Edinburgh Christmas: Love Gorgie Farm hosts month-long Christmas festivities

Imagine if you could experience the magic of Christmas whilst being around adorable farm animals at the same time – now you can

A community farm in Gorgie will host a magical month-long Christmas event this year, with attractions including a nightly illumination show, a Santa’s grotto, and of course, lots of adorable farm animals to meet. There are also competitions with spectacular prizes up for grabs.

Christmas celebrations at Love Gorgie Farm got underway last Friday (November 25), with Santa making a guest appearance to turn on the lights. Visitors to the farm were also treated to live carol songs courtesy of a local choir who made a special trip to celebrate the city farm’s first Christmas festival.

The illumination light show that sees the urban farm transform into a magical wonderland, will take place every night from November 25 to December 24 between 6pm- 9pm. Guests can tour the community farm as Christmas music plays in the background and meet all the adorable animals along the glittering trail.

The animals are in the Christmas spirit at Love Gorgie Farm

All proceeds from ticket sales at the unique Christmas event will help the farm care for their animals and deliver future community projects.

Tickets cost £7 per person (no charge for children under two) and a family ticket (two adults and two children) can be purchased for £24. The farm Café will also be open for refreshments.

Mark McInally, Commercial Business Manager at Love Gorgie Farm said the farm’s Christmas calendar was a way to “give back to the community that has given us so much.”

Mark said: “We are very excited about it because everything we do is going to help Gorgie farm move forward. It helps us feeding the animals and doing community projects – so everything we’re doing is going back to the community. There is also an excitement of bringing children in and the buzz of being here at night time and seeing the animals with a light show as well.

“Everything is going to be open - all the animals will be out and you can see them and pet them as you walk around the farm. I think the animals will love that they’re getting petted for longer – they will love that extra cuddle and pet as you walk around the farm.”

Other Attractions

Santa’s Grotto (December 2 – 24)

Beginning this weekend children can visit Santa in his grotto where he will offer a small gift, accompanied by his trusty elf and friendly animals from the farm. Santa’s grotto will be available to visit from December 2 – 24 and will be open every Friday, Saturday and Sunday between 3pm – 5pm. Tickets cost £5 per child (children under two can go free).

North Pole post office (December 2- 24)

Kids will be able to send their letters to Santa this year at the farm’s very own North Pole post office. Situated in the sheep stables, children can bring their own letters from home or design one at the farm. A personalised letter from Santa and a ‘Nice List Certificate’ from his elf can either be posted out or can be collected from the post office the following day. The post office service costs £3.

Create A Memory Bauble

Guests can buy a memory bauble at the farm to remember a lost loved one. You can choose to write a special message or insert a photo inside the bauble and it will then be placed on the Christmas tree at the farm.

12 Days of Christmas Competition

Budding artists can submit a poem, artwork or piece of creative writing to the farm to be in with the chance of winning some great prizes. 12 winning entries will be laminated and placed on the farm’s Christmas tree as well as being posted on social media. Prizes available range from farm experiences including ‘cuddle corners’, a farm tour and Alpaca walks, to handmade teddy bears, gift hampers, and a tour of Ibrox Stadium.

Love Gorgie Farm Toy Drive

The farm is also accepting toy donations to help struggling families this Christmas. The team kindly ask that toy donations are made to the farm before December 12 if possible.

Mark McInally said: “We’ve has a great success with it so far but we still need loads more. We don’t want people to think that they’re children can’t have a Christmas because the cost of living is now higher. If we can take that burden off of somebody then that’s what we want to do.”

You can book tickets for the Christmas festivities at Love Gorgie Farm by visiting www.lovegorgiefarm.org.uk or purchase tickets the main entrance of the farm from 6pm.

To book a place at Santa’s Grotto visit www.lovegorgiefarm.org.uk/events.