Edinburgh Spotlight loves living in ‘Festival City’ and already has all these dates in its calendar – here’s the rundown of 2012′s festivals.

Mary King’s Ghost Fest TBC for 2012

Paranormal investigations, celebrity ghost hunts and other spooky goings on at The Real Mary King’s Close.

Ceilidh Culture 16 March – 25 April

Edinburgh’s traditional arts festival, featuring music, dance, storytelling and more.

International Science Festival 31 March- 13 April 2012
The International Science Festival features a host of fun and educational events, lectures and attractions celebrating all things scientific.

Beltane Fire Festival 30 April 2012
Beltane is an ancient Celtic festival and Edinburgh plays host to some colourful and exciting celebrations to mark the date.

Imaginate Festival 7 – 14 May 2012
The Imaginate Festival is Edinburgh’s children’s festival and has loads of plays, activities and fun things to do for youngsters of all ages.

Leith Festival 8 -17 June 2012
Come and celebrate all things Leith at this festival, featuring music, dance, art and other exciting events.

Edinburgh International Film Festival 20 June – 1 July
The Edinburgh Film Festival is an internationally-renowned event on the movie festival circuit and attracts premieres and stars from all over the world.

Edinburgh International Magic Festival 29 June – 6 July 2012

2012 will see Edinburgh host the third International Magic Festival with a range of performers show-casing their magical talents.

Edinburgh Art Festival August 2 – September 2
Edinburgh Art Festival celebrates the visual arts in all its diversity, from world-class exhibitions to strikingly original installations.

Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival 28 July – 6 August 2012
Get your gladrags on and party to the sounds of the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, a popular event which attracts international talent.

Edinburgh Fringe Festival 3 - 27 August 2012
Getting bigger, better and – some may say – weirder every year, the Edinburgh Fringe Festival is the highlight of many a festival-goer’s calendar.

Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 3 – 25 August 2012
Selling out months in advance, the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo is a spectacular event taking place on the Castle Esplanade.

The Edge Music Festival TBC 2012
Adding alternative music to the August festival mix, The Edge Music Festival attracts A-list bands as part of its programme.

Festival of Spirituality and Peace TBC 2012

The Festival of Spirituality and Peace features music, dance, talks and other events highlighting humanitarian issues and causes.

Edinburgh International Festival 10 August – 2 September 2012
The one that started it all, the Edinburgh International Festival is a feast of world-class music, dance and theatrical performances.

Edinburgh International Book Festival 11 - 27 August 2012
This literary event attracts major names in the writing, publishing and political fields to the serene Charlotte Square Gardens setting.

Edinburgh Mela Festival 31 August  - 2nd September 2012

Celebrating the cultural diversity of the city, the Mela Festival brings colour and exotic flair to Edinburgh in August.

Scottish Story Telling Festival 19-28 October
Celebrating the great Scottish oral tradition, the Story Telling Festival showcases the talents of national bards, poets and tale-spinners.

Edinburgh’s Christmas TBC – late November – End Dec 2011
Edinburgh sparkles at Christmas and features events, attractions and shows for all the family to enjoy during the festival season.

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 30 December 2012 – 2 January 2013
End the year with the biggest street party in the world!

Ready to race - The Great Edinburgh Santa Run

Nearly 1500 Santas of all ages gathered in Princes St Gardens yesterday to raise money for children’s charity When You Wish Upon a Star – and have a great time into the bargain!

The weather was kind as Santas of all ages assembled at the Ross Bandstand, where UK Zumba expert Donna Giffen led a sea of red and white through a limb-loosening warmup.

The race was then on as the Santas followed the route round the Gardens and onto the pedestrianised Princes Street before returning to the Ross Bandstand to receive their winner’s medals.

This year’s Great Edinburgh Santa Run was a fantastic event, which also showed the true spirit of Christmas by helping to benefit children with life-threatening diseases.

Did you take part? Maybe you’ll spot yourself in our video and photo gallery!

Photo gallery

Hogmanay Fireworks

Every year at Hogmanay, the eyes of the world look to Edinburgh for an example of how to bring the new year in with a bang. This year will be no exception, as the stroke of midnight will see the longest running firework display yet staged in the celebrations’ 19-year history.

