About the festival
The said lights exhibition is an ideal event for solo travelers or those who travel with their friends and family. Besides seeing the festive lights, you can also enjoy various activities in the place. With the beauty and creative lights installation, the festival was already a tradition for many families during the holidays.
The twinkling lights in Edinburgh can offer you a breathtaking moment that you will surely admire. It can help you enjoy a Christmas celebration full of love, happiness, peace, and joy. You can also interact with the locals, who will make you feel at home during your travel to the place. Participating in the lights festival will not make you regret it because of the memorable experience it can offer to you.
Festival Dates (2023)
The Christmas lights festival in Edinburgh will be held from November 16 to December 30, 2024. These dates are perfect for families and friends to ignite their senses with colorful fairy lights and breathtaking light displays.
Where It’s Located and How to Get There
The Festival of Lights Edinburgh is located at Edinburgh Royal Botanic Garden. It is based at Arboretum PI, Edinburgh EH3 5NZ, Scotland . The place is among the top spots for the Christmas spirit in the city. Here, you can witness more than one million twinkling lights, popular Glasshouses filled with Christmas colour, and unique tree canopies.
The location also includes illuminated tree sculptures and bright incandescent flowers. The festival is ideal for both adults and kits.
There are also sparkling stars, snowflakes, gingerbread men, and reindeer. You can visit Santa and his elves. This lights festival will remind you of the spirit of Christmas.
There are two entrances to get to the Edinburgh lights festival. These are the East Gate on Inverleith Row and West Gate on Arboretum Place. You can take a bus, bicycle or car to go to the venue of the festival of lights. You can also ask the locals in the city to get there. They are friendly and will welcome you as their family.
If you liked this festival, you might want to check out these amazing spectacles as well:
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Festival Hours
The lights usually illuminates the Botanical Garden from sunset into late night. With this, you can enjoy holidays for long hours with your loved ones with the creative lights you can see. You can have a memorable time as you participate in the festival of lights in Edinburgh.
Cost to Visit the Festival
The cost to visit the Edinburgh lights festival includes ticket fees.
The following are the ticket prices for this year’s festival of lights Edinburgh:
Non-member Adults – Off Peak £19; Peak £ 22.50
Member Adults – Off Peak £ 16; Peak £ 19.50
Weather and What to Wear
The festival of lights in Edinburgh was celebrated during the Christmas season, which is winter. So, the weather will be cold. Make sure to wear layered clothes to keep yourself warm.
With that, you can feel comfortable and enjoy different activities in the area without being cold. You can also enjoy hot drinks available in the area to keep yourself warm.
5 Hotels Near the Lights Festival
The Raeburn
As you visit Edinburgh, The Raeburn hotel can be your top choice. Their service is a combination of comfort, value, and convenience. With that, you can have the highest satisfaction during your stay.
If you have high standards for your hotel needs, this hotel is a good investment. You can have a room that comes with a flat-screen TV, room service, desk, bathrobes, and free WiFi.
They also have amenities like baggage storage, restaurant, newspaper, meeting rooms, taxi service, and more. You will not regret choosing the hotel since it has a friendly staff that will professionally serve you.
Nira Caledonia
Nearby tourist attractions surround the Nira Caledonia. So, you can explore the area and make the best of your stay in Edinburgh. Their team can provide you with 24-hour room service.
The hotel is also equipped with practical amenities such as 24-hour security, bicycle rental, free WiFi, walking tours, car hire, lounge/ bar, paid parking, and more.
You can stay in a clean and organized room that comes with a bath/ shower, housekeeping, and bathrobes. The room also has flat-screen TV, tea/coffee maker, telephone, and desk.
They have room types that you can choose according to your individual needs. They have non-smoking rooms, suites, and bridal suites.
Ibis Styles Edinburgh Centre St Andrew Square
This hotel is also a great place to stay during your visit to the Edinburgh festival of lights. They have inspiring and colorful designs on each floor. They also have amenities to help you enjoy your stay in the hotel.
Some of their amenities include free breakfast, paid public parking, free WiFi, 24-hour security, 24-hour front desk, taxi service, children’s TV networks, and baggage storage.
Brooks Hotel Edinburgh
Are you a traveler who is conscious to budget? Then, the Brooks Hotel Edinburgh is the best hotel for you. They can provide you with affordable accommodation without compromising the quality of their service.
Like other hotels in the city, they also come with amenities such as baggage storage, free WiFi, paid public parking, lounge/ bar, 24-hour front desk, 24-hour security, taxi service, and more.
They have family rooms and non-smoking rooms, so you can stay comfortably and relax. Each room comes with a shower/ bath, hairdryer, desk, housekeeping, flat-screen TV, and tea/ coffee maker.
The Bonham Hotel
The Bonham Hotel can offer you with comfortable, safe, and satisfying accommodation that you deserve. They can provide you with a room with a beautiful and relaxing atmosphere. They also have essential amenities that can enhance your hotel experience. It is an ideal hotel for those who travel with their family.
