Winter Wonderland

HIGHLIGHTS:
— 20% off for EH postcode locals.
— ‘The Wallace’ burger from the Bavarian stand facing onto Princes Street. Gorgeous piece of meat.
— Scotch & Soda circus show; not as accomplished as NoFit State but highly entertaining all the same.
— Ice skating for the first time in about 6 years!
— The Big Wheel.
LOWLIGHTS:
— That slight niggly feeling that the prices went up a bit this year, taking the edge off the EH postcode dicsount.
— Sky flyer is now on Princes Street, meaning the view of Fife is somewhat diminished this year.
— The sign inside the Big Wheel cabin that read: ‘Smile, your on camera’, which really made me question the state the world is in right now!
First time I’ve really got involved in the Christmas Festivities this year but overall it’s been wonderful and put me right in the mood for Santa!

Despite the chilly weather the warm atmosphere at Winter Wonderland really eased the chill.
Starting off at Prince Street gardens theres plenty to see from the giant ferris wheel, to the scary biscuits high flyer to the ice rink; not to mention the food and craft stalls and market. For kids (or indeed big kids), theres Santa’s land with rides and a Christmas tree maze.
The market is packed full of all the continental delights you can imagine. Wooden ornaments and lights, candles, coffee beans, waffles, crepes, chocolate fountains, mulled wine and hot chocolate… the smell is amazing. Yes, admittedly the place is mobbed and some of the goods are quite expensive, but hey its Christmas and we’re in Edinburgh.
In St Andrews Square the new for 2015 circular ice rink was fun to watch and there’s some quality Scottish market stalls which I think is important at a Christmas market.
A crunchie hot chocolate from Mimis Bakehouse with some shortbread was tasty and suitably Christmassy whilst we soaked up the atmosphere.
By far the best Christmas markets in Scotland, with wares which could rival many a European city, and somewhere I’ll continue to visit each year.

I like this time of year. When the Christmas Markets are here and the big wheel and skating rink. Everyone is always so very happy. This year it is even bigger

Winter wonderland is back… and bigger and better than ever before!
In addition to the German and Scottish stalls there are also stands selling Dutch pancakes, Spanish churros, olives from Provence and French crepes. It is now more of a European market. This year there are two ice skating rinks and there is also a scary looking spinny chair ride which I really want to try-​apologies for my inability to explain this one! I am pretty sure the children’s market is new too, and comes complete with a mini train and a Christmas tree maze.
It really is exciting walking around the pretty stalls and trying out new food/​drinking mulled wine. So why not 5 stars? A lot of the food is seriously overpriced. £5 for some churros? I paid it, but I regretted it when I realised what I was getting and what I could have got for the same price… It is also seriously hectic and on days when I just want to go shopping I miss the liberty of passage between Princes street gardens and the National gallery of Scotland.

Big wheel, ice rink, plethora of stalls selling all things Christmas & liquid Christmas cheer. What’s not to love about the Winter Wonderland. Yes, it’s mobbed but surely that’s the point.
There is a fair bit of repetition amongst the stalls but it’s laid out better this year compared to last. I like the fact that the ice-​rink is st the top & I much prefer the new style big wheel (pods to shelter in rather than being open to the elements).
A great way to while away a few hours with friends on a wintry afternoon.

it’l soon be apon us again, this is an amazingly tasteful event. there is lots for all ages, genders to do. whether it be dashing around the ice rink which can be pricey at peak times but well worth it or sipping coco listening to some fantastic stories about christmas. if none of this is your kind of thing perhaps the german market with its many trinkets will catch your eye, or if ur a little more adventurous then the big wheel is the place for you. This event is all its cracked upto be bringing a true sense of christmas to edinburgh. my family and i have a fantastic time when we do go, doing our best to try everything (well i avoid the wheel coz am a scardey pants). can be expensive depending where you buy things and what you want to buy, my advice look around before spending. This will bring a smile to anyones face

Aw christmas is upon us and what can be more christmassy than making a fool of your self on the ice rink in front of hundreds of other people and paying for the pleasure! lol!
warm up your aging bones with some hot coco and absorb the atmosphere
bring on Christmas!

