THERE may be more than 80 sleeps until Christmas but festive fans are already making plans for the season.
And one of the country’s favourite events is back this year – with new features.
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Across Scotland, there are lots of fun events to choose from.
Now organisers of one of the biggest have announced plans for the 2024 instalment.
Christmas at the Botanics, held annually at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh, is preparing to immerse visitors in a glittering winter spectacle.
Running from November 21 to December 30, the outdoor trail will once again transform the garden with an array of fantastical installations that have been custom-designed especially for the Botanics by a selection of international and UK-based artists.
This year there will be some magical new features including one that will delight Harry Potter fans.
New for 2024 will be a floating candle display. They’ll drift over visitors creating a warm and festive atmosphere, transporting Potterheads to the world of witchcraft and wizardry, emulating the magic of Hogwarts’ Great Hall.
Meanwhile, there will be a One Small Thing installation which projects a combination of wildlife imagery and winter foliage with environmental messaging.
And finally, new for this year will be Firework Trees. These will shower shoots of light through tree branches, bringing them to life with vibrant bursts of colour that bounce from branch to branch.
All the new and returning installations along the one-mile illuminated trail are low in energy and have been selected to complement the Botanics’ environment.
Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh Simon Milne said: “I’m looking forward to seeing the new installations on the trail, which is promising to be innovative, imaginative and entertaining.
“Visiting the Garden after dark is a special experience and Christmas at the Botanics offers the chance for visitors to see our botanical collection of plants from a very different perspective.
“The trail brings significant benefits to us.
“We are a Scottish charity, and ticket sales from Christmas at the Botanics help to fund our international plant research, conservation work and education programmes.
“So please come along to the trail, bring your friends and family, have some festive fun and help to support our vital work.”
Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance to guarantee their preferred timeslot.
For further ticket information, pricing, and timings, log onto premier.ticketek.co.uk/shows.
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