Locals in Edinburgh are getting into the spirit of Christmas after two years of being restricted by Covid-19.
The City Council too, is not exempted from getting into the Christmas mood as they start preparing the Christmas markets, ice rink, carol concerts and so on. But above all, the famous Christmas Lights are now switched on.
From the 10 November to 12 December, people can watch the Christmas lights illuminate the entire city.
A tradition dear to the people of Edinburgh, Sarah, a biomedical student, said: “The Christmas lights always look amazing each year and it’s always a talking point among people. It adds to the happy atmosphere you expect at Christmas time and they are admirable. I like that Edinburgh is an old, historic place with the castle and old buildings but the decorations brighten everything up and it’s something I enjoy experiencing with loved ones. I think it definitely brings people together, there is a sense of togetherness in Edinburgh at that time of the year. It’s a time to slow down.”
Robert Aldridge, Edinburgh’s Lord Provost, said in a press release that Edinburgh is one of the best places in the world to celebrate Christmas.
He added: “This programme for 2022 promises a rich and varied programme of festive activities, events and experiences that will be enjoyed by residents and visitors of all ages. We can’t wait to see everyone enjoying it.”
Every year, Edinburgh’s famous Christmas period brings millions of people to the capital and around 500,000 tourists who enjoy the beauty of the decorations and the spectacles. And if the £21.50 ticket for the Royal Botanical Garden is too expensive for people’s budgets, they can still enjoy the free and vibrant festive lights all around the city.
The City Council released the dates, times, and locations where people can gather and see the magic of the lights happening through the weeks:
- George Street- Sunday, November 20 at 1pm
- South Queensferry – Thursday, November 24 at 5:30pm
- Davidson’s Mains – Friday, November 25 at 6pm
- Stenhouse – Tuesday, November 29 at 6pm
- Roseburn – Thursday, December 1 at 4:30pm
- Corstorphine Old Parish Church – Thursday, December 1 at 6:30pm
- Balerno – Thursday, December 1 at 6pm
- Wester Hailes Plaza – Thursday, December 1 at 5:30pm
- Marchmont Crescent / Warrender Park Road – Saturday, December 3 at 4:30pm
- Ratho Village – Sunday, December 4 at 4pm
- Bruntsfield Eric Liddell Centre – Wednesday, December 7 at 5pm
- St Patrick’s Square – Wednesday, December 7 at 6pm
- Portobello – Thursday, December 8 at 6pm
- Gorgie White Park – Sunday, December 11 at 7pm
- Prestonfield – Monday, December 12 at 5:30pm
St James Quarter opened the ball with its Christmas display of 40 luminous sculptures on the 10 November. They were followed a week later, by the Royal Botanic Garden illuminated trail. And the day after, when the festivities started at the Castle with their show: A Kingdom of Colours. They are three of numerous lights shows visible in the city.
Whether it’s buying presents for our loved ones, (re)watching Love Actually or while drinking mulled wine, the Christmas spirit is certainly in the air.