Aw its nearly Christmas again and what better way to spend a evening than hot chocco and ice skating? And all in the city centre.
Wrap up warm and let the fun begin

Ah, the Christmas winter wonderland :-) I just love coming here during the festive season and having a ponder around the stalls, while sampling some mulled wine. bliss :-)

Good fun for young and old alike. The fair is a bit pricey (the ice-​rink is extortionate!) but hey, it’s only once a year.
If you go along at night-​time make sure you wrap up well … especially if you fancy a trip on the Big Wheel.
Highly recommend the mulled wine to warm you up.

Pour le jour de l’an 2010, nous étions a Edinburgh, la neige était au rendez-​vous ainsi que le froid glacial.
Le sapin (voir photo) vient du grand magasin à 5 ou 6 étage, Jenners (on y trouve de tout, je vous invite à gouter a leur restauration).
L’écureuil, je l’ai rencontre dans le jardin de «Princes Street Gardens» jour de l’an.
Et pour les 12 coups de minuits, nous avons assisté au concert du groupe qui a donné naissance au Ska, Madness. Dans le jardin sité précédemment. Je vais vous raconté notre incroyable chance au cours de la nuit de Hogmanay. Cette nuit là, était le dernier jour de l’année et en écossais cela s’appelle Hogmanay.
Un petit aperçu en vidéo :

Pour célébrer cette fête, la ville d’Edinburgh et plus particulièrement une partie de Princes Street ainsi que le jardin éponyme de la rue sont bloqués a la circulation pour laisser place a :
— Concert in the garden
— The Keilidh
— West End DJ Stage
— Party Stage
— Waverley Stage
Pour en savoir aller sur

Acte I Scèné I
Pour ce soir là nous avions acheté un Pass (je crois que c’était 10 £ par personne) pour nous rendre sur Prince Street et assister au différents événements et voir le feu d’artifice.
Tout le périmètre était bien surveillé, les bouteilles en verre interdites pour raison de sécurité. Nous avons rencontrés au cours de toute la soirée aucun problème, aucune bagarre, ni bousculade malgré le nombre importants de fêtards.
L’ambiance du jour de l’an commençait a monter, la foule circulait dans les rues, la musique du DJ se faisait entendre au loin, quelques un s’agitait le gobelet de bière à la main et d’autres étaient collés à la barrière de «Princes Street Garden», au début j’ai remarqué des groupes de 2 ou 3 personnes et tout ça en remontant ou en redescendant la rue.
Acte I Scèné II
Ensuite j’ai vu que des dizaines de personnes fixées leur regard en direction du jardin. Comme tout le monde, nous nous sommes approché et nous avons vu une scéné de concert, chouette !! On essaye de trouver une entrée, on traverse la foule qui afflue. Arrivés à une des entrées du jardin, nous apercevons un second contrôle de billet, mince !! Tu crois qu’on peut entrer? Né sachant pas quoi faire et né sachant pas trop a quoi nous attendre nous donnons a nouveau notre billet qui nous avait servit a passer le 1er contrôle, au grand monsieur en «yellow jacket». Il nous dit avec son accent qui roule les R, No, this ticket is vx and hfxc not possible, il n’y avait pas encore ma belle-​mère, elle nous aurait aidé en comprendre et à discuter avec yellow jacket.
Acte I Scèné III
L’accès au jardin nous a été refusé car nous n’avions pas les bons billets. Nous retournons alors dans la rue, errant a la recherché d’un réconfort due a la déception de né pas pourvoir assister a ce concert dont on né savait rien, ni les artistes, et ni si nous pouvions acheter les billet et à combien surtout.
Suite de l’évenement
Acte II scèné I
Nous essayons d’avancer tant bien que mal, la foule grandie en meme temps que l’ambiance, nos voyons vraiment que c’est un jour de fêtes pas comme les autres, pleins d’amour et d’allégresse, very Bliss !!!
Nous essayons de nous renseigner pour pouvoir acheter les billets, car nous avons appris qu’il y avait Madness !!! Wahouu, un des groupes de mon enfance, les maîtres du Ska.
Acte II scèné II
Tout le monde était fou, pas de joie car nous n’avions de billet mais d’impatience. Au fait, maintenant nous avons Evelyn avec nous, elle va nous aider à comprendre un peu mieux cet accent Scotish atypique mais dont nous avons du mal à comprendre.
On arrive au niveau du West End DJ Stage. Quelques pas de danse et un déanchement plus tard, nous nous dirigeons vers une autre entrée.
Nous envoyons Evelyn au front, moi je reste un peu en retrait.
C’est là que s’opère la magie de l’instant. C’était là, maintenant et pas, à une seconde de plus. Au moment où Evelyn et sa fille discutent avec un des contrôleur, un grand monsieur, 1m90 environ rejoint le groupe de contrôle. Un moment après il s’avance vers Evelyn et le contrôleur, ils discutent tous les 4… Et sur le moment, je n’ai pas vraiment su ce qui c’était vraiment passé. Je l’ai su ensuite.
Acte II scèné III — Le Final
Ma femme se retourne pour nous chercher, un couple s’avance vers le point de contrôle, elle me cherche, se retourne vers sa mère puis se retourne à nouveau, je lui fait signe, elle né me voit toujours pas, le couple s’avance vers elle et lui tend deux billets et presque au même moment, le grand monsieur sort de sa veste deux billets et les donnent à Evelyn. Tous les deux reviennent avec le Sésame.
Et là, la fête prend une autre dimension…
Les billets en main, le sourire aux lèvres, un pied devant l’autre nous avançcons dans la nuit noire en direction de la scèné. Nous avons dansé toute la nuit. D’abord en 1ère partie, «The Noisettes» et ensuite

