Edinburgh Airport now available in purple – Santas on the loose – Christmas shopping event – Charity campaigner pleads not guilty – At The Cameo this evening
Edinburgh Airport has changed owners, and to mark the change, the airport has launched a new logo. You can let them know what you think here on their Facebook page and also see some photos of the tower all lit up in purple.
One new feature we noticed the other day was the water fountains just past security to refill your water bottles. Although we thought you would have to give up the water bottle before security (except if it is less than 100ml….) it is an interesting idea, and of course cheaper than buying all that bottled water.
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If you are in town tomorrow you will be forgiven if you think you are seeing things.
There will be a flurry of red and white across Edinburgh this weekend, as not just Santa himself, but many hundreds of lookalikes, descend upon the city.
Santa weekend kicks off later today, as the man himself makes his grand arrival on a reindeer-drawn sleigh. Celebrations start at 5:00pm in St Andrew Square Garden, with special performances by gymnastic elves, sugar plum fairies and a Brazilian Samba Band, getting the crowd in the Christmas spirit, ready to welcome Santa. This will be followed by a festive sleigh parade along George Street, as Santa waves and rings his bell, bringing more Christmas cheer to the capital.
After the spectacular parade, Santa will return to St Andrew Square Garden to tend to his reindeer and meet some of his young visitors. The reindeer are making a welcome return to the city this year, and will be available to visit in St Andrew Square Garden between 11:00am and 3:00pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday leading up to Christmas.
More Santas will be coming to town tomorrow, as volunteer Santas head to West Princes Street Gardens for the tenth Great Edinburgh Santa Run. The run turns the city centre into a sea of red and white, as Santas of all ages run, jog or walk their way around the 1.5km circuit of West Princes Street Gardens, to raise money for the When You Wish Upon a Star foundation. The funds raised from this appeal will be used to send children with life-threatening illnesses to Lapland this festive period.
Registration opens at 9:00am in West Princes Street Gardens by the Ross Bandstand, followed by a fun, interactive warm-up session at 10.00am ready for the run to start at 11:00am.
Commenting on the weekend’s festivities, Lord Provost, Rt Hon Donald Wilson said, “Once again, we have an action-packed weekend ahead of us, filled with festive fun for all the family. Our ongoing programme of fantastic, often quirky, Christmas events provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy Edinburgh at its most magical.”
Nickie Gott, managing director of She’s Gott It!, Edinburgh’s Christmas producers, added: “Santa’s arrival and the Great Edinburgh Santa Run are always incredible events, and are two of the most popular of the festive programme. Come and get in the Christmas spirit with Santa – or as Santa – this weekend!”
Santa will be returning to the city every day from 9 December through to Christmas Eve, as he collects his mail from the post-boxes at the Highland Market and the ice rink at 11:00am and 4:00pm. After collecting his post, Santa will make his way to the entrance of the 3D cinema, to tell children some stories of Christmas past.
Full details of all Christmas events, along with timings and prices, can be found at www.edinburghschristmas.com. For more information or to register for the Santa Run, please visit www.thesantarun.org.uk.
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The Assembly Rooms have been in touch to tell us what is on there this weekend.
Christmas Shopping Festival at The Assemby Rooms features over 50 exhibitors offering a unique shopping experience and family day out. Show features include a festive shopping area showcasing unique gift ideas including handmade products, jewellery, health and beauty ranges, delicious food, a brilliant festive bar serving a wide range of alcoholic drinks, teas & coffees, a fantastic Santa’s grotto and live Chef demonstrations in the fantastic festive cookery theatre showcasing leading award-winning chef’s demoing seasonal recipes and much more.
Leading Chef demos during the weekend featuring Paul Hart, Executive Chef – Scotsman Hotel, Jason Wright, Head Chef – Steak Edinburgh, Rosario Sartore Head Chef Locanda De Gusti and award-winning Chef Mark Greenaway
Edinburgh festival – Saturday 8th & Sunday 9th December, The Assembly Rooms, George Street 11:30am-4:30pm
You can purchase your tickets on the weekend or pre book on their website –http://christmasshoppingfestival.com/#/tickets/4570513219
Adult – £5
Concessions – £3
Under 12s – FREE
Child Grotto Ticket – £5
www.christmasshoppingfestival.com
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Elaine McGonigle has pleaded not guilty at Edinburgh Sheriff Court yesterday to 13 charges of fraud over expenses claimed while she worked for the New Pyjamas campaign raising money for the Sick Kids. The BBC report that she will face trial in May next year.
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At The Cameo this evening they are showing Bad Santa, one of our favourite Billy Bob films. You can book tickets here for the film which starts at 22:30 tonight.
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
