Annual celebration of magic with theatre shows, close-up magic, a children's magic school and free Houdini and optical illusion exhibitions across Edinburgh.
MagicFest returns to Edinburgh from 19 to 30 December, marking the 17th Edinburgh International Magic Festival. It's the city's annual celebration of illusion, sleight of hand, mystery and laughter, billed as the celebration of magic in the world's most magical city. The festival brings together some of the world's best magicians for shows for all ages, ranging from spectacular theatre performances to intimate close-up magic for an audience of one.
Co-founder and programming director Kevin Quantum, an Edinburgh physicist turned magician, heads the bill alongside Ben Hart, a Britain's Got Talent Grand Finalist who helped create magic for Mission: Impossible – Dead Reckoning. Together they perform MAGICAL CHRISTMAS. Vincent Gambini is also on the programme, and Tricky Ricky, one of Edinburgh's best-loved children's entertainers, celebrates 30 years of magical entertainment. For the younger ones, headmaster Gary James returns to run the Magic School for young sorcerers.
Professor Richard Wiseman takes a different approach, exploring the stranger side of magic with The Bag, inspired by the bizarre true story of a student who attended classes inside a large opaque bag in 1967. He also curates free exhibitions featuring rare photographs of Houdini in Edinburgh and interactive optical illusions from his Quirkology project.
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Between the theatre shows, the exhibitions and the close-up magic, there's enough to keep you busy across the festive season. It runs from 19 to 30 December across Edinburgh.
Date
19 December – 30 December
Recommended Age
+6 years
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