Aberdeen Christmas Village Information

Christmas in Aberdeen 2024

Thursday 14 November - Tuesday 31 December, Broad Street

In partnership with Codona’s and Aberdeen Inspired, we are thrilled to bring the Aberdeen Christmas Village back to the city centre. There is something for the whole family including a spectacular outdoor ice rink, local Christmas Market, food & drinks and a wonderful festive fairground with both new and returning attractions. 

Festive Opening Hours*

Monday- Thursday: 12pm - 10pm

Friday: 12pm - Midnight

Saturday - 10am - Midnight

Sunday - 10am - 10pm

Open 11am midweek during school holidays. (23rd, 24th, 27th, 30th Dec)

Christmas Day: CLOSED

Boxing Day: CLOSED

Tuesday 31st December - 10am – 10pm

 

*See opening times for specific attractions in the sections below

 

Our charity partner for 2024 is Charlie House.

Aberdeen Christmas Village is brought to you by Aberdeen City Council, Codona’s and Aberdeen Inspired

New for this year is our fantastic Twister! For our younger visitors, festive favourites such as the Helter Skelter and Candy Cane Bungee Trampolines return along with the fantastic new Bavarian Fun House.

Monday - Thursday, 12pm - 10pm

Friday, 12pm - 11pm

(School Holidays open from 11am Monday - Friday)

Saturday, 10am - Midnight

Sunday, 10am - 10pm

*children’s rides close at 7pm daily.  

The fairground rides available and prices:

  • Ferris Wheel (£4 per person)
  • Bavarian Fun House (£3 or £5 for one adult and one child)
  • Bungy Trampolines (£6 per person)
  • Balloon Ride (£3 per person)
  • Children's Carousel (£3 per person)
  • Helter Skelter (£3 per person or £5 for one adult and one child)
  • Avalanche (£4 per person)
  • Twister (£4 per person)

Against the beautiful backdrop of Marischal College, skate on real ice under twinkling fairy lights while your family and friends watch from the viewing area and enjoy the refreshments on offer within the Village.

Monday - Friday, 12pm - 10pm (School Holidays open from 11am Monday - Friday)

Saturday & Sunday, 10am - 10pm

Off peak offer available 12pm-6pm Monday - Thursday (excluding school holidays):

£5.00 per session (per person) for 20 minutes, including skate hire.

All other times - £8.00 per session

Prices stated are per person, for 20 minutes, including skate hire.

*Please note that there is no pre-booking required for the ice skating. Ice skates will be provided; however, individuals can take their own personal skates as well if they choose. 

Codona's, in partnership with local charity We Too!, will be hosting Relaxed Skating Sessions on various dates (further information and dates will be released on both the Aberdeen Christmas Village and We Too! social media pages).  Relaxed sessions are predominantly for participants to access a sensory adapted, reduced capacity event to enjoy as a family together. For further information email: events@wetoo.org.uk and sales@codonas.com 

Food and Drinks:

Monday - Thursday, 12pm - 10pm

Friday, 12pm - Midnight

(School Holidays, open from 11am Monday - Friday)

Saturday, 10am - Midnight

Sunday, 10am - 10pm

The ‘Village Square’ which will be located at the heart of Aberdeen Christmas Village draws on inspiration from European Christmas markets. Enjoy the outdoor area with covered seating, where families & friends can come together to spend quality time and celebrate the festive period.

The Village Square provides a comfortable relaxed environment to enjoy a selection of street food which includes German Bratwursts from the Swing Grill, mulled wine and festive cocktails curated by Ten Dollar Shake and local craft beer from Fierce.

New for this year's Village Square - enjoy some tasty treats from We Love Crumble and Tucan plus established favourites Big Manny's Pizza and Hot Chip. As well as sweet seasonal delights from the Sweet Haus which includes Dutch pancakes, churros and the welcome return of the indulgent Bailey's hot chocolate!

Friday 12pm-7pm

Saturday 11am-7pm

Sunday 11am-6pm. (Extended hours on Sunday 17th November: 11am - 8pm)

Our popular open-air Christmas Market returns to Marischal College Quadrangle from Friday to Sunday in the lead up to Christmas and has got even bigger for 2024.

Curated by Charlie House the market will have 45 individual traders showcasing a unique line up of locally produced crafts, arts and gifts, along with gourmet food and drink each weekend.

Dogs are welcome to attend Curated in the Quad, but must be kept on a short lead at all times. Owners must take responsibility for their dog at all times and pick up any mess left behind. 

Christmas Village Road and Traffic Restrictions

From 18:00 on 1 November 2024, until 18:00 on 10 January 2025, there will be a temporary prohibition of driving on Broad Street, Aberdeen, between its junctions with Gallowgate and Queen Street.  

From 06:00 on 8 November 2024, until 18:00 on 10 January 2025, Upperkirkgate, Aberdeen, is to close between its junctions with Gallowgate and Flourmill Lane and also Gallowgate Aberdeen, between its junctions with Little John Street and Upperkirkgate. An alternative route is available via Castle Street, King Street, West North Street, Mounthooly Roundabout and Gallowgate.  

