Christmas At The Botanics: Northern Lights inspired spectacle revealed for 2022
Aurora, recreating the stunning Aurora Borealis with dancing waves of colour, will be one of the dazzling new highlights at the sixth annual Christmas At The Botanics, it was revealed today.
The overhead piece, by UK artists ITHACA, will make its first ever appearance in Scotland at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, for a six weeks run, on selected evenings, November 17 to December 30, 2022.
BUY TICKETS: Tickets for this year’s show are on sale now. For further ticket information, pricing and timings, please visit www.rbge.org.uk/christmas.
With fewer than 200 sleeps before the big switch on visitors are being encouraged to book in advance to avoid disappointment, with popular early evening and weekend entry timed slots likely to sell out fast.
Other new installations include Floraison, from the French artistic collective Pitaya, which takes flora and fauna to a new level.
A total of 240 red, glowing flowers will appear to blossom on trees along the path of the Chinese Hillside bringing an ethereal vibe to the trail.
Feathers, by UK artists Pyrite Creative, sees UV feathers measuring up to two meters, appear to float gracefully in the trees above visitors as they pass by.
Lighting up the capital’s night sky, the mile-long illuminated trail will also feature returning festive favourites including the magnificent Christmas Cathedral and Inverleith House projection.
Also back is the popular Laser Garden, but which will for the first time in Edinburgh feature rainbow lasers casting beams and thousands of coloured dots across the surrounding landscape.
The trail attracted the biggest audience in its six-year history in 2021 – welcoming more than 90,000 visitors over a five-week run.
With the capital able to again welcome visitors from across the UK and internationally, organisers are aiming for another record-breaking year, as family and friends come together to enjoy the festivities.
Kari Coghill, Director of Enterprise and Communication at Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, said: “We work hard all year to display the fruits of the seasons through our magnificent plant collections.
"Opening the Garden on a crisp winter’s evening continues to be special as visitors can experience this wonderful place in a very different light – all while enjoying a hot chocolate or toasting a marshmallow with friends or family.
“Ticket sales from Christmas at the Botanics help us to maintain the Garden and continue our work in plant research, conservation, horticulture and education. I look forward to throwing open our gates and welcoming everyone to the trail in November.”
Jonathan Marks, Director at Raymond Gubbay, a division of Sony Music, which promotes the event, added: “Creating festive traditions with family or friends is something to be cherished. Christmas at the Botanics has become a milestone moment which kicks off the season for so many people. It’s the perfect get-together for all ages.
"As with last year, we are again able to welcome larger groups and I can’t wait to see everyone enjoying the illuminated Garden.”
Christmas at the Botanics is presented in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and creative producer Culture Creative, with leading events promoter Raymond Gubbay Limited, a division of Sony Music, which has has been delivering illuminated Christmas trails for over eight years.
It is one of 22 illuminated trails staged across the UK, Europe, USA, and Australia with other venues and partners including Blenheim Palace, The National Trust, Forestry England, The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew, Botanic Gardens Chicago, USA and Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, Melbourne, Australia.
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one of the world’s leading scientific botanic gardens, which aims to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants, using cutting edge science, conservation and education. For more visit www.rbge.org.uk.
The Edinburgh trail will be closed November 21, 22, 28 and 29 and December 5, 6 and 25.For more details about the trail visit mychristmastrails.co.uk and follow @mychristmastrails on Facebook and Instagram.
LINKS:
Facebook: @mychristmastrails
Instagram: @mychristmastrails