Auld acquaintances - Frisky & Mannish

That will be preceded – and followed – by the much-loved Street Party which this year features headliners Primal Scream and The Vaccines; as well as more traditional fare from Capercaillie and Peatbog Faeries. The seven music stages in and around Princes St Gardens will provide entertainment for all tastes – our friends and Fringe favourites Frisky & Mannish will even be putting in a poptastic appearance!

With the world’s largest rendition of Auld Lang Syne, the outdoor Keilidh in the Gardens, and an aftershow party at the HMV Picture House: this year’s Street Party looks set to be one of the biggest and best yet! And even those unable to attend in person can get in on the fun, as this year the celebration will be streamed live on the web for the first time.

Those seeking music of a more classical kind are also catered for, with a Candlelit Concert at St Giles’ Cathedral at 7.30pm on the 31st, where the sounds of the cathedral’s organ and choir will bid farewell to 2011 to the music of Handel and Mozart.

On the night before Hogmanay itself, the popular Torchlight Procession returns, getting the new year celebrations off to a fiery start with a procession from the Royal Mile to Calton Hill, where a stunning son et lumière show will entertain the torch-carrying crowds.

Then, for those still feeling like some fun after the 31st, 2012 sees the inaugural New Year Games taking place on the afternoon of 1st January, where Scottish artists and game designers Hide & Seek will use Edinburgh as a giant playground in a friendly battle between the Uppies and the Doonies.

Traditional Hogmanay street games will be reinterpreted with giant boardgames, secret missions and more, at installations in St Giles’ Cathedral, Dancebase, The Hub and the National Museum of Scotland. This event sounds like it will be the perfect way to see in 2012 with some fun and games!

The Loony Dook

Or, if you’re feeling hardier, you could always take a dip in the January waters of the Forth, at the famous Loony Dook in South Queensferry. Or, like us, watch them from one of the many vantage points then retire somewhere cosy for a New Year pick-me-up!

The Filmhouse are also celebrating Hogmanay with Let’s Play Film, a homage to Edinburgh as inspiration to movies, with showings of Trainspotting, The 39 Steps and more – including what promises to be a fascinating showing of some rare Edinburgh archive footage on 1st January at 4pm.

Music, movies, fireworks, fun & games: Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2011/2012 looks all set to live up to its tagline this year: Let’s Play!

Full details of all events can be found on the Edinburgh Hogmanay website

Sweet treats at the Traditional German Christmas Market

The Traditional German Christmas Market is now a much-loved feature of Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations.

Situated on the Mound Precinct, the wooden chalet-style stalls sell a wide range of decorations – traditional and modern – and a wonderful selection of food and drink. The stallholders from Frankfurt are friendly and happy to tell you more about their produce – though by now the Glühwein needs no introduction!

After dark, the Market looks beautiful, with the lights on the stalls adding to the atmosphere of Edinburgh’s ‘Christmas central’ between the Mound and Waverley Bridge.

We visited during the day, however, when the twinkling lights were just as attractive – as were the aromas coming from the food stalls and the punch cauldrons!

The Traditional German Christmas Market will be at the Mound Precinct until Christmas Eve. It opens at 10am every day, closing at 8pm Sun-Wed; and 10pm Thu-Sat (8pm on Christmas Eve)

Gallery

St Andrew's Day celebrations finale

A large crowd braved the cold last night to help bring Edinburgh’s St Andrew’s Day celebrations to a spectacular close.

The Castle Esplanade was brought to life in a dramatic display of fire and ice. Local schoolchildren clutched their handmade lanterns as the Stockbridge Pipe Band played a selection of tunes in front of the ice sculptures which had been on display all weekend.

This was followed by a fascinating and stirring sound and light show celebrating Scotland’s heritage, with live narration accompanied by a lone piper and video projections on the Castle ramparts.

Two giant thistle fire sculptures then burst into flame before the main event: a stunning 15-minute long firework display from Edinburgh Castle itself.

Part of Edinburgh’s Winter Festivals, the St Andrew’s Day celebration finale proved to be a spectacular event, worthy of the nation’s capital.

St Andrew’s Day itself falls on 30 November

Gallery

All set for some festive cheer aboard the Royal Yacht

The Royal Yacht Britannia provides a fascinating day out at any time of year, and is one of our recommended Edinburgh attractions.

On the weekend of 3rd and 4th December, the spirit of Christmas will be stepping aboard the vessel, as the yacht’s State Apartments will be adorned with decorations fit for a Queen.

