Create your ultimate festive season in Dundee with our planner guide. Find all the top holiday events and activities. From Dundee die-hards to curious explorers, our guide illuminates the city's seasonal splendor.
Step into the holiday magic with the Dundee Christmas Light Switch-On, transforming the city into a glittering festive wonderland. Experience the charm of the season through art and history at Christmas at the McManus, where holiday exhibitions and activities await. And the Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Panto is something you definitely don't want to miss, blending classic tales with festive fun. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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The Top Christmas Events in Dundee
- Dundee Christmas Light Switch-On
- Christmas at the McManus
- Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Panto
- Christmas Market at Slessor Gardens
- Tayside Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert
- Christmas at Verdant Works
- Christmas Racing at Dundee Ice Arena
Dundee Holiday Light Displays
Dundee Christmas Light Switch-On
What to Expect:
City-wide illumination ceremony
Description:
Dundee transforms as thousands of twinkling lights ignite simultaneously across the city. This grand illumination ceremony marks the official start of the holiday season in Scotland's fourth-largest city. Visitors can join the countdown and witness the moment when darkness gives way to a dazzling display of lights. The event pays homage to Dundee's industrial heritage, with illuminated jute mills serving as a backdrop. You'll hear the cheers of the crowd echo through the streets as the city comes alive with light.
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Dundee Christmas Light Switch-On
Dundee Holiday Markets and Shopping
Christmas Market at Slessor Gardens
What to Expect:
Waterfront market with a focus on local artisans
Description:
Slessor Gardens, nestled along Dundee's revitalized waterfront, hosts a Christmas market that showcases the best of local craftsmanship. The event highlights Dundee's thriving creative scene, featuring handmade goods from the city's many artists and makers. Visitors can sample Dundee cake, a traditional Scottish fruit cake, while browsing unique gifts. The market's location offers stunning views of the River Tay and the new V&A Dundee, Scotland's first design museum. Artisans demonstrate their skills on-site, allowing you to witness the creation of bespoke items. The aroma of mulled wine wafts through the air, adding to the convivial atmosphere.
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Christmas Market at Slessor Gardens
Dundee Holiday Shows and Entertainment
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Panto
What to Expect:
Scottish twist on a classic fairy tale pantomime
Description:
Dundee's rendition of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs injects Scottish humor and local references into the beloved fairy tale. This pantomime tradition, dating back to the 16th century in Scotland, comes alive with kilted dwarfs and a wicked queen who might just have a Dundonian accent. The audience becomes part of the show, participating in call-and-response routines unique to British pantomime. You'll find yourself laughing at topical jokes and singing along to pop songs with cleverly rewritten lyrics. The performance blends slapstick comedy with stunning costumes, creating a theatrical experience that's quintessentially Scottish.
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Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs Panto
Tayside Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Blend of classical and Scottish traditional music
Description:
The Tayside Symphony Orchestra's Christmas concert fuses classical masterpieces with Scottish folk tunes, creating a unique auditory experience. This event showcases Dundee's rich musical heritage, which dates back to the city's time as a major whaling port when sailors brought back songs from around the world. Listeners can enjoy a rendition of Handel's Messiah followed by a rousing performance of traditional Scottish carols. The orchestra, founded in 1967, represents the cultural renaissance of Dundee. You'll be transported by the soaring melodies that echo through the concert hall, blending the familiar with the distinctly Scottish.
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Tayside Symphony Orchestra Christmas Concert
Dundee Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at the McManus
What to Expect:
Victorian-themed Christmas celebration in a historic museum
Description:
The McManus, Dundee's Art Gallery and Museum, steps back in time to celebrate Christmas as it was in the Victorian era. This unique event blends history and holiday cheer within the stunning Gothic Revival architecture of the building. Visitors can craft traditional Victorian ornaments while surrounded by priceless artworks and artifacts. The museum, opened in 1867 as a memorial to Prince Albert, showcases Dundee's rich cultural heritage alongside its festive offerings. Period-costumed staff bring the past to life, creating an immersive experience that transports you to Christmases of yesteryear.
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Christmas at Verdant Works
What to Expect:
Industrial heritage site transformed into a Victorian Christmas scene
Description:
Verdant Works, a former jute mill, transforms into a living tableau of a Victorian Christmas in industrial Dundee. This event brings to life the holiday celebrations of 19th-century mill workers, offering a glimpse into Dundee's textile manufacturing past. Visitors can try their hand at traditional textile crafts, creating Christmas decorations using techniques from the era. The mill, which once employed thousands, now serves as a museum showcasing Dundee's industrial heritage. You'll walk through authentically decorated spaces, experiencing the sights and sounds of a working-class Christmas from over a century ago.
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Christmas Racing at Dundee Ice Arena
What to Expect:
Competitive ice racing with a Christmas twist
Description:
Dundee Ice Arena hosts a high-octane Christmas racing event, combining the thrill of speed skating with holiday cheer. This unique competition features skaters in festive costumes racing around a track adorned with Christmas-themed obstacles. Spectators can cheer on their favorites as they navigate candy cane slaloms and dive through wreath-shaped hoops. The arena, which has been a cornerstone of Dundee's sporting community since 2000, comes alive with the sound of blades carving ice. You'll feel the rush of cold air as the racers whiz by, adding an exhilarating element to traditional holiday activities.
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Christmas Racing at Dundee Ice Arena
Nearby Events
Broughty Ferry Christmas Lights Switch-On (Broughty Ferry)
What to Expect:
Coastal village celebration with a maritime theme
Description:
Broughty Ferry, a charming coastal suburb of Dundee, illuminates its streets with a unique maritime-themed light display. This event captures the essence of the village's seafaring heritage, with light installations shaped like boats, lighthouses, and sea creatures. Visitors can take a lantern-lit walk along the beach, experiencing the contrast between the twinkling village lights and the dark waters of the Tay estuary. The 15th-century Broughty Castle, illuminated for the occasion, serves as a dramatic backdrop. You'll discover how this former fishing village has maintained its distinct identity while embracing the holiday spirit.
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Broughty Ferry Christmas Lights Switch-On