Celebrate with the Aberdeen community! Our guide will lead you to all the holiday events and activities. Locals and travelers alike, explore the holiday magic of Aberdeen with our comprehensive guide.
One highlight of the season is Aberdeen's Winter Festival, where enchanting lights and festive markets create a warm holiday atmosphere. The Christmas Tree Switch-On Ceremony lights up the city center, featuring local performances and holiday cheer. And the Santa Run is something you definitely don't want to miss, as participants of all ages dash through the city in festive attire. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Aberdeen
- Aberdeen's Winter Festival
- Christmas Tree Switch-On Ceremony
- Santa Run
- Christmas Concert at Music Hall
- Holiday Lights Spectacular
- Nativity Scene at St. Nicholas Kirkyard
- Christmas Panto at HMT
- Christmas Craft Market at Bon Accord Centre
- Silent Disco Ice Skating
- Carols by Candlelight at St. Machar's Cathedral
Aberdeen Holiday Light Displays
Christmas Tree Switch-On Ceremony
What to Expect:
Ceremonial lighting of a Norwegian spruce tree
Description:
Aberdeen's Christmas Tree Switch-On Ceremony marks the official start of the holiday season. The event centers around the lighting of a towering Norwegian spruce, a gift from Aberdeen's twin city, Stavanger. The air fills with the scent of mulled wine as spectators gather. You can join in singing traditional carols led by local choirs. This tradition dates back to 1964, symbolizing the enduring friendship between Aberdeen and Norway. The ceremony ignites a spirit of community and international goodwill, illuminating Union Street with thousands of twinkling lights.
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Christmas Tree Switch-On Ceremony
Holiday Lights Spectacular
What to Expect:
Interactive light installations throughout the city
Description:
Aberdeen's Holiday Lights Spectacular transforms the city into a luminous canvas. This innovative event features interactive light installations scattered throughout Aberdeen's streets and parks. Visitors can manipulate some of the displays, creating their own light shows. The event incorporates Aberdeen's architectural heritage, using the city's granite buildings as stunning backdrops for the light projections. This modern take on holiday lighting began in 2018 and has quickly become a highlight of Aberdeen's winter calendar, blending technology with tradition to create a unique visual experience.
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Aberdeen Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Craft Market at Bon Accord Centre
What to Expect:
Showcase of local artisans and traditional Scottish crafts
Description:
The Christmas Craft Market at Bon Accord Centre spotlights Aberdeen's creative community. Local artisans display their handcrafted wares, from intricate Fair Isle knitwear to bespoke jewelry inspired by Scottish landscapes. The market hums with the energy of shoppers discovering unique gifts. Visitors can watch live demonstrations of traditional Scottish crafts, gaining insight into age-old techniques. This market, established in the 1990s, has become a vital platform for Aberdeen's artisans, supporting local businesses while offering shoppers an alternative to mass-produced items.
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Christmas Craft Market at Bon Accord Centre
Aberdeen Holiday Giving Opportunities
Santa Run
What to Expect:
Charity run with participants dressed as Santa Claus
Description:
Aberdeen's Santa Run paints the city red as hundreds of participants don Santa suits for a good cause. This lively charity event sees runners dashing through the streets, creating a sea of bobbing red hats and white beards. Participants can choose between a 5k run or a shorter family-friendly route. The run supports local charities, embodying the spirit of giving during the holiday season. Aberdeen's Santa Run originated in 2006 and has since become a beloved annual tradition, uniting the community in a display of festive fitness and philanthropy.
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Aberdeen Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Christmas Concert at Music Hall
What to Expect:
Classical concert in a historic 19th-century venue
Description:
The Christmas Concert at Music Hall showcases Aberdeen's rich musical heritage. Set in the grand 19th-century Music Hall, the concert features performances by the Aberdeen Choral Society and the Aberdeen Sinfonietta. The acoustics of this historic venue amplify the soaring voices and stirring instrumentals. Attendees can immerse themselves in a repertoire of classical Christmas compositions and beloved carols. The Music Hall, opened in 1822, has been a centerpiece of Aberdeen's cultural life for two centuries. This annual concert continues the tradition of bringing world-class music to the heart of the Granite City.