In accordance with naval tradition, a Christmas tree will also be placed on the bridge; and complimentary mulled wine and shortbread will be available in the Chief Petty Officers’ Mess.

Additionally, there will be a selection of seasonal tastings in Britannia’s well-stocked gift shop; as well as discounts on its range of high quality and original items: ideal for some last-minute Christmas shopping.

To get a glimpse of how the Royal Family may have celebrated Christmases past on the ocean waves, Britannia will be open from 10.00am on Saturday 3rd and 4th December (with a last admission time of 3.30pm). More details are available on their website.

We’re glad Jenners have kept the tradition of their giant Christmas Tree alive – Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas in Edinburgh without it!

Jenners Christmas Tree

Santa welcomes the media to the Ghilie Dhu

The Ghilie Dhu provided a little corner of festive respite from a wet November morning today, as it played host to the press launch of Edinburgh’s Christmas.

This year’s celebrations look all set to be the biggest and brightest yet, with the welcome return of some old favourites and the addition of some innovative and exciting-sounding new attractions.

Things will get started in style on November 24th with Light Night, a spectacular opening event which commences with a light projection on the buildings of George Street, followed by pyrotechnics and street theatre: including a fourteen foot-high Snow Queen, who will lead the crowd to the Mound, where Edinburgh’s much-loved Norwegian Christmas Tree will be switched on.

Edinburgh's Lord Provost, Councillor George Grubb welcomes the Snow Queen

Revellers will be spoiled for choice afterwards: with a Norwegian carol concert at St Giles; a music and talent show in St Andrew’s Square; and the ever-popular Christmas Fair, Ice Rink and Christmas Markets, which all open for business on the same day (November 24th).

The Christmas Fair returns this year

St Andrew’s Day will be celebrated on the 26th and 27th of November, with a ‘fire and frost spectacular’ at Edinburgh Castle, featuring a host of events culminating in a finale on the evening of the 27th full of fire and light. The free celebrations for St Andrew’s Day sound like a perfect way to get ready for all the Christmas fun in the month to follow.

And December sees the arrival of a very special visitor. We can’t wait to welcome Santa back to East Princes Street Gardens, where he will arrive on a reindeer-drawn sleigh on Saturday 3rd, making regular visits up until Christmas Eve to collect letters from his postboxes beside the ice rink and the Highland Village Christmas Market.

Then, on Sunday 11th December, Princes Street Gardens will be a sea of red and white as The Great Edinburgh Santa Run returns, kicking off this year with a mass Christmas Zumba warm-up!

The Great Edinburgh Santa Run

Princes Street will be a focal point for many activities this year, with parts of the street being pedestrianised to allow locals and visitors alike to enjoy all Edinburgh has to offer at Christmas time. Shops will open up until 9pm; buskers and performers will add to the fun; and alfresco drinking and dining will be available for those wishing to soak up the atmosphere.

The popular Nativity Scene sculpture returns to St Andrew’s Square to remind us of the true meaning of Christmas; and a Nativity Carol Concert will take place beside it on Sunday 27th November, giving you the chance to sing along to favourite carols and celebrate the start of the season.

With a whole number of events taking place across the city, including the Royal Yacht, the Botanics, The National Museum of Scotland and a special Edinburgh Sparkles treasure hunt: the city looks set to celebrate Christmas in style. Add in all the pantos, musical events and church carol concerts, and we think Christmas 2011 is going to be a magical one indeed!

A full list of attractions, events, times and ticket prices can be found on the Edinburgh’s Christmas website.

Join the Snow Queen on 24 November, when Edinburgh's Christmas opens

Edinburgh’s Hogmanay is where Edinburgh plays host to the world’s best new year celebrations and this year is no different, with a programme of fabulous events for everyone to enjoy from the 30th December 2010 through til 2nd January 2011. 

As well as the famous Street Party and the Concert In The Gardens, there’s a whole host of other activities planned to herald the start of 2011. 

Read our daily guides to what’s on around town. Links will open in new windows and events are listed in chronological order.   Articles will be updated as events are added. 

