Mind-reader and magicians will make Edinburgh a magical haven this festive season

Edinburgh’s MagicFest has revealed a 'cracker' of a programme for it's 10th anniversary event, which runs from 27 December to 5 January 2020.

The line-up brings together top home grown and international talent from the world of magic and mind reading including Scotland's No 1 mind-master Drew McAdam and America's Got Talent favourite Colin Cloud.

Cloud will headline the Opening Night Christmas Gala at the Traverse Theatre, which is described as an eclectic mix of the weird and the wonderful featuring Magic Circle Young Magician of the Year Adam Black and a multitude of breath-taking illusions from top magicians and the most talented newcomers.

Kevin Quantum, magician and festival organiser, says, “We’re so proud to unveil the 10th annual MagicFest and we think the line-up is the best yet - with mind-blowing entertainment over Christmas and Hogmanay. In fact, we hope it will help make this the most magical festive season ever in Scotland.

“We’ll have shows for adults and for families, plus our ever popular Magic School – which is just for kids. And the entertainment all comes courtesy of some of the most impressive magicians, illusionists and mind-readers.”

Svetlana McMahon, festival producer, added: “We’re particularly excited to unveil the new productions like Hogmanay House - a key event in Scotland’s Winter Festivals programme. It’s a chance to discover weird and wonderful Scottish traditions presented by magicians, musicians and storytellers while exploring the opulent rooms, secret passages and hidden chambers of Lauriston Castle.”

Hogmanay House: A magical First Foot Adventure will allow festival-goers to escape the dreich winter weather, enjoy a dram or a hot chocolate and make merry as musicians, magicians and storytellers celebrate the magic and origins of Hogmanay.

The event features McAdam, world-class card magician Lewis Barlow, singer/songwriter Ainsley Hamill, silver-tongued storyteller Jock Ferguson, and more.

For families and children, You Are Magic at the Traverse, a magic show conjured up from thin air where the audience become the stars is sure to be a hit. Do you have the skill to saw someone in half and put them back together again? Packed with illusions, spooky mind reading, stunning sleight of hand, and death-defying escapes, You are magic is presented by the Magic Gareth and Michelle Ferguson and written by YouTube star Professor Richard Wiseman.

Other highlights of the programme include:

Kevin Quantum: Anti-Gravity, also at the Traverse, invites you to enter a space where the rules of gravity are bent and broken in a show that mixes science, comedy and magic from magician-scientist hybrid Quantum.

Stay at the Traverse for the Comedy Magic Club featuring Elliot Bibby, Luke Eaton, Cammy Young, Cammy Gibson, Dan Bastianelli and special guests, Magic School at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, meanwhile, where young sorcerers aged 7-10 can to learn magic tricks from professional magicians then astound their family and friends. Led by magician and Magic School headmaster Gary James.

The Scottish Storytelling Centre is also where you will find Tricky Ricky's Christmas Madness: Four-times winner of Scottish Children’s Entertainer of the Year Tricky Ricky takes you on a magical festive journey. Prepare to be amused and amazed in a fast-paced, nutty, comedic and chaotic magic show for kids aged from 1 to 101.

The Power of Perspective: An Exhibition of photographic Illusions presented by the Rock Trust, illusion expert Professor Richard Wiseman and MagicFest. Enjoy the illusions at the Scottish Storytelling Centre and then see how they were created at the Museum of Edinburgh.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events at VisitScotland, added: “We are delighted to be supporting MagicFest deliver Hogmanay House through Scotland’s Winter Festivals programme. The exciting and innovative programme of activity provides a wonderful opportunity for all the family to attend a magical experience within a spectacular setting at Lauriston Castle, and further reinforces Scotland as the perfect stage for events.”

For full details visit website at www.magicfest.co.uk, tickets also available from 0131-226 0006