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Christmas Concert at Music Hall
Christmas Panto at HMT
What to Expect:
Scottish-style pantomime with local humor and traditions
Description:
The Christmas Panto at His Majesty's Theatre (HMT) delivers a uniquely Scottish twist on classic fairy tales. This boisterous production blends slapstick comedy, local humor, and audience participation, creating an experience that's quintessentially Aberdonian. Spectators can join in the traditional call-and-response, shouting "He's behind you!" at crucial moments. The panto at HMT, a tradition since the theatre's opening in 1906, showcases Aberdeen's theatrical talent and wit. Each year, the show injects fresh local references and topical jokes, ensuring a hilarious and relevant performance for all ages.
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Carols by Candlelight at St. Machar's Cathedral
What to Expect:
Candlelit carol service in a 15th-century cathedral
Description:
Carols by Candlelight at St. Machar's Cathedral transports attendees to a bygone era. The 15th-century cathedral, illuminated solely by candlelight, provides a breathtaking backdrop for this traditional service. The cathedral's renowned choir leads the congregation in beloved carols, their voices resonating through the ancient stone arches. Visitors can admire the cathedral's unique heraldic ceiling, dating back to 1520. This annual event, a staple of Aberdeen's Christmas calendar for decades, offers a moment of tranquility and reflection amidst the holiday bustle.
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Carols by Candlelight at St. Machar's Cathedral
Aberdeen Other Holiday Activities
Aberdeen's Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Month-long celebration encompassing multiple holiday events
Description:
Aberdeen's Winter Festival transforms the city into a hub of seasonal cheer. This month-long celebration brings together a diverse array of events, from traditional Scottish ceilidhs to modern light installations. Visitors can ice skate beneath the twinkling lights of Union Terrace Gardens. The festival pays homage to Aberdeen's rich maritime history, incorporating nautical themes into many of its decorations and activities. Embracing both old and new traditions, the Winter Festival illuminates Aberdeen's streets and warms the hearts of locals and tourists alike.
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Nativity Scene at St. Nicholas Kirkyard
What to Expect:
Life-sized nativity scene in a historic churchyard
Description:
The Nativity Scene at St. Nicholas Kirkyard brings the Christmas story to life in the heart of Aberdeen. Life-sized figures depict the biblical scene, set against the backdrop of the 12th-century St. Nicholas Kirk. The installation invites quiet contemplation amidst the bustle of the city center. Visitors can explore the historic kirkyard, final resting place of many notable Aberdonians. This tradition, started in the 1960s, continues to draw people of all faiths and backgrounds, offering a moment of peace and reflection during the holiday season.
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Nativity Scene at St. Nicholas Kirkyard
Silent Disco Ice Skating
What to Expect:
Ice skating synchronized to music through wireless headphones
Description:
Silent Disco Ice Skating in Aberdeen offers a novel twist on winter recreation. Skaters glide across the ice while listening to music through wireless headphones, creating a surreal scene of silent movement for onlookers. You can choose from multiple music channels, each offering a different genre or holiday playlist. This innovative event combines modern technology with the traditional winter activity of ice skating. Introduced in Aberdeen in 2019, Silent Disco Ice Skating has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors, offering a unique way to experience the joy of winter sports.
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Nearby Events
Christmas at Crathes Castle (Banchory)
What to Expect:
Holiday celebrations in a 16th-century Scottish castle
Description:
Christmas at Crathes Castle brings holiday cheer to this 16th-century fortress near Aberdeen. The castle's grand rooms are adorned with period-appropriate decorations, offering a glimpse into Scottish Christmases past. Visitors can explore the winter gardens, a maze of yew hedges planted in the 1700s. The event honors the castle's long history, with stories of past Christmases shared by costumed interpreters. Crathes Castle, owned by the same family for over 350 years, provides a unique setting for holiday celebrations, blending centuries-old traditions with modern festivities.