Links to daily guides below  

 What’s on Thursday 30th December 2010 

What’s on Friday 31st December 2010 

What’s on Saturday 1st January 2011 

What’s on Sunday 2nd January 2011 

Photo copyright Edinburgh's Hogmanay

The Edinburgh’s Hogmanay box office is now open for all your ticketing needs.  Download the full brochure here which includes a map.  (PDF document, opens in new window). 

The full event list can be found at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website.

Edinburgh's Hogmanay

All events are subject to change due to inclement weather.  Please check through links and local press if weather is bad.

Camera Obscura. Royal Mile.  10am-5pm.    

Edinburgh Zoo.  Corstorphine Road.  9.30am – 4.30pm.    Tickets only £5.

Edinburgh Castle.  9.30am – 4.15 pm (last admission).    Daft days, meet Mary Queen of Scots and her lady in waiting.  11am-4.30pm.

Royal Botanical Gardens. 10am – 4pm.    

Royal Yacht Britannia. 10am – 3.30pm (last admission)    

Edinburgh’s Ice Rink.  10am – 8pm.  Prices vary.    

Edinburgh’s Christmas fair.  10am-10pm.  Ride the Big Wheel for spectacular views of Edinburgh, or have a shot on the Christmas Carousel.  Prices vary.    

Hogmanay Carnival, Market Street.  11am-11pm, prices vary    

Music Fair, The Lot, Grassmarket  11am – 4pm.  Selling vinyl and CDs   

Jack and the Beanstalk, King’s Theatre.  2pm & 7pm    

The Secret Garden, Edinburgh Festival Theatre.  2.30pm & 7.30pm.    

Film Season – Trainspotting, Filmhouse Cinema  4pm & 8.45pm    

Opening Night in Resolution Square.  5pm-9pm   New event to mark the launch for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay.  Enjoy a feast of music, entertainment, fire and fireworks.  FREE.    

Torchlight procession.  6.30pm.  Watch for free as this river of lights leave Parliament Square for Calton Hill.  Torches available for £6 in advance, or £7 on the night. Proceeds this year go to Forth One Cash For Kids and Barnardo’s Scotland    

The Snow Queen, Lyceum Theatre.  2.30pm & 7pm.     

Hairpsray The Musical.  Edinburgh Playhouse, prices vary. 7.30pm    

Scottish Fiddle Orchestra, Usher Hall.  7.30pm, prices vary. 

Son et Lumiére Finale   7.45pm, Calton Hill.  The spectacular Son et Lumiére light and firework display, signals the beginning of the four day Edinburgh’s Hogmanay festival.  FREE.    

Ceilidh Club with Heeliegoleerie, The Lot, Grassmarket  8pm – 11pm.  £6 from Edinburgh Ceilidhs   

Further details and ticket information available at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website.    

Torchlight procession

All events are subject to change due to inclement weather.  Please check through links and local press if weather is bad.

Camera Obscura. Royal Mile.  10am-5pm.   

Edinburgh Zoo.  Corstorphine Road.  9.30am – 4.30pm.    Tickets only £5.

Edinburgh Castle.  9.30am – 4.15 pm (last admission).    Daft days, meet Mary Queen of Scots and her lady in waiting.  11am-4.30pm.

Royal Botanical Gardens. 10am – 4pm.   

Royal Yacht Britannia. 10am – 3.30pm (last admission)   

Edinburgh’s Ice Rink.  10am – 6pm.  Prices vary.   

Edinburgh’s Christmas fair.  10am-8pm.  Ride the Big Wheel for spectacular views of Edinburgh, or have a shot on the Christmas Carousel.  Prices vary.   

Hogmanay Carnival, Market Street.  11am-11pm, prices vary   

Jack and the Beanstalk, King’s Theatre.  1pm & 5pm.   

Film Season – Shallow Grave, Filmhouse Cinema  1.45pm & 7pm   

Musical Walking Tour from Oor Tours and Graeme E Pearson.  2pm, £10 including a nip.  Our review.  Sensible shoes required.

Family Ceilidh, National Museum of Scotland.   2pm – 1.35pm.   FREE.  

The Secret Garden, Edinburgh Festival Theatre.  2.30pm.   

The Snow Queen, Lyceum Theatre.  2.30pm.   

Candlelit concert. St Giles Cathedral.  7.30pm – 9pm.  £16.  A festive celebration in the candlelit atmosphere of St Giles’ Cathedral.  This year’s concert celebrates the music of J.S. Bach and Mozart. Two seasonal cantatas, ‘Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ’ and ‘Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme’, from the Baroque master are partnered
by Mozart’s Coronation Mass.   

