering Santa’s Grotto. £8 (includes up to 2 accompanying adults)

Christmas Tree Maze Prepare to get lost in our magical Christmas Tree Maze! A joy for children and adults alike - can you make your way to the centre and back again?

Discover the Elves’ workshop, where Santa’s little helpers will be waiting for you with a treat. £3.50 (under 13’s must be accompanied by a paying adult)

Santa Train Board the train at Santa’s train station, and then it’s all aboard for an exciting ride round Santa Land. Look up at the Castle, the tree on the Mound, the Big Wheel, the Market, and wave to the crowds as Santa sounds the bell. £4 (Children under 1m tall must be accompanied by a responsible adult, who may ride for free. All other adults pay full price.)

0131 510 0395 | edinburghschristmas.com

17

edxmas

Edinburgh’s Christmas

RIDES & ATTRACTIONS

24 Doors of Advent Discover an exciting new place each day, as this real-life advent calendar takes you through a different door, throughout December.

In the Year of Innovation, Architecture and Design, each day from 1 - 24 December, a building around Edinburgh opens its doors to showcase the unique design of buildings in the city.

This project is part of the Festival of Architecture and is supported by the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.

Please check our website for the full 24 Doors of Advent programme. *guided tours available

Here are some highlights of our 24 Doors

ST. ANDR E SQUARE W

St Andrew Square Ice Rink

Assembly Rooms* 1 December 10am - 4pm

Chapel of St Albert the Great 3 December

Royal Lyceum Theatre, Edinburgh 7 December

BT Murrayfield Stadium* 9 December

The Storytelling Centre 15 December

Riddle’s Court* 17 December 10am - 4pm

Get your skates on and glide all the way round the Melville Monument in St Andrew Square on our beautiful elliptical ice rink.

Fri 18 November – Sat 7 January Day slots start every 45 minutes from 10am to 1pm, and then every 30 minutes until 9:30pm. The ice rink is cleared completely for cleaning up to twice a day so please check the website or at the box office for up-to-date timings.

Adults £9 - £12.50 Children (4 - 15 years) £5 - £8 Family ticket £20 - £35 (admits 4, maximum 2 adults) 20% off for EH postcode holders Please arrive 20 minutes before the scheduled start time to collect your skates (5 minutes before, for 10am sessions). Skating aids are available.

19

GEORGE

ST

Join us to help celebrate the official opening of Edinburgh’s Christmas, when we switch on the city’s Christmas lights!

Watch George Street sparkle as we illuminate the city with lights, fireworks and the awesome sound of Edinburgh and Scotland’s most celebrated choirs and bands. The choirs will be lighting up the town with their voices, alongside a beautiful canopy of over 60,000 lights, as we simultaneously launch the second year of the Street of Light in its new location on George Street.

A stunning free event for the community, and by the community, Light Night is hosted by Forth Radio’s Arlene Stuart.

Please note that we expect the event to be very busy, so please leave plenty of time to arrive, and travel by public transport if at all possible to avoid congestion in the city centre.

Sun 20 November George Street, west end 12.30pm - 5pm (first performance 1pm) Fireworks at 5pm Free entry

20

We are delighted to welcome special guest 2016 Olympic Gold Medal winning cyclist Callum Skinner to switch on the city’s Christmas Lights.

‘2016 has been an incredible year for me winning gold and silver in the Olympics! I’m proud to be returning to start Edinburgh’s Christmas in the city I grew up in and where I first discovered track cycling. Light Night is a terrific community celebration bringing everyone together in a free fun and spectacular event in the centre, and it’s also a chance for me to highlight the great work that the Jabulani do for township children in South Africa. The charity is run by the popular former James Gillespie’s Head Teacher, Alex Wallace. Many S6 students partake in an annual trip to support Gillespie’s partner schools in the Umlazi Township.’

0131 510 0395 | edinburghschristmas.com

EVENTS

NIGHT

Once more, Scotland’s fundraising Santas will run, walk and stroll around West Princes Street Gardens, which is spread over a short 2.5km circuit raising money for When You Wish Upon A Star.

The Edinburgh Santa Fun Run & Walk is a great way to enjoy time with family, friends and work colleagues to help us continue granting the very special Wishes for children who are living with a life threatening illness throughout Scotland.

A great Christmas event for everyone, the 2.5km event will start at 11am after a special Christmas warm up. The route is accessible to wheelchairs and mobility scooters. Children in pushchairs and dogs on leads are more than welcome, with special prizes for the best dressed pushchair and best dressed dog.

For more information or to register, please visit thesantarun.org.uk, call 01357 529 950 or email scotland@whenyouwish.org.uk

Winter Windows Designed by schools from across Edinburgh, the Winter Windows form a magical pathway down to Santa Land. Each window is designed by a budding young artist from Edinburgh’s schools to fit this year’s theme of Architecture.

