by Katrina Goldsmith
Edinburgh’s winter wonderland has been a must-see attraction for the city that will get anyone, even Christmas humbugs in the festive spirit.
It looked like this popular Christmas market may be taking a break this year with its lead investor, Angels Event Experience Ltd pulling out from the contract after it was due Edinburgh council £5.5 million to host Edinburgh’s Christmas festivities for the next 5 years.
Luckily for the wonderland admirers, the Edinburgh Christmas market will be going on this year with the group, Unique Assembly – formally known as Underbelly – producing this year’s festival. Unique Assembly is the company behind the production of Edinburgh’s Hogmanay celebrations in 2021.
This is a contract lasting for one year, a one-year extension has been offered to provide that pre-agreed performance terms and measures have been achieved.
This news will come as a relief to the local businesses and 70 stallholders who have already secured their spots for the Christmas market this year, allowing them to continue planning their stock and trade for the busy Christmas period.
This market this year will feature the return of favourite festive attractions such as the funfair, the big wheel, and the Christmas market in East and West Princes Street Gardens as well as on the Mound. There will be a return of the Christmas Ice Rink which was introduced for the first time on George Square last year.
The Christmas Wonderland will see attractions for families to enjoy with the return of “Santa Land” where children can visit Santa’s Grotto, explore the Christmas tree maze, and enjoy munching on festive foods and drinks.
Council leader, Cammy Day, stated in The Herald: “There’s no questioning the popularity of our Winter Festivals or the benefits they bring to the Capital – the enjoyment and wellbeing of our residents, but also the economic impact for our businesses and the city as a whole”.
“Crucially, the new plans will deliver on the key elements of our public consultation, including reduced use of green spaces, more accessible and family-friendly attractions, greater use of local traders and a more even spread around the city centre”.
“I have no doubt Unique Assembly will help us make it yet another great festive period for our Capital city.”