Rick’s Hogmanay Party 8pm – 3am. Cocktails from around the world for £5 each.  Starting off with Dubai at 8pm followed by other cities & countries every hour; Moscow, Capetown, Paris, Edinburgh, Azores Islands and Rio de Janiero.  Standard entry tickets are complimentary, contact Rick’s.

Grand Hogmanay Ball, Sheraton Hotel.  8.30pm – 1am.   Live music, traditional Scottish elements with some ceilidh dancing and a piper.  Haggis, neeps and tatties included in your ticket price. Shimmering 5 star city centre venue with a view of the fireworks  

Graeme E Pearson at the Waterline Pub, The Shore.  Traditional Scottish singing from a tall man in tartan breeks.  What more do you need to bring the New Year in?  Our review of his singing.  FREE entry.

Vegas!  Grand Hogmanay Ball, Ocean Terminal.  9pm-3am.  Tickets from £30. 

Hogmanay Street Party.  Stages live 9pm-1am — £15 administration fee.  Featuring The Kaiser Chiefs, The Coral, Goldie Looking Chain.  No admission after 11pm.   

Concert in the Gardens with Biffy Clyro Princes St Gardens – 9pm-1am.  Only Gardens tickets left.  Also featuring Charlatans & Billy Bragg.   

The Keilidh, Mound Precinct. 9pm-1am – £30 + booking fee. No recommended for under 16s.  Welcome 2011 in style as you birl through the bells at the The Keilidh, the outdoor ceilidh experience set within an exclusive area of the Edinburgh’s Hogmanay Street Party. Featuring the very best in traditional Scottish music, a Ceilidh Caller to teach you the moves, exclusive food and drink area and incredible views of the spectacular Midnight Fireworks.   

Fireworks.  Midnight.  To bring in 2011, fireworks are let off from Edinburgh Castle and Calton Hill.  Can be viewed from around town.  FREE.   

Free buses from Lothian Buses and RBS

Lothian Buses are providing FREE buses home on the 1st from 12.15am – 4am.  Click on this link to find a map of departure points and this link for the services that are running.   

Further details and ticket information available at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website.   

Edinburgh's Hogmanay

All events are subject to change due to inclement weather.  Please check through links and local press if weather is bad.

1.1.11

Camera Obscura. Royal Mile.  10am-5pm. 

Edinburgh Zoo.  Corstorphine Road.  9.30am – 4.30pm.    Tickets only £5.

Edinburgh Castle.  9.30am – 4.15 pm (last admission).  Happy Old Year 11am – 3pm. Help celebrate the year just past. Discern the fine dishes of spicy 16th-century food; admire the application of 16th-century make-up and tremble before a demonstration of the Royal Guard’s armour and weaponry.

Horseracing at Musselburgh.  Doors open 10.30am, first race 12.20pm.  Tickets £18. 

Hogmanay Carnival, Market Street.  11am-11pm. Prices vary. 

Edinburgh’s Ice Rink.  12noon – 10pm.  Prices vary. 

Edinburgh’s Christmas fair.  12noon – 10pm.  Ride the Big Wheel for spectacular views of Edinburgh, or have a shot on the Christmas Carousel.  Prices vary. 

The One O’Clock Run.  Suitable for all the family, check in from 11am and warm up from 12.30pm.  Blow off the cobwebs and run down the Royal Mile.  Buy tickets early, places are limited.  £8 including t-shirt which must be worn. 

Resolution Square music and poetry. Stage live 1pm – 6pm.  Mound Precinct by the National Galleries.  FREE.Specially commissioned Haikus – one-versed poems evoking single moments – from some of Scotland’s leading writers and poets on screens on the Royal Scottish Academy. Resolution Songs. Main Stage 1pm – 2pm & 4.45pm – 6pm. Five of Scotland’s foremost singer-songwriters perform specially written Resolution Songs for Edinburgh’s Hogmanay along with some of their well known work. Main Stage 2pm – 4.45pm. Exclusive performances from Scotland’s 2010 award-winning musicians. 

Film season – Hallam Foe, Filmhouse Cinema.  1.45pm & 7pm. 

