Christmas tree lights switch-on to bring festive cheer to the heart of Aberdeen

19 November 2019

The city is set to come alive with festive cheer as hundreds of people are expected to attend the switch-on ceremony for Aberdeen’s Christmas tree at the Castlegate on Thursday (21 November).

The Norwegian Fir, which is a gift every year from Aberdeen’s twin city of Stavanger in Norway, arrived in the city’s harbour on 10 November and has been erected by Aberdeen City Council.

The switch-on ceremony will be carried out by The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett and the Deputy Mayor of Stavanger Bjorg Tysdel Moe, with Reverend Dr James Garnett for Aberdeen Churches together blessing the tree.

Entertainment for the evening will be provided by Tutti Voices (Aberdeen Performing Arts) and Gospelkoret Abraham, a choir group from Stavanger, singing Christmas carols to continue the city’s festive events line-up.

The switch-on ceremony starts at 7pm and will follow the official opening of the Aberdeen Christmas Village.

The Lord Provost said: said: “This is such a wonderful celebration to mark the seasonal activities, with the city full of festive cheer.

“It is a special occasion on the Christmas events calendar and allows us to recognise the successful partnerships between organisations in Aberdeen and Stavanger that have been cultivated over the years.

“It is a pleasure to switch on the Christmas tree lights with the Deputy Mayor of Stavanger whose city has been so generous in gifting the tree to us. I’m delighted that Aberdeen Churches Together are blessing the tree and to top the evening off we have performances from Tutti Voices and Gospelkoret Abraham. There is a fantastic evening for all the family, kick starting a weekend of exciting events which culminate in the Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade.”

Aberdeen Churches Together representative Lieutenant Helen Froud said: ”The Churches in Aberdeen are delighted to take part in this event once more as we approach the joy of Advent.”

Aberdeen Performing Arts Chief Executive Jane Spiers said: “It’s such a privilege to be involved in this wonderful event celebrating the magic of the festive season right in the centre of the city. We can’t wait to perform alongside Gospelkoret Abraham and it’s sure to be a special evening.”

The lighting of the city’s Christmas tree is the beginning of a weekend of festive events which includes Aberdeen Christmas Village, Christmas in the Quad, the Charlie House Santa Fun Run and the Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade.

Christmas Tree Switch-On
Thursday 21 November - 7pm

Aberdeen Christmas Village
Thursday 21 November – Tuesday 31 December

Charlie House Santa Fun Run
Sunday 24 November – 5.15pm

Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade
Sunday 24 November – 5.30pm

For further information visit www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/Christmas.