Edinburgh Castle will shine brighter than ever this winter as the UK’s largest annual projection show, Castle of Light, returns for a sixth year with an immersive experience inspired by the enchanting forces of fire and ice.
Transforming the iconic fortress into a stage of elemental wonder, this year’s spectacular after-dark walking trail fuses Scotland’s fierce spirit with its frozen beauty. Visitors are invited to step into a world where flame and frost collide as dazzling light and sound displays awaken the Castle’s stories born of volcanic fire and sculpted by the power of ice.
Running for seven weeks throughout the festive season, on select dates from Friday 21 November 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026, Castle of Light: Fire and Ice promises to captivate audiences with extraordinary installations, interactive moments and atmospheric storytelling. Guests will wander through a fortress of light and encounter mythical creatures, from a mighty dragon soaring across the night sky to the Ice Queen herself in the Great Hall.
Brought together by a consortium of the finest digital and visual talent in Scotland, in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES), the larger-than-life installations combine cutting-edge projection, striking soundscapes and creative artistry to deliver the boldest Castle of Light yet - a breathtaking spectacle on a scale unlike anything else in the UK.
Alastair Young, producer of Castle of Light, said:
“As we enter our sixth year, we’re bringing an even bolder and brighter adventure to Edinburgh Castle. Castle of Light: Fire and Ice draws on the fire that forged this ancient rock and the ice that shaped its form to tell a captivating story of resilience, transformation and wonder. Whether it’s your first visit or you’ve joined us before, this year’s show promises to be like nothing you’ve ever seen.”
Alongside the awe-inspiring tapestry of storytelling projections, visitors can enjoy a variety of drinks and small plates, toast marshmallows by the fire pit, and indulge in a mouth-watering selection of street food on the esplanade.
Kit Reid, Head of Experience at HES, which runs Edinburgh Castle, said:
Castle of Light has become a much-loved winter tradition, attracting thousands of visitors every year. Now in its sixth year, we’re getting ready to present a completely new show that highlights both the fiery origins and the icy resilience of Scotland’s most iconic landmark.
“Castle of Light: Fire and Ice will transform Edinburgh Castle into an unforgettable festive experience, creating magical memories for families, friends and visitors of all ages as they’re invited in to see Edinburgh Castle in a whole new light and take in the breathtaking views of the Edinburgh skyline after dark in all its festive splendour.”
Ticketed entry slots will run every 15 minutes between 4.30pm and 7.30pm each evening, with last entry between 7.30pm and 7.45pm. The event closes at 9pm.
A special reduced-capacity ‘quiet night’ will also take place on Sunday 7 December, offering a calmer experience with softer lighting, lower sound levels and no smoke effects.
Adult early bird tickets cost £21.60 and are available until Tuesday 30 September (using promo code COLCM25 at checkout). Concession rates, family tickets and discounts for Historic Scotland members are also available.
For more information and to get your tickets, visit www.castleoflight.scot. Advance booking required.
About Castle of Light
Dates:
Castle of Light will run every Friday and Saturday, starting on Friday 21 November 2025 until Sunday 4 January 2026, apart from Friday 26 December.
The event will also run on Sunday 7 December, Sunday 14 December, Sunday 21, Monday 22 and Tuesday 23 December, Sunday 28, Monday 29 and Tuesday 30 December, and Sunday 4 January.
A quiet night will take place on Sunday 7 December.
Time:
Timed entry from 4.30pm to 7.30pm, last entry between 7.30pm and 7.45pm. The event closes at 9pm. It is suggested that visitors allow around 60 minutes to fully experience the show but they can take as much or as little time as they like.
Cost:
Early bird tickets (available until Tues 30 Sept using promo code COLCM25 at checkout).
- Adult (16-64yrs) £24.00
- Concessions (65yrs+) £19.00
- Child (7-15yrs, must be accompanied by an adult aged 16yrs+) £15.00
Family tickets and HS Member discounts are also available.
About Castle of Light’s consortium partners
War Productions Limited
War Productions Limited has been trading since 1989 and has a strong focus towards the artistic use of digital video.
Beginning as a lighting company, WarPro’s creative bent shifted towards the use of live projection in the very early days of the technology as production company for Orbital, Aphex Twin, Shamen and more. WarPro has specialised more and more in the creative use of projection for an ever growing commercial and artistic client base.
Double Take Projections
Double Take Projections Ltd is an innovative Scottish design consultancy specialising in creating immersive visual experiences using a technique called Projection Mapping. It is a bespoke company, creating unique one-off spectacles, and is able to radically alter the character of an environment or object by projecting from different angles onto a variety of surfaces.
Double Take has years of experience of producing and designing some of Scotland’s biggest Light shows. Double Take is a one stop shop for projection activity, designing content, designing social content and marketing material.
Andy McGregor
Andy McGregor has over 25 years’ experience as a multimedia artist, designer and creative director. With a background in music, contemporary art and multimedia design, Andy has consistently worked at the boundaries of design, art, technology and performance.
He has produced work for high profile organisations such as The National Galleries of Scotland, Glasgow Life, Venice Theatre Biennale, Edinburgh International Science Festival, Harper Collins Publishing UK, Abbotsord Trust, The Queen’s Gallery at Holyrood House and Drambuie Distillers.
About Historic Environment Scotland (HES)
- We are the lead body for Scotland’s historic environment, a charity dedicated to the advancement of heritage, culture, education and environmental protection. It is at the forefront of researching and understanding the historic environment and addressing the impacts of climate change on its future, investigating and recording architectural and archaeological sites and landscapes across Scotland and caring for more than 300 properties of national importance. We are also the lead on delivering Scotland's strategy for the historic environment, Our Past, Our Future.
- Historic Scotland, trove.scot, The National Collection of Aerial Photography (NCAP), The Engine Shed, Stirling Castle, Edinburgh Castle and Stòr are sub-brands of HES.
- View our press pack and keep up to date by registering to receive our media releases. Already registered? You can unsubscribe at any time by following the unsubscribe link, included in every email.
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For media enquiries please contact:
3x1 (David Cotter or Heather Marston)
0141 221 0707 / 07403 446 883
hes@3x1.com
For further information, please contact:
Historic Environment Scotland Media Office
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communications@hes.scot