A New Year’s Day Conversation  2pm.  Hawthornden Lecture Theatre 2pm–3.15pm. National Gallery of Scotland, The Mound.  £10.  The hugely popular New Year’s Day Conversation welcomes Scotland’s award-winning crime writers Ian Rankin and Lin Anderson to talk about Edinburgh, an inspirational city to literature and art, in the past, the present and the future. 

The Loony Dook, South Queensferry.  2.30pm. £6.  Tickets MUST be bought in advance this year.  Start 2011 with a chilly dip into the water – a great event and one to remember. 

Resolution Concert – 5pm – 8pm.  £11 + booking fee. New event for 2011.  KT Tunstall takes to the stage at West Princes Street Gardens along with King Creosote, Kassidy, Silver Columns. 

Hogmanay Carnival, Market Street.  11am-11pm, prices vary 

Further details and ticket information available at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website. 

Edinburgh's Hogmanay

All events are subject to change due to inclement weather.  Please check through links and local press if weather is bad.

Camera Obscura. Royal Mile.  10am-5pm.  

Edinburgh Zoo.  Corstorphine Road.  9.30am – 4.30pm.    Tickets only £5. 

Edinburgh Castle.  9.30am – 4.15 pm (last admission).   Happy Old Year 11am – 3pm. Help celebrate the year just past. Discern the fine dishes of spicy 16th-century food; admire the application of 16th-century make-up and tremble before a demonstration of the Royal Guard’s armour and weaponry.
 

Royal Botanical Gardens. 10am – 4pm.  

Royal Yacht Britannia. 10am – 3.30pm (last admission)  

Edinburgh’s Ice Rink.  10am – 8pm.  Prices vary.  

Edinburgh’s Christmas fair.  10am-10pm.  Ride the Big Wheel for spectacular views of Edinburgh, or have a shot on the Christmas Carousel.  Prices vary.  

Hogmanay Carnival, Market Street.  11am-11pm, prices vary  

Jack & the Beanstalk, King’s Theatre. 1pm & 5pm.  

Hairpsray The Musical.  Edinburgh Playhouse, prices vary.  2.30pm & 7.30pm.  

Film Season – Restless Natives, Filmhouse Cinema.  1.45pm & 8.45pm.  

Film Season – Edinburgh from the Archives, Filmhouse Cinema.  4pm  

Edinburgh Rugby V Glasgow Warriors.  Murrayfield Stadium. 5.35pm.  Prices vary.  

Further details and ticket information available at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website.  

Edinburgh's Hogmanay

Oor Tours and Graeme E Pearson are conducting their fabulous walking tour on Hogmanay!  We reviewed this tour previously and think it would be a fabulous way to kick start celebrations into 2011. 

Starting at 2pm on 31^st December 2010, tickets are £10 and include a nip of whisky. If you and a group of friends want to book a Hogmanay Tour get in touch.  

email: ask@oortours.com Tel: +44 (0) 7817 362171 

Spaces are limited.  

Graeme Pearson

 

After yesterday’s popular pictures in the snow we took a few snaps this morning to capture Edinburgh on St Andrew’s Day 2010. 

Edinburgh Castle, St Andrew's Day 2010

Edinburgh Castle from the wheel

Old Town and Arthur's Seat

St Giles Cathedral

Castle from Princes Street Gardens

Old Town from Princes Street Gardens

Inverleith Park swans on a frozen pond

Snowed in mini

The Edinburgh Ice Rink from up high

Princes Street Gardens during snow flurry

Dog statue under snow

Balmoral Hotel Christmas decorations

Edinburgh’s Christmas kicked off in style Thursday night with the help of the French street theatre company, ‘Transe Express’, which provided a spectacular aerial performance to light the Norwegian Christmas Tree and thousands of lights throughout Princes Street Gardens.

Photos copyright of Angela Bonnar and Edinburgh Spotlight.

Transe Express

High up in the cold Edinburgh air

And the lights are on

Fireworks

Christmas angel

Christmas carousel

Panto season is about to begin in Edinburgh once more, but Jack and the Beanstalk at the King’s Theatre is our firm favourite.  Rehearsals have started and I was lucky enough to speak to director and lead members of the cast over dinner at Gusto in George Street.

