In just 77 nights, the eagerly awaited “Christmas at the Botanics” will illuminate the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with a breathtaking array of fresh, botanical-inspired installations, promising an enchanting after-dark experience for all who revel in the magic of the holiday season.
Running from 16 November to 30 December, Christmas at the Botanics will once again transform the Garden with a reimagined trail featuring new installations created by artists both local to Edinburgh and from around the world.
The latest new installations confirmed for the 2023 trail include:
- Dragonflies will appear to defy gravity as they are suspended over the serene Botanic Pond. This installation of six dragonflies measuring almost two metres in length has been created by local artist, Martha Ellis, has a studio in Edinburgh. Martha’s work takes inspiration from pop artist Roy Lichtenstein and contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.
- Fire Dancers will be part of this year’s Fire Garden and has been created by artist Maria Hingerty, previously associate director of The World Famous, one of the leading firework and pyrotechnic performance companies in the world. This unique installation takes inspiration from Maria’s own joyful memories of celebratory gatherings, representing the ideas of unity and hope that are associated with the festive period.
Also new for 2023 is the introduction of off-peak tickets. Available on selected evenings in November and December, these tickets enable visitors to make savings on their ticket purchase.
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.
“This year’s transformed Christmas at the Botanics trail promises our visitors a new and impressive nocturnal Garden exploration and will be a fabulous festive outing for friends and families. I am very proud of our team’s artistic and fun creations that bring together Christmas, plants, light, and creativity.
Commenting, Simon Milne, the Regius Keeper of the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
“The introduction of off-peak tickets will enable more people to join us this year, and it is important to note that all profits from Christmas at the Botanics will help advance our national and international plant research, conservation, and education programmes.”
Tickets for this year’s show are on sale. For further ticket information, pricing, and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas. Visitors are encouraged to book in advance to guarantee their preferred timeslot.
Christmas at the Botanics is one of nine illuminated trails staged across the UK by leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music. Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative. The 2022 trail at the Botanics attracted its biggest audience, welcoming more than 95,000 visitors over its six-week run.
For more details visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.