The hotel also has baggage storage, conference facilities, taxi service, banquet room, paid public parking, free WiFi, conference facilities, children’s TV networks, and more.
You can get a room that features room service, flat-screen TV, desk, housekeeping, shower/ bath, minibar, and tea/coffee maker.
5 Restaurants Nearby the Festival of Lights
There are many restaurants nearby the lights festival where you can eat delicious and quality foods. The following are some of these restaurants.
RadiCibus Italian Restaurant
This restaurant can serve you Italian, contemporary, European, Mediterranean, and healthy foods. They also have vegan, vegetarian-friendly, and gluten-free options.
They make sure that their guests can have the best dining experience through their quality foods and excellent customer service.
One20 Wine Cafe
The One20 Wine Cafe has Italian meals that will satisfy your taste. They also serve vegan and vegetarian-friendly options. You can be amazed by their professional and friendly staff that will treat you like a VIP. They prioritize the quality of their food, so you can expect to eat the best meals from this restaurant.
They also have a warm and comfortable atmosphere that will make you feel safe.
The Orchard
The Orchard can be the best restaurant if you want to try European, Pub, Scottish, Bar, and British cuisines. They also serve gluten-free options, vegan and vegetarian-friendly diets.
The restaurant offers meals for late-night, dinner, brunch, and lunch. They also have an accommodating staff.
New Chapter
If you want to eat Scottish, British and European cuisines, the New Chapter is ideal for you. They also have special diets, including gluten-free and vegan options.
They have a staff that will treat you with respect to have the best dining experience. With their beautiful ambiance, you can eat comfortably and feel at home. You will not regret choosing this restaurant during your stay in Edinburgh.
The Gateway Restaurant
This restaurant can serve you European, International, and British cuisines. With their quality food, you can have a special and satisfying dining experience as you attend the lights festival in Edinburgh. They also have vegetarian-friendly diets. You can be impressed by their knowledgeable and professional staff.
More Things to Do in the Area
Aside from the beautiful collection of Christmas lights in Edinburgh, you can enjoy other activities in the area. These include the following:
Shopping
There are many shopping centers where you can buy beautiful Christmas items. You can also purchase memorabilia that you can give to your loved ones as you get back home. You can go to The Logan Shop, where you can buy jewelry, home accessories, specialist books, scarves, souvenirs, toys, and more.
Go to a museum
Aside from witnessing the lights festival, you can also visit the National Museum of Scotland. The museum allows you to discover the diversity of world cultures, the natural world, art, science and technology, and more.
Enjoy performances
You can celebrate your holidays by watching balled and pantomime West End musicals. You can also enjoy other events like Nativity Carol Concert.
Visit their beautiful parks
You can also take a walk in their gorgeous parks and breathe in the fresh air. It allows you to achieve tranquility and ease your stress. One famous park you can visit is Inverleith Park, where you can enjoy various rugby, tennis, and cricket activities. There’s also a wooded riverside that can help you feel relaxed.
To sum it up, visiting the festival of lights in Edinburgh is a good idea to have a memorable travel area.
FAQ
1. What are the parking options during the Festival of Lights in Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh?
Answer: There’s limited parking available at the Royal Botanic Garden. Visitors are advised to use public transportation, cycle, or walk. Nearby street parking might be available, but spaces fill up quickly, especially during the festival.
2. Is smoking allowed during the Festival of Lights at the Royal Botanic Garden?
Answer: Smoking, including the use of e-cigarettes, is strictly prohibited within the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh to ensure the safety and enjoyment of all visitors. Designated smoking areas may be located outside the garden’s main entrance.
3. Can I bring my pets to the Festival of Lights?
Answer: While the Royal Botanic Garden is generally pet-friendly during regular hours, there may be restrictions for special events like the Festival of Lights. Service animals, however, are always permitted. It’s best to check in advance with the festival’s organizers.
4. How long does the Festival of Lights experience typically last?
Answer: Visitors usually spend around 1 to 2 hours exploring the light installations and displays. The duration can vary depending on individual pace and interest in the various attractions.
5. Will there be food and beverage options available during the festival?
Answer: Yes, the Royal Botanic Garden usually offers a selection of seasonal refreshments, and there are often additional food and drink stalls set up specifically for the Festival of Lights.
6. Are there any restrictions on what I can bring into the garden during the festival?
Answer: Large bags, tripods, and outside food or drink might be restricted. It’s recommended to travel light and check the festival’s official guidelines for specifics.
7. Can I take photographs during the festival?
Answer: Absolutely! Visitors are encouraged to capture the magical light displays. However, professional photographers or those wishing to use the images commercially should seek permission from the event organizers.
8. Is the Festival of Lights wheelchair and stroller accessible?
Answer: Yes, the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is designed to be wheelchair and stroller friendly. There are also designated paths that are easily navigable for those with mobility challenges.
Sources:
https://rbge.org.uk/whats-on/christmas-at-the-botanics-2023/
