Welcome to your latest In Touch newsletter
There’s no better antidote to the bitter snow and ice of a north-east winter than the bright, sparkling lights of Christmas in the Granite City.
So, we are delighted to be part of the team bringing the Aberdeen Christmas Village and Curated In The Square to glittering life – working alongside Aberdeen City Council, Codonas and Charlie House.
This attractive and vibrant city centre setting always creates such a fun, festival atmosphere that really brings the festive spirit to the hundreds of thousands of people who will flock into the heart of Aberdeen for the next six weeks.
And that’s not the only way Team Aberdeen Inspired is tripping the light fantastic in the city centre.
We are thrilled to have Costa Aberdeen on board as named sponsors for the Brewed Bright: Costa Christmas Illuminations that are transforming three iconic Union Street buildings into fun, festive displays.
It really is fantastic to see the Capitol, Trinity Hall and the former RBS building at St Nicholas Square looking so brilliantly Christmassy with these stunning projections.
But don’t take my word for it... come into our safe, welcoming and connected city centre to see it for yourself.
Take time to explore the wonderful stalls at Curated In The Square, which this year is right in the heart of the Christmas Village at Marischal Square. You will find some of the finest creatives, makers and traders in the north-east with unique goods, from food to jewellery, crafts to fashion, that you won’t find at any other festive market in the UK.
Soak up the atmosphere of the village itself, with its fun rides, skating rink, and rich range of food and drink stalls, turning Broad Street and surrounds into a winter wonderland.
While you are in town, explore the great shopping experience and the rich choice of restaurants, cafes and bars that makes Aberdeen’s hospitality sector one of the best in the country.
And by supporting local you will be giving businesses – and the city centre - the Christmas gift of a major economic boost.
There really is so much to see and do in our beautiful city and what better time of year to discover – or fall back in love with – Aberdeen than when it as its festive best and truly is the friendly, festive city?
Best wishes,
Adrian Watson,
Chief Executive, Aberdeen Inspired
STORIES
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Union Street iconic buildings lit up with festive Christmas animations
Three of the most iconic buildings on Union Street will become glittering beacons of Christmas cheer with massive eye-catching animated illuminations for the festive season.
The stunning graphics projected on to the Capitol, Trinity Hall and former RBS building at St Nicholas Square will be unveiled at the Christmas Parade makes its way through the city centre this Sunday (November 16).
The drive to add even more festive sparkle to the Granite City comes from Aberdeen Inspired, with Costa Coffee Aberdeen as named sponsored as part of the UK-wide Costa Christmas Catch Up campaign.
Image credits - Aberdeen City Council
Granite City's festive celebrations begin with Aberdeen Christmas Village opening
Aberdeen’s glittering festive celebrations were officially launched with the opening of the Christmas Village on Broad Street and the start of the Curated In The Square festive market.
Organised by John Codona’s Pleasure Fairs on behalf of Aberdeen City Council and Aberdeen Inspired, the Village will be open seven days a week throughout the festive period until 31 December.
Aberdeen Lord Provost, Dr David Cameron, opened the Christmas Village alongside Adrian Watson, Chief Executive of Aberdeen Inspired. They were joined by panto characters from Aberdeen Arts Centre and Charlie Dog from local charity Charlie House.
Image credits - Aberdeen Performing Arts
Aberdeen’s Cinderella Pumpkin Hunt winner SHALL go to the ball!
You SHALL go to the ball, Ella McCulloch – and your mum and dad are going too!
Five-year-old Ella, from Cove, was winner of the Cinderella Pumpkin Hunt – a fun, family-friendly trail around the city centre during the October holidays, devised by Aberdeen Performing Arts and supported by Aberdeen Inspired.
Ella and her family successfully found secret letters at participating shops and businesses and was able to put them together to form the magical word TRANSFORMATION.
Image credits - AberNecessities
AberNecessities nominated in national ‘giveback’ competition
The BIG Christmas Giveback is a national competition that recognises the people and organisations making a positive impact on local communities, with £1,500 in Aberdeen Gift Cards as a possible prize.
An Aberdeen charity committed to ensuring children don’t go without at Christmas has been nominated in a national competition, The BIG Christmas Giveback, that seeks to shine a light on the people and organisations making a positive impact on local communities.
AberNecessities, which will run its Christmas ‘no child should go without believing in magic’ this year says demand for its support is continuing to rise, with 5000 children set to receive a bespoke Christmas Eve box, up from 3000 in 2024.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Still time to nominate your local here with Aberdeen Gift Card
The UK’s most successful local gift card is giving back to the community with a festive campaign that celebrates local heroes.
Backed by the Aberdeen Gift Card, the BIG Christmas Giveback is a national competition that recognises the people and organisations making a positive impact on local communities.
The person or organisation with the most nominations in the competition will win a £1,000 Town & City Gift Card, such as the Aberdeen Gift Card, with one person who nominated them winning a £500 gift card. Entries close on November 28.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Winter marketing campaign launched celebrating the region’s Northern Nights
VisitAberdeenshire has unlocked a second season of Northern Nights, a promotional campaign to attract visitors to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire during the winter months.
Aberdeen Inspired is backing the campaign which aims to extend the visitor season by promoting the experiences under the bright lights of the city, and the starry skies of rural Aberdeenshire.
The drive will have a significant focus on experiences that can be enjoyed in the city either side of the festive season, with starlight shining on major events like Granite Noir and Spectra, as well as providing inspiration for visitors to create cultural trails into lesser-known parts of the city.
You can read more about it here
Image credits - Celebrate Aberdeen
Lifetime achievement award for Celebrate Aberdeen founder, Morven Mackenzie, welcomed by Aberdeen Inspired
Aberdeen Inspired has welcomed Celebrate Aberdeen founder Morven Mackenzie being presented with a Lifetime Achievement Award at a glittering ceremony recognising the Granite City’s third sector organisations.
The honour was announced at the sixth annual Celebrate Aberdeen Awards at the weekend when winners were also announced in eight categories from a shortlist of 24 finalists.
Morven was lauded in recognition of the contribution she has made over the past 14 years to champion the incredible work carried out by the third sector across the region.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Help us shape the future of Aberdeen city centre
Aberdeen Inspired is in the process of crafting a business plan for 2026 to 2031 and want our levy-payers to have their say.
We would like your thoughts and priorities on how we can create and promote an attractive, safe and welcoming city centre.
We also want to hear your views on how we are helping your business, plus any other priorities you think Aberdeen Inspired can help you with.
Image credits - Aberdeen Inspired
Curated in the Square Stallholder Spotlight: Meet Sarah Leask
We are delighted to put Sarah Leask, a talented Aberdeen-based watercolour artist, in the frame as one of our Curated in the Square stallholders.
Her vibrant designs are inspired by her Shetland Isles roots, bringing a splash of colour and joy to everyday life, with prints, mugs, and gifts.
Her eye-catching works would make perfect festive treats for your home or thoughtful presents for someone special.