Hundreds of Santas to help open Aberdeen’s Christmas celebrations

19 September 2019

Hundreds of Santas will descend on Union Street in November as part of this year’s ‘Christmas in Aberdeen’ opening celebrations.

The Charlie House Santa Fun Run, supported by Aberdeen City Council, will take place on Sunday 24 November alongside the annual Aberdeen Christmas lights switch on parade down Union Street.

Individuals and families are invited to take part and run down the full length of Union Street dressed in Santa’s traditional red and white outfit. The event is open to all ages and abilities, including wheelchair users and their parents/carers, and must be completed within 30 minutes.

The fun run route, which is just under 1,000 metres, will see festive runners dashing and prancing from the junction of Union Street and Albyn Place to Castle Street, starting at 5.15pm.

To register for the Charlie House Santa Fun Run you must be 16 years of age or older on event day. Entrants aged 15 and under must be entered by a parent or guardian and must always be accompanied during the event. Entry fees are £10 per adult, £10 per child, £35 for a family of two adults and up to three children, and £10 for wheelchair users and a parent/carer. This entry fee includes a Santa suit, a bib number and a finishers medal.

Susan Crighton, Director of Fundraising at Charlie House, says, “We are thrilled to be holding the Charlie House Santa Fun Run down Union Street for the second year. This fun and festive event will set the scene for Aberdeen City Council’s annual Christmas light switch on, which will take place straight after the run.

“We are delighted this inclusive event is open to wheelchair users and their parents or carers. This supports our mission as a charity to offer activities and support services to babies, children and young people with complex disabilities and life-limiting conditions, and their families, here in the North-east.”

The Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett said: “Aberdeen’s Christmas Lights Switch On parade is a hugely popular occasion in the city’s annual events calendar, which is enjoyed by thousands of people, young and older, every year.

“Charlie House is a wonderful charity and it was clear at last year’s inaugural Charlie House Santa Run was inclusive and a whole load of fun for all participants. I would encourage citizens to sign up to the Santa Run as not only are you supporting a local charity, but you will have the opportunity to be part of the biggest and best Christmas lights switch on parade in the North East.” 

To secure your space for the Charlie House Santa Fun Run, please visit: www.charliehouse.org.uk/events

Pictured: Spotless, Aberdeen City Council mascot; Susan Crighton, Director of Fundraising, Charlie House; the Lord Provost of Aberdeen Barney Crockett; Donna Deans, Fundraising Coordinator, Charlie House; and Charlie Dog, Charlie House mascot.