With a spring in their step, the foursome walk into the restaurant and greet one another like they haven’t seen each other for months: but in reality it’s only been a couple of hours.  There’s no hiding the firm friendship between Allan Stewart, Andy Gray and Grant Stott as they bounce off each other all evening, with director Paul Elliot chipping in with memories and one-liners that had everyone in stitches.

Andy, Grant, Allan and Paul

I had intended to ask a series of set questions, but that plan soon went out the window as they started recalling stories from previous pantos, the overgrown boys trying to show each other up with outrageous tales of what really goes on behind the scenes.

This year sees Paul produce the panto for the 9th time and he is extremely happy with the script which he has been working on since April.  Nothing is repeated in panto land, with all ideas fresh and current.  It’s certainly going to be interesting to see a 40 foot beanstalk and a 30 foot giant grace the stage.

Baby-faced Allan

Holding my hands over my ears, I try not to listen when they talk about specific scenes they are rehearsing – I want everything to be a surprise when I go and watch it.  It’s been a firm fixture in our family for years and despite my 30 something years, I wouldn’t miss it for the world – it’s not just for children, adults can enjoy a trip to the panto too.

Allan Stewart who is playing Dame Trot,  looks at least 15 years younger than his age of 60 and puts it down to his healthy lifestyle.  He tells me: “It’s hard work performing for 7 weeks with very little time off, so I’ve been walking everywhere and watching what I eat to build up my stamina.”  

It was the first time I had met Stewart in person and was strange to see him out of a frock and not speaking like a woman.  His skin is the envy of women across the land and he lets me into the secret that as well as good genes he’s using Keihl’s Face Fuel.  

Allan tells me that he was as gobsmacked as anyone when Susan Boyle turned up at a performance at last year’s pantomime and joined him on stage as he impersonated her.  I asked him if there was a chance that this year’s ‘target’ could turn up and he winked at me and said “it’s rumoured that she’s a local now, so who knows?”

Andy Gray is delighted to be back in Edinburgh as King Crumble and I’m shot down in flames by the others when I said it would be excellent this year, now that the trio are back together again (insinuating it wasn’t excellent before).  I quickly justify myself, but my cards are marked.  Andy does no special training prior to rehearsals apart from a ‘vitamin regime’ but he adds, “I just give up my galaxy caramels and the routine of the panto keeps the weight off anyway.”

Andy's back

He’s genuinely delighted to have returned to work with his friends.  “It’s like I’ve never been away” he tells me as Allan and Grant look on and express how happy they are he’s back.  When asking all of them what they do on their few days off during the panto run, spending time with family is the answer.  Andy and Allan live in Edinburgh for the duration with director Paul returning to London to keep his eye on his many other theatre projects.  “When the directors away………” they all laugh, nudging each other to say that everything goes to plan in his absence.  I’m  not convinced with this trio and their power to ad lib.  Paul continues to eat his food and keeps quiet, he knows after 9 years of working with them what they are truly like.

Although Grant Stott lives in Edinburgh with his family he almost has us reaching for the violins when he tells us he doesn’t get a single day off apart from Christmas Day and New Year’s day.  “Aaaaawwwwww” we all tell him, but as Edinburgh people know, he’s got his daily Radio Forth show to do as well as his many charity events he helps out with.  Sporting a dodgy-looking Movember moustache, the ardent Hibee says, “there won’t be a Hearts strip on my body ever again in panto, I’ve still got the rash from last time” he jests.  “But there’s certainly a few references to that part of town this year, shall we say”.  

Taking on the role of Fleshcreep the baddie, I ask him if he’s booed when spotted in the flesh. “Yes, I am and it took me a while to work out a few years back that it was because of the panto”.  He recalls a booing incident at a charity event and says “it must’ve been because I play the baddie” as Allan nudges me and says “that’s the story he’s going with”.

Grant with his Movember moustache

There’s no doubting that trio are firm friends and bounce ideas off each other to produce the best pantomime they can under the watchful eye of their director.  “We’re so lucky to have a job to wake up to in the morning that we genuinely love” Allan states, as Andy says “yes, yes” and goes off on a tangent quoting his own catch phrase “I’m no very well”.

I certainly knew it wasn’t going to be a straightforward interview as they jostled to see what notes I made when they went slightly ‘off the wrong direction’ shall we say.   It was a pleasure to meet Paul, the talented director of this venue’s Pantomime and tell him how much Edinburgh people love his work.  I inform him that the mini-Spotlight members quote from the panto all year round and he smiles and acknowledges that he loves his job too.

