Going for the annual Christmassy visit to the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh has been a tradition for many, and this year will be no different. The experience transports guests into another fairy-tale-like world, sparking that magical feeling of childhood wonder to everyone who enters. Christmas at the Botanics is back for one more year with some festive favourites at its finest once more.
The one-mile trail is here between November 16 and December 30, taking guests on a magical journey filled with festive cheer. On top of Christmas at the Botanics favourites such as the tunnel of sparkling lights, the colourful projection onto the front of Inverleith House and the captivating Christmas Cathedral, brand new light installations will be unravelled throughout.
Some new installations will be revealed for the dreamers out there, like the enchanting gravity-defying Dragonflies suspended over the Botanic Pond, as well as the magical Light a Wish dandelions floating from the trees.
The Fire Garden made a glorious return to the trail this year, including over a hundred glowing cans of light and the newly-introduced Fire Dancers, inspired by the joy of Christmas memories. Creating a warm and cosy illusion surrounded by the brisk Edinburgh air, the fiery design is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Christmas at the Botanics attracted around 90,000 visitors last year, and the trail will certainly remain a hit this year. However, it is open on selected days, so be sure to book well in advance as usual.
Raoul Curtis-Machin, Director of Horticulture and Visitor Experience at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, says: “Christmas at the Botanics is a fantastic way of introducing our visitors to the Garden landscape after dark, a chance to experience what might be familiar from a whole new perspective, and to enjoy a spectacular and fun trail.”
“I’m delighted that this year’s trail is inspired by all things botanical, acknowledging the amazing conservation work undertaken by the Garden around the world and our vision to build a positive future for plants, people and the planet.”
Plus, this year, Christmas At The Botanics has introduced off-peak tickets on selected evenings in November and December, allowing more people to enjoy the festive fun without breaking the bank.