New organisers of Edinburgh's Christmas festival reveal city centre expansion plans

Brian Ferguson
By Brian Ferguson
Published 2nd Aug 2022, 04:55 BST
Updated 2nd Aug 2022, 07:57 BST
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now
The new organisers of Edinburgh's Christmas festival have revealed plans to expand the city's festive markets in both the Old and New towns when the event returns this year.

New sites at Parliament Square and Castle Street are being planned for an "artisan market" and a dedicated market for Scottish produce.

Other markets will be returning to East and West Princes Street Gardens, as well as the Mound precinct, for the festival, which is being taken over by the firm behind the Christmas markets in London’s Hyde Park.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

German firm Angel Events Experience, which won the right to produce the festival from long-time Fringe operators Underbelly, were previously involved in supplying and managing the Christmas markets in Edinburgh.

Read More
Festival chief floats Granton expansion vision has he urges Edinburgh not to res...

It has agreed to pay the council more than £1.08 million a year for up to five years for the right to run festive markets, rides and attractions in the city centre.

However, the German company insists it wants to work with local businesses on the festive markets in Edinburgh, including arts and craft makers, and food and drink producers.

The company is planning to create a new ‘Santa Land’ for the west gardens, where rides, games and installations will be introduced. Only the upper section of the east gardens will be used.