Councillors have approved plans for delivering Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay differently this winter.
At a meeting of the Policy and Sustainability Committee this week (Thursday 21 August), there was cross-party agreement for the proposals developed by the Council and event producers Underbelly to adapt this year's festivals in light of COVID-19 and put Edinburgh's residents and businesses first.
Further meetings for both events will now take place to refine plans and help to ensure Edinburgh's place as the home of Hogmanay and world-class Christmas celebrations remains intact, before further details are launched later in the year. The final go ahead for events will however remain subject to the latest public health guidance in Edinburgh.
Council Leader Adam McVey said:
“We all agree that Edinburgh needs a very different approach to Christmas and Hogmanay this year. Safety absolutely needs to come first and I’m pleased that the proposal for lowering numbers and spreading activity so that we can continue to support local businesses has received cross-party support.
“These plans provide the people of Edinburgh with an enjoyable, fitting series of events to mark the end of what has been one of the most challenging years in living memory. There is a strong focus on support for local all-year-round business which will ensure that if events go ahead, our local traders will see even more benefit to help them survive and thrive.
“I can’t stress enough however that all plans will need to be subject to the latest public health guidance, and of course the continued containment of COVID-19 in Edinburgh, before we can say with certainty that these specific plans will take place.”
Depute Leader Cammy Day said:
“There is no question that we’ll have to adapt this year’s Winter Festivals and this report sets out how we intend to do that. We’ll be looking at dispersing the Christmas market from the City Centre and offering a special Torchlight event to thank key workers, and as far as we can we want to put on a programme we can all enjoy after a challenging year. Working with Underbelly, the city of Edinburgh will remain one of the world’s finest celebrations of Christmas and New Year.
“We’ll need to keep numbers lower but we also have an opportunity to spread activity further out to help support local businesses and communities. These events are so important for our local economy and we’ll use this winter as an opportunity to explore trying something new, using hardstanding surfaces wherever possible. We also need to make sure that at this critical time, when local businesses will need footfall more than ever, we put on a show which residents and visitors can really enjoy and come to, and that they are encouraged to support businesses while they’re here.”
Charlie Wood, a Director of Underbelly which produces Edinburgh's Christmas and Edinburgh's Hogmanay events on behalf of the Council, said:
"We’re delighted that the Council has reached a unanimous decision on the way forward for Edinburgh’s Christmas and Hogmanay. As we move forward into detailed planning, our absolute priority will continue to be public safety and putting Edinburgh first.
"We look forward to developing and delivering the programme in collaboration with the Council and other key partners to retain the city’s global status as a destination for Christmas and Hogmanay."
Further information on what is proposed can be viewed in the Committee report, an Update on Edinburgh’s Christmas and Edinburgh’s Hogmanay 2020/2021.