This is a nice winter wonderland right in the heart of the city centre. There is a German Christmas market, ice skating rink, and fun fair rides. The big spectacular is a massive ferris wheel.
There is a big opening event which has Santa coming down in the ferris whee, much to the delight of the children, and there are dancers and singers performing on the ice rink.
The stalls are little wooden huts which sell traditional German Christmas things, and it is all wonderful. Wooden toys, glass candle holders, Christmas decorations and home knitted hats. You can even buy German steak sandwiches and mulled wine.
It is all lovely and really Christmassy, the only problem it is so busy that it is hard to maneuver around in there to even get a look at all the stalls. It is also quite expensive and I can never seem to afford much when I go there.
It is definitely worth a look, but I wouldn’t go out of my way to go here if I wasn’t staying in Edinburgh already, it gets so busy that its hard to get a look at everything!

Maybe it’s because I’m getting older but I loved the Winter Wonderland this year. With the addition of the Speigal tent it was a great addition to Edinburgh’s Christmas celebrations.
Here’s to Christmas ’09!
Ess

Personly my favourite year round event. I love to go here but it is very expensive. My favourite attractions are the helter-​skelter and the ice rink. There are also things like duck-​shooting, prize winning games and all other sorts of shops and stalls. Great for a day out with children or with some friends!

The winter wonderland opened this weekend — woo hoo!
Visiting the WWL is the start of christmas. We always wait until we get a nice cold crisp evening and get our hats and coats and gloves on to really enjoy the experience.
there is a lovely Christmas market, ice rink, big wheel and a lovely food market. We always start here and get a big mug of mulled wine and a plate of something warm and filling. Then we have a wander round all the attractions.
Defo great way to start christmas :-)

The Winter Wonderland is a fabulous winter attraction here in Edinburgh and is not to be missed, even if you’re just people-​watching, which is something I love to do! Fairy lights strung out across the trees of Princes Street Gardens, they turn the east end of the gardens into an open-​air ice rink and the atmosphere, especially at night, is incredible. There is a Fairground ride set up, and Santa and his reindeer usually grace the opposite end of the gardens. The annual German Market is irresistible for Christmas shopping for me, I love it because there are always such lovely unsual gifts to be had here and stall holders all seem to be lovely people!

