Evening Telegraph (First Edition)
Dundee set to sparkle with light nights event
DUNDEE is set to sparkle tomorrow as the city’s Lights Nights celebrations get under way.
The evening of displays, performances and food and drink is the finale of the Festival of Architecture 2016 and marks the beginning of Dundee’s Christmas celebrations.
Proceedings kick off at 4pm with the opening of the night market at Slessor Gardens — featuring local producers of food, drink and gifts — the illumination of V&A Dundee across the road and a series of projections played across the back of the Caird Hall.
The city centre will also play host to interactive art experiences for passersby to engage with.
Dundee digital designers Biome Collective have created a light and sound display on the Old Steeple especially for the festivities.
Meanwhile, the underground pass at Crichton Street, between City Square and Castle Street, will house local musicians for exclusive acoustic performances until 9pm.
From 6pm until 9pm, the Dundee Pavilion in Slessor Gardens will host a virtual reality headset which will allow visitors to sneak a peek at how the completed Waterfront will look in fully realised 3D.
A Wishing Wall on Shore Terrace will encourage Dundonians, as well as visitors from further afield, to make a wish and light a candle at the wall.
More traditional celebrations will begin at 6pm at St Paul’s Cathedral, where pupils from the Harris Academy choir and Woodwind Ensemble will entertain with a selection of Christmas carols.
Immediately after, at 6.30pm, the annual torchlight procession will march from the McManus Galleries to the Caird Hall. The parade will feature lanterns made by locals and community groups and the Christmas lights switch-on will begin in the City Square. Councillor Will Dawson urged people to make the most of it, adding: “Light Nights will be the biggest Christmas event Dundee has ever seen. “I’d encourage everyone to take the opportunity to come along and enjoy the packed programme of free activities and events suited to all age groups and interests.”