And it's open... Lord Provost Dr David Cameron and Dominique Dawson, representing Aberdeen Inspired, opened the Aberdeen Christmas Village. Image - Aberdeen Inspired.
Christmas in Aberdeen burst into spectacular life today as the Christmas Village on Broad Street was officially opened in a blaze of colour and excitement.
It heralds six-weeks of festive, family fun in the heart of Aberdeen with the village – organised by Codona’s on behalf of Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen Inspired, attracting thousands of people, seven days a week right up to Hogmanay.
Visitors and locals alike can join in the fun, including new thrill ride ‘The Twist’ as well as family favourites such as the ice rink, ferris wheel, bungy trampolines and children’s carousel.
The village features more local food than ever before, including Tucan, Big Manny’s Pizza, Cookie Cult, Vegan Bay Baker and many more.
Spectacular - pipers and dancers heralded the opening of the Aberdeen Christmas Village. Image - Aberdeen Inspired
The Curated in the Quad Christmas Market opens tomorrow and has grown to include 45 festive stalls open Friday to Sunday each week. Uniquely for Scotland the market showcases a line-up of locally made gifts, crafts, food and drink, with a variety of stalls changing every weekend. Last year the market, which is run by Charlie House raised £24,500 for the charity.
Aberdeen Lord Provost, Dr David Cameron, officially opened the Christmas Village alongside Dominique Dawson, representing Aberdeen Inspired. They were joined by panto characters from Aberdeen Arts Centre and Charlie Dog from charity Charlie House.
The Lord Provost said: “The Aberdeen Christmas Village is a hugely popular addition to Aberdeen’s Christmas events programme and today’s official opening has well and truly sprinkled some festive sparkle across the city centre.
“I am delighted to see that more local traders, the most there has ever been, are taking part in this year’s Christmas Village and Market, allowing them to showcase their exceptional food, drink and seasonal gifts.”
Looking good on Broad Street. Image - Aberdeen Inspired.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “I am delighted that Aberdeen’s glittering festive season is now officially underway with the opening of the sparkling Yuletide feast of delights that is the Christmas Village.
“With so much to see, do and enjoy on and around Broad Street – not least the unique Curated In The Quad festive market with its roster of local producers and creatives – I am sure thousands of people will flock into the heart of Aberdeen to be filled with the Christmas spirit.”
John Brebner, Chief Executive Officer at Charlie House said: “The opening of Aberdeen’s Christmas Village is always an exciting event for our city and for Charlie House. This year, we are welcoming 45 remarkable local businesses to Curated in the Quad within the Marischal College Quadrangle, which will leave Christmas shoppers spoiled for choice for six magical weekends.
“We wish to extend thanks to the organisations who help make this possible and for the community’s loyal support for Charlie House, all year round.”
Crowds gathered for the opening ceremony. Image - Aberdeen Inspired.
Codona’s Operations Director Ian Littlewood said: “We are extremely excited about the event this year. The new layout and huge number of extra stalls at the Curated in the Quad Chistmas Market is going to look spectacular, coupled with great local street food at the village from Big Mannys’ Pizza, We Love Crumble, Tucan and Hot Chip is going to make the Christmas Village bigger and better for 2024.”
As well as Aberdeen Christmas Village, Union Terrace Gardens will be festively lit for the season, featuring a new candy cane lane. Also new for this year is the Christmas Light-up Trail, which will see 12 festive decorations located across the city centre.
Aberdeen’s annual Christmas parade returns this Sunday (November 17) along with the Charlie House Santa Fun Run. The festive parade celebrations start at 5.15pm on Union Street and Union Terrace. The Union Street Christmas lights and the Castlegate Christmas tree will also be switched on this weekend.
Full details of all the festive events and activities, including road and traffic diversions, can be found on our website: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/christmas
Good boy... Charlie Dog from Charlie House helped make the opening a fun event. Image - Aberdeen Inspired