Access to Flourmill Lane will be from Schoolhill and Upperkirkgate.

Waiting restriction changes 

1.           This order may be cited as “The Aberdeen City Council (Winter Festival, City Centre Area, Aberdeen) (Temporary Traffic Management) Order 2024” and shall operate from 18:00 on 1 November 2024, until 18:00 on 10 January 2025. 

2.           From 18:00 on 01 November 2024, until 18:00 on 10 January 2025, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on either side of Broad Street, Aberdeen, between its junctions with Union Street and Queen Street.  

3.           From 18:00 on 1 November 2024, until 18:00 on 10 January 2025, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on the south side of Littlejohn Street, Aberdeen, between its junctions with Gallowgate and West North Street with the exception of Blue Badge holders and the Co-Wheels Car Club.  

4.           From 18:00 on 1 November 2024, until 18:00 on 10 January 2025, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on the north side of Queen Street, Aberdeen, from a point 18 metres northeast of its junction with Broad Street, north eastwards for a distance of 40 metres or thereby, will be 2 Blue Badge holders bays and a loading bay as designated by the street markings.  

5.           From 18:00 on 1 November 2024, until 18:00 on 10 January 2025, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on the north side of Queen Street, Aberdeen, from a point 60 meters or thereby northeast of its junction with Broad Street, north eastwards for a distance of 20 meters or thereby, with the exception of Blue Badge holders,  Co-Wheels Car Club and Taxis 

8.           From 06:00 on 8 November 2024, until 18:00 on 10 January 2025, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on the south side of John Street, Aberdeen, between its junctions with George Street and Loch Street and on the north side between its junctions with Jopp's Lane and Loch Street.  

9.      From 06:00 on 8 November 2024, until 18:00 on 10 January 2025, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on the west side of Gallowgate, Aberdeen, from a point 9 metres west of its junction with Littlejohn Street, northwards for a distance of 20 metres or thereby, will be 3 Blue Badge holders bays as designated by the street markings.

10.   From 06:00 on 8 November 2024 until 18:00 on 10 January 2025, the existing one-way restriction and pedestrian zone on Schoolhill, Aberdeen, and Upperkirkgate, Aberdeen, corridor, between Belmont Street and Flourmill Lane, will be suspended for all vehicles. 

11.         From 18:00 on 8 November 2024, until 18:00 on 10 January 2025, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose on either side of roads as contained within Schedule One below: 

  
Schedule One   

Blackfriars Street, Aberdeen – for its whole length (except School Buses)

St. Andrew Street, Aberdeen – between Blackfriars Street and Charlotte Street 

Upperkirkgate, Aberdeen – for its whole length 

Carnegie’s Brae– for its whole length 

Netherkirkgate– for its whole length 

Schoolhill, Aberdeen - The whole length including the inset section of Schoolhill (except on the south side from a point 20 metres or thereby east of its junction with Belmont Street, eastwards for a distance of 32 metres or thereby and from a point 10 metres or thereby east of its junction with Back Wynd, eastwards for a distance of 30 metres or thereby for loading or unloading). 

Skene Street, Aberdeen - Between Rosemount Viaduct and Woolmanhill Roundabout, except from a point 30 metres or thereby, northeast of its junction with Spa Street, northwards for a distance of 60 metres or thereby, between the hours of 13:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday, for the purpose of loading or unloading of buses.  

Disabled parking provision in the area will be located on Queen Street and Littlejohn Street.

Cars/other vehicles

There have been changes in recent years to city centre roads however access continues to car parks and motorists can still get to destinations, just by using a different route than they’re perhaps used to.

All city centre car parks can be accessed without going through the city centre bus gates. In you're unsure, here's some handy videos of how to get to car parks avoiding the city centre bus gates:-

For the low emission zone, similar to those in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Dundee, you can check if your vehicle is compliant online. Drivers of non-compliant vehicles can still access the city centre by using 10 out of the 14 city centre car parks - College Street, Union Square, Trinity Centre, Virginia Street, Frederick Street, West North Street, Gallowgate, Loch Street, Harriet Street and Denburn.

You can find out more information about car parks via our website. 

Bus and trains

First Bus services cover Aberdeen with most coming into the city centre.

Most of Stagecoach services cover Aberdeenshire coming into the city centre or to the bus station at Union Square Shopping Centre.

Trains into the city centre can be viewed via Scotrail's timetable.

You can also find out more about Park and Ride services.

Night bus services from the city centre to key destinations across the city and into Aberdeenshire are available on weekends between Saturday 16 November 2024 to Sunday 5 January 2025. The services are operating from 12midnight to about 3am. The service will also be available on Hogmanay (31 December), also from 12midnight to about 3am. Find out more about Weekend Night Bus Services. 

Walking and cycling

You can find out where cycle parking is in the city centre online. 

 

Find out more information about the City Centre and Events. 

Dogs will be permitted into Curated in the Quad and must remain on a lead at all times. Owners should consider whether their dog is comfortable in busy and potentially loud environments before taking their dog along to the Christmas Village or Curated in the Quad. Any mess must be cleared by the owner. 

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