East Princes Street Gardens 19 November – 7 January Free entry

EAST P STREET GRINCES ARDENS

0131 510 0395 | 0131 edinburghschristmas.com 510 0395 | edinburghschristmas.com 2222

Sunday 11 December 11am West Princes Street Gardens, starts at the Ross Bandstand Entry Adults with Early Bird discount from £10 (12yrs and over); includes Santa Suit and medal to keep Juniors with Early Bird discount from £5 (5yrs to 11yrs); includes Santa Suit and medal to keep Children £2.50 (2yrs to 4yrs); includes an Elf Hat and medal to keep Infants FREE Dogs FREE All money raised from the Edinburgh Santa Fun Run & Walk will be used to help fund The Northern Polar Express Trip on Monday 12 December, when we will take between 60-70 of our Wish Children from all over Scotland together with their family to Glamis Castle on the Belmond Northern Belle (sister train to the Venice-Simplon Orient Express), in what promises to be a trip of a life time for creating the most magical of memories. edxmas

Edinburgh’s Christmas 23

EVENTS

The Edinburgh Santa Fun Run and Walk

WEST P STREET G RINCES ARDENS

#blogmanay

Norwegian Tree

The Christmas Tree in Edinburgh has been a gift from Hordaland County Council in Norway since 1986 to mark the close historic and cultural ties between Norway and Scotland. The tree this year will be lit by a visiting delegation from Hordaland including the County Convener of Hordaland.

Royal Norwegian Advent Concert Schola Cantorum of Edinburgh Conductor and Organ Eric von Ibler.

Music and Carols for Advent and Christmas with Vocalist Reidun Horvei and Pianist Inger-Kristine Riber from Hordaland, Norway.

Monday 21 November, 7pm (Doors open 6.30) Free entry St. Giles’ Cathedral

Nativity Carol Concert Join us for traditional carols round the nativity scene, featuring the Exile Gospel Choir accompanied by musicians and The Edinburgh Signing Choir.

Sunday 27 November, 3pm Free entry St Andrew Square

/edinburghshogmanay

@edhogmanay

@edhogmanay

EDINBURGHSHOGMANAY.COM

EH2017 Box Office: 0844 573 8455 / Fringe Office, 180 High Street, Edinburgh Principal Funding Partner

Major Funding Partners

Major Partners Supported through the Scottish Government’s Edinburgh Festivals Expo Fund

Official Transport Partner

Created and Produced by

HOW TO GET HERE Edinburgh’s Christmas is based at four sites: East Princes Street Gardens, Festival Square, St Andrew Square and the west end of George Street.

THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS Edinburgh’s Christmas is supported by

For a map and details of what’s on at each site, turn to page 4.

Parking: NCP parking at Castle Terrace and St Johns is available at special rates for Edinburgh’s Christmas visitors. Evenings: £7 (5pm - Midnight) Weekends: £7 (4 hours). Visit edinburghschristmas.com for more details.

Train: Edinburgh Waverley station, Haymarket station

Bus: Sites are easily accessible from stops on Princes Street, George Street, Lothian Road and South St David Street. Lothian Buses operates 24/7 ( runs through the night).

Plan your journey by bus and tram at lothianbuses.com/plan-your-journey For information about tickets and Park & Ride facilities, visit lothianbuses.com

Event Partners

Travel Partners

Media Partners

Thanks to the City of Edinburgh Council; Callum Skinner & all at Red Sky Management; our Christmas on Stage partners; the 24 Doors of Advent participants; Neil Baxter and all at RIAS; all those that made Street of Light possible, including Luminaria De Cagna and Christopher Bell and the choirs and bands; Police Scotland; Scottish Fire and Rescue Service; Arlene Stuart; Ivo Mulder at IM-STEE and Chris Milne at Will Rudd Davidson; Essential Edinburgh and Marketing Edinburgh; all our colleagues at the Edinburgh festivals; all at Unique Events; and, last but not least, all of Underbelly’s Edinburgh Christmas staff.

27

A BRAND NEW PRODUCTION OF THE AWARD-WINNING SMASH-HIT MUSICAL

DUCTIONS

LLY PRO UNDERBE TION WITH IN ASSOCIA

KINTOSH

MAC CAMERON PRESENT

PREVIEW PRIC PREMIUM SEATSES, DINING PACKAG & ES AVAILABLE

18 NOV 2016 - 7 JAN 2017 | EDINBURGHSCHRISTMAS.COM | FESTIVAL SQUARE THEATRE

FESTIVAL SQUARE, LOTHIAN ROAD