The King’s Theatre pantomime is not to be missed in the Edinburgh calendar  and is guaranteed to leave the theatre beaming after sharing in an extravaganza that has delighted audiences for years.

Break a leg boys!

You can buy tickets for the pantomime through the King’s Theatre box office.  Jack and the Beanstalk runs from  Saturday 4 December 2010 to Sunday 23 January 2011. Start your vocal warm ups of ‘he’s behind you’ and be prepared to hold your sides with laughter no matter what your age is.

Thank you to the staff of Gusto, George Street for hosting us all and supplying the excellent food and service.

Where's ma wine? The trio back together

Edinburgh Wheel 2010

One of the most recognisable attractions of Edinburgh’s Christmas is the 33-metre Edinburgh Wheel, situated next to the equally distinctive Scott Monument in East Princes Street Gardens.

Ascending above the nearby activities, markets and Princes Street in the wheel is now a firmly established family festive favourite and the views from the top are breathtaking.

At weekends and peak times, you may have to queue for a while before enjoying your ride, but it’s worth it – and as other attractions such as the Christmas Carousel and Highland Christmas Village Market are right next to it, the atmosphere is still fun and enjoyable.

As with many of Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions, riding the Wheel at night can be a spectacular experience, when everything around is glittering and sparkling with lights and decorations.

Opens 25th November 2010.

Edinburgh Wheel at night (2009 photo)

Edinburgh's Nativity Scene

A feature of Edinburgh’s Christmas since 2003, Tim Chalk’s Nativity Scene this year returns to its home in St Andrew Square gardens.

Although it attracted some initial criticism and controversy when first installed above the Floral Clock in Princes Street Gardens, the piece is now as much a part of the city’s Christmas as the Edinburgh Wheel or the Norwegian Tree on the Mound.

A life-size sculpture, it depicts a family taking shelter in a ramshackle shed, with the Mary figure clutching her newborn child close, a look of forlorn contemplation on her face. Tim Chalk, the sculptor, aimed to have his piece provoke question and challenge by shying away from the traditional representation of the scene, instead presenting a timeless and poignant work which could be placed anywhere at any time.

The Nativity Scene will be on display from November 28th until 4th January in St Andrew Square.

Edinburgh’s Christmas  is almost upon us once more, where you will be able to see Santa collect his letters daily, skate in Princes Street Gardens and shop for presents at the German Market amongst many other choices. 

Mini Spotlight members meeting Santa last year

This year is the 25th anniversary of the tree being gifted to the city by the people of Hordaland in Norway which will give the celebrations a special poignancy in marking the special relationship between the two countries. 

We are especially looking forwards to  ‘Light Night’ on 25 November which will include entertaining street theatre and an awe-inspiring aerial display to light Edinburgh’s main Christmas tree. 

Cadbury and Nintendo have signed up to take part with their own special attractions and we wait in anticipation for the magical chocolate workshop. 

The Great Santa Run is taking place on Sunday 12th December and is fun for all the family.  The Edinburgh Wheel is back with prices remaining unchanged from 2009.  Also back this year, is the Snow Globe  which was a novel way to have your Christmas photo taken. 

Shoppers have the German Market to look forward to as well as the Highland Village Christmas Market and the Ethical Christmas Market.  Edinburgh Farmer’s Market are having an extra pre-Christmas market on Thursday 23rd December 9am – 2pm. 

You can read the entire programme of events in the enviromentally friendly e-brochure (PDF document, opens in new window). 

Winter Wonderland

Edinburgh Sparkles has information on all the events over the 6 weeks of festivities, but you can also look at Edinburgh’s Hogmanay website. 

We’ll be bringing you reviews and photos of everything that’s going on and can’t wait for it all to begin!  Look at our Christmas 2009 coverage here to get a flavour of the festivities ahead. 

You can also follow Edinburgh’s Christmas on twitter and facebook and be kept up to date of all things Christmas as well as some fantastic competitions.  The ice rink even has its own twitter account this year. 

If you’re visiting Edinburgh for the first time, you will find this map handy to work out where everything is.  Wrap up warm as if it’s anything like last winter, it’s going to be cold, but a whole lot of fun! 

Santa Run in Princes Street Gardens