Winter warm-up

Get ready for Christmas at these events

Get into the festive spirit in Dundee and Broughty Ferry this month with a host of winter events including the annual switching on of the Christmas lights and plenty of fun-packed family entertainment.

Dundee’s spectacular festivities will officially begin on Friday November 24 with the lights switch-on. Meanwhile, Broughty Ferry’s switch-on takes place on Thursday November 16 (turn to pages four and five to find out more).

Lights Nights will run in Dundee from November 24–26, beginning with a vibrant evening ceremony that includes a torchlight procession, pop-up Christmas market, silent movie screening with live music, outdoor concert, fireworks, carnival and a giant penguin called Pingoo making an appearance at Slessor Gardens!

In preparation for the torchlight procession on November 24, The McManus has been holding lanternmaking workshops for children and families who would like to take part in the event. There will be one tomorrow and on Sunday, both at 1.30pm. The family workshop is free, booking is required and under-8s must be accompanied by an adult.

On Saturday November 25 the Christmas market will continue at Slessor Gardens, accompanied by free live music, ice-carving demonstrations and a passing cavalcade of brightlycoloured electric cars travelling from Lochee to the city centre.

On Saturday evening The McManus will continue its 150th anniversary celebrations with a spectacular event of art, light and sound that will virtually turn the museum inside out. Drawn to Light brings together the work of visual artist Duncan Marquiss and musician Jonnie Common.

Marquiss has been working with the museum and art gallery for the past six months to bring a large-scale video installation to the exterior of the building. He was invited to explore the city’s extraordinary collection of objects and artworks to create the new work. He will be joined on the steps of The McManus for alive performance of a specially commissioned musical piece by Jonnie Common.

The roads around the building will be closed to allow up to 6,000 people to witness the event.

To round up the weekend, on Sunday November 26, scores of Santas will take to the streets of Dundee for the city’s first Santa dash. A fundraising event for The ARCHIE Foundation for sick children and a fun day out for all the family, people can take part and walk or run the route or come along as a spectator.

Visit dundee.com or leisureandculturedundee.com/santadash for more information about these events.

Dundee and Broughty Ferry will host Christmas lights switch-ons and a host of festive events.