For a fantastic programme of family friendly fun, plan a visit to Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh this month and immerse yourself in the magic of its Christmas Experience. 

Meeting Father Christmas is always a little one’s wish.  Children are promised a scenic winter wonderland when they clutch their golden ticket and head off to meet Santa (and to receive a festive gift) in his beautiful North Pole grotto complete with iceberg!

Of course, there are lots of other treats in store during the Christmas Experience. Solve the prehistoric word hunt puzzle to receive a festive sweetie and take the time for little hands to craft their own ice-age baubles for the Christmas tree at home. There’s also the chance to write a little note to Santa, hoping for a gift on Christmas Day and making a special wish for Santa’s help to make our beautiful planet a more sustainable place to live.

As part of your experience, the festive journey continues through Dynamic Earth’s fascinating galleries to the wonderful 6K planetarium. Gaze upwards for a fascinating 25-minute What’s Up? stargazing experience, marvelling at celestial wonders above Scotland, including the spectacular Northern Lights (aurora borealis).

You can also pop into Dynamic Earth and experience a brand-new Christmas Market. On Sunday 10^th and Sunday 17^thDecember, it’s where festive magic meets eco-friendly shopping! Embrace the true spirit of the season by choosing thoughtful, planet-conscious and organic gifts, including hand-crafted, locally sourced products.  From local jewellers to artisanal treats, browse from 16 stallholders and share in the joy of green, sustainable festive shopping. And while carol singers bring you festive song, relax in the café with some warming seasonal treats.

From the comedy antics of Home Alone and Muppets: A Christmas Carol to The Grinch, It’s a Wonderful Life and Elf, Dynamic Earth is also ensuring you can enjoy a drink and sit back and relax with a festive film as part of its special Planetarium Lates programme.  And if you wish to be immersed in spectacular visuals and sound, treat yourself to special Christmas screening of Pink Floyd: Dark Side of the Moon.

Mark Bishop, CEO of Dynamic Earth, commented: “We are delighted to host jolly Father Christmas in his beautiful grotto. He recently whooshed over in his sleigh from the North Pole and has already proven to be a smash hit, with our Christmas Experience selling out last Sunday.

“In addition to visiting Santa, there are lots of festive treats for all the family to enjoy at Dynamic Earth, including the chance to pick up a beautiful gift in our Christmas Market. Marvel at the stars in our planetarium or to sit back and relax with a drink and snack watching one of our festive films – including Elf, Grinch and Muppets: A Christmas Carol. ‘Tis the season of goodwill and we hope to see you soon.”

During December and until Sunday 7 January, there’s also the chance to have fun learning more about the polar regions of the world through a series of free, family friendly activities. ‘All Eyes on Antarctica’ includes an insight to penguin colonies, understanding how our feathered friends have adapted to survive in the harsh Antarctic environment and revealing how satellites in space are being used to monitor and track these hardy animals. Young visitors can also explore the world in infrared, make a penguin to take home and even get hands on with some icy experiments!

Dates and prices

Please also see www.dynamicearth.org.uk

Christmas Experience

1-23 Dec – every Friday to Sunday only.  Price £10 per adult and £22 per child (ages 1-15).

Christmas Market at Dynamic Earth

10^th and 17^th December: 10am-4pm

‘All Eyes on Antarctica’

10am-4pm Fri-Sun only until Christmas Eve and 27^th-31 December. From 2 -7 Jan 2024 (10-3pm weekdays and 10am-4pm weekends).

Planetarium Lates 

Please visit www.dynamicearth.org.uk