Walking along Princes Street yesterday I saw signs that its nearly time for the annual Winter Wonderland in Edinburgh.
This is a wonderful festival to bring some light to a city that can be incredibly dark and cold in winter.
Every year the Winter Wonderland commences with a firework display which always attracts huge crowds to Princes Street gardens.
The festival always has a Big Wheel, Chair-​o-​Planes and Helter Skelter, along with smaller rides for smaller children and an ice rink for the hardier, and fitter, amongst us!
The Big Wheel offers some amazing views over the city centre and is something you should try both in daylight and at night, when you can enjoy the wonderful Christmas lights.
There is also a German Market, selling some wonderful confectionary, ornaments and gifts for Christmas along with, of course, some mulled wine.
You pay per ride for the attractions at the Winter Wonderland and it can get very busy at peak periods, but its something I visit with my daughter every year.
To get touched with some magic in winter, you cannot miss it!

fun, fun, fun!
get in the Christmas spirit and head for Prices Street Gardens in December to experience winter wonderland.
Shows, German market, food stalls, reindeer, santa iceskating +++

Winter Wonderland at Christmas is great. It makes the place feel so festive with all the lights, german markets, ice rink, and the shows. Its a cheery place to be, and everybody is always in the festive spirit. This starts at the end of November and continues for a month.

I love Edinburgh at Christmas and this is one of the reasons why. It’s always freezing outside but no one cares here as they’re filled up on hot chocolate or mulled wine from the German Market and are making the most of the rides. Has to be enjoyed at some point if you’re up here!

So much to see and do in Edinburgh Princes St Gardens this past festive season. I had a ball.
Fun factor no.1 REINDEER
The real live Reindeer (would make my reindeer-​obsessed auntie bawl her eyes oot!). I have never been in the presence of a real Reindeer before and I was extremely excited to see these lovely little furry antlered beautiful beasts. I’ve always had an idea in my head they weren’t or shouldn’t be real (being attached to such a mystical figure an ‘all) — and yet every time I am reminded they are Im filled the olé forgotten feeling of being young and believing it ALL… a lovely wee bit of magic. They looked quite unphased and relaxed to be plonked in the centre of Edinburgh too which made them all the more pleasing to see.
Fun Factor no.2 ICE SKATING
As it has been years I thought I would spend most of the time on my rear but no it was all kosha. The stewards were very satefy conscious yet un-​obstructive and the background dated techno tunes made for a bit of a cheesetastic time. The outdoor rink looked lovely lit-​up at night from the road above too.
Fun Factor No.3 SANTA EXPRESS
Although this trip of a lifetime is clearly meant for kids, myself and the boyf hopped into the front seat no less. It was awesome and a lovely a wee trip around the gardens, picking up and dropping, off, tooting and waving. The christmas tunes were pumping and those kids were loving it — Santa was too, I’ve never seen such a happy Santa! Oh bless…
Fun Factor no.4 MARKET
I don’t need to say much about this other than the clobber on offer was lovely and a tad on the pricey side. The food was tasty and the hot drinks (alco and non) filled a need to get a wee bit cosy on the cold windy days!
Fun Factor No. 5 AMUSEMENTS
Although a bit disappointed to have not experienced the big wheel — which Im sure would have been awesome, we did go on the huge fairground swings. What a mixed bag of delight and sheer terror. You feel like yer wee flippers are gonna get ripped from the ankles right in front of your eyes when you see how close they get to stationary objects on the ground and in the sky. AMAZING!!!
All in all a brilliant time (and I haven’t even covered everything!), I wasn’t feeling to christmassy before I went but it sorted me right out! Go in 2008, you won’t regret it!