There's magic in the air this Christmas!

Who doesn’t love a bit of magic at Christmas, the season when magic is in the air and all things seem possible? And this Christmas, Edinburgh International Magic Festival is back! Running from December 17 to 30, the festival has a range of live shows and workshops for kids of all ages.

The festival’s artistic director and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist, Kevin Quantum, says magic is much more than just tricks: “For me magic is about bringing joy into people’s lives, providing a moment of escapism, and offering a mesmerising, impossibly brilliant alternative view of reality. Magic makes you feel like a kid again, connecting you with that part of you that’s wonderfully naive, superbly silly, and open minded to really believe in magic and the impossible. Come enjoy a show and be that kid again!”

Here are the shows suitable for kids under 12 – for more details see the website magicfest.co.uk

MAGIC SCHOOL WORKSHOP WITH GARY JAMES

Imagine if your homework was making a pencil float, or making a ball disappear, or even reading your little sister’s mind?

If you’ve ever wanted to learn how to properly perform magic and even create your own, then come this spell-binding 2.5-hour introduction to performing magic.

Learn the real secrets from a professional magician (Headmaster Gary James), make magic friends, and perform new magic tricks. Don’t let that Christmas magic set gather dust! Learn how to use it at the only hands-on, magic training workshop in Scotland.

Please note, all children should be registered for Magic School in advance.

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS

Join local professional magician Gary James for a fun-filled, family cracker of a show. Wonder at festive-themed magic, with laughter and gasps aplenty, and witness the building of a snowman that comes to life right before your eyes! Magical moments you won’t ever forget.

EYES OPEN EYES SHUT

Join Britain’s Got Talent 2020 semi-finalist Kevin Quantum, trained by Penn & Teller, to gain a unique insight into deception. Never has an audience been given so much control over how they view/enjoy/observe a magic show. Enjoy all the tricks that are and ever were in 60 minutes.

SNOW TALE

Family, Home, Love – these are some of the most important words in our life. And Christmas is the best time to introduce them to your wee ones. Snow Tale is a story about friendship, hope and the magic that is always there when we especially need it. Enjoy a funny, snowy adventure in the company of a quick-witted snowflake with your wee ones. Sensory games, magic tricks, and a ‘buzzing disco’ are included.

Please note, specific shows are only open to select age ranges. 2.30pm shows are for pre-walking age and 10am, 11.15am & 12.30pm shows are for walking age. Contact the box office on 0131 226 0006 if you are not sure which time to choose.

TRICKY RICKY CHRISTMAS CRACKER

Join the Trickster celebrating 25 years in showbiz! Enjoy festive fun with Sonny the Bunny and his new friend Eddie The Elf in this funny, punny Christmas show .The four-time winner of Scottish Children’s Entertainer of the Year, Tricky Ricky, takes you on a magical yuletide journey. Prepare to be amazed and amused in this fast paced show for children aged 3 to 103!

KEVIN QUANTUM: THE TRICK THAT FOOLED

Unearthed! Incredible magic that’s fooled some of the most brilliant and creative people ever to have lived. Lincoln, Curie, Einstein and others – they’ve all been fooled. But would these same tricks fool you?

ELLIOT BIBBY: MAGIC IN A JIFFY

Multi award-winning magician Elliot Bibby has been busy scouring the internet for magical props. As you know, shopping online isn’t always as straightforward as it seems! And neither is this fast-moving comedic performance.

Elliot’s inimitable skill and seamless delivery produce a show full of laughs and surprises which promise to reveal the magic in the everyday.

MAGIC GARETH: THE BIG BIRTHDAY SHOW

Did you have a birthday in the last year that was spoilt by Covid? Then this fun colourful interactive magic show is for you! Magic Gareth is here to celebrate your ‘big days’ with this family magic show full of tricks, balloons, games and nonsense!

HOGMANAY HOUSE

Using live music, magic & comedy to explore the origins of the Scots’ New Year celebration.

Welcome! Come in out the cold, and celebrate Hogmanay! You are invited to the lavish Royal Scots Club in the centre of Edinburgh’s New Town to enjoy a theatre show like no other. Make merry in the traditional Scots way with magic, comedy, live music and tall tales as the weirdly obscure and most wonderful Hogmanay traditions from around Scotland over the past 500 years are shared and demonstrated. Featuring singer and songwriter Ainsley Hamill, award-winning musician Ron Jappy, mindreader Drew McAdam, storyteller Jock Ferguson and card magician Lewis Barlow.

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