This year 5000 tickets for Edinburgh’s Christmas attractions are being gifted to local community groups and charities to ensure those who are less fortunate can join in the fun as the city embraces the festive spirit.
UniqueAssembly, who produce Edinburgh’s Christmas on behalf of City of Edinburgh Council, have announced that applications are open for local groups and charities who work with disadvantaged people in the community to claim tickets for rides and attractions at this year’s event which will take in the Capital from Friday 17th November 2023 until Saturday 6th January 2024.
Applications can be made via the form on Edinburgh’s Christmas website, or via email at communities@unique-assembly.co.uk. Tickets will be limited per applicant/group, and applicants will be asked to include details of their organisational aims and how they would like to use the tickets.
Another Christmas initiative is the return of the annual Winter Windows schools competition, which will be even bigger this year with the number of winners doubled to 24. School children from across Edinburgh are encouraged to submit an artwork that represents their idea of winter and the festive season to be selected for display along walkways across the city. The winners’ artworks will also be showcased on Edinburgh’s Christmas social channels. Contact your school for more information.
Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations will also include open access to the iconic Ross Bandstand in West Princes Street Gardens which will host a community-focused programme of events in association with various local charity partners. Running for four weekends from 18th November till 10th December, there will be a mix of free and ticketed events.
Full details will be available on the Edinburgh’s Christmas website in coming weeks.
The spirit of giving and community continues with Social Bite’s Festival of Kindness, which includes the 10m tall Kindness Tree and Gift Donation point dedicated to spreading goodwill to those who need it most. Donations can be made to help provide thousands of Christmas dinners, food packs and gifts to homeless and vulnerable families, children, and individuals or for shelter to those without a roof over their heads this winter.
Residents with an EH postcode are eligible for a 20% discount on tickets to all of Edinburgh’s Christmas events. For further information, visit Edinburgh’s Christmas website edinburgh-christmas.com.
Irene Brown
Radio Summerhall Arts 