The build-up to festive celebrations will get under way in Aberdeen next month with the opening of the Christmas Village and Lights Switch-On.
Aberdeen City Council, in partnership with John Codona’s Pleasure Fairs and Aberdeen Inspired, will officially open the Christmas Village on Broad Street in the city centre on Thursday 17 November.
The popular open-air ‘Curated in the Quad’ market will occupy the quadrangle at Marischal College each weekend (Fridays-Sundays) in the lead up to Christmas.
Curated by Charlie House and Aberdeen Inspired, ‘Curated in the Quad’ will showcase a unique line-up each week of locally produced crafts, arts and gifts, as well as food and drink.
In addition, visitors will also be able to enjoy a range of activities and events across the city centre during the festive period including:
- Christmas Tree Switch On – Thursday 17 November 2022
- Christmas Lights Switch-on Parade – Sunday 20 November 2022
- Christmas Sculpture Trail – Thursday 1 December 2022 to 24 December 2022
- Nativity Scene – Monday 28 November 2022 to Thursday 5 January 2023 (Blessing Event: 28 November)
- Carol Concerts – Saturday 17 December 2022
- Hogmanay – Saturday 31 December 2022
Aberdeen’s Christmas Tree, a Norwegian Fir tree gifted from the city’s twin city of Stavanger in Norway, will also be lit up on Thursday 17 November, with the ceremony being carried out by the Lord Provost of Aberdeen, Dr David Cameron, and Stavagner Deputy Mayor Dagny Sunnanaa Hausken.
Tutti Voice from Aberdeen Performing Arts will entertain the crowd and the Salvation Army Band accompanied by the Street Pastors will then play a selection of Christmas carols.
Also returning is the 12 days of Christmas Sculpture Trail, however this year participants will also be able to enjoy a new twist on the challenge, with QR codes being found on each sculpture revealing hidden characters to be found as well as a new prize draw for those taking part.
The festive period will finish spectacularly with this year’s Hogmanay celebrations in the city centre featuring live music on stage at Schoolhill.
Aberdeen City Council Education Convener Councillor Martin Greig said: “This has been a challenging year for many, so it seems even more appropriate than usual to take time at Christmas to celebrate and reflect.
“A range of activities and entertainments have been arranged in the city to help us mark this special time of year together. I hope we can offer the right kind of opportunities to allow people some enjoyment and peace.”
Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired said: “Aberdeen Inspired is delighted to support Aberdeen City Council and other partners in delivering an exciting Christmas offering this year. We all understand how difficult things are at the moment, but this events programme will help provide some much-needed festive cheer and bring many in from across the city and wider north east at a time when our city centre businesses have never needed it more.
“These events provide an opportunity for people to visit the wider retail and hospitality offering, which is the largest north of the central belt. “
In order to facilitate the delivery of the Aberdeen Christmas Village, temporary traffic orders will be in place from 6pm on 4 November 2022 to 10pm on 8 January 2023.
Disabled parking provision in the area will be located on Queen Street and Littlejohn Street.
Full of details of all the events and activities happening over the festive period, including road and traffic restrictions, can be found via our website.