The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
City visitors urged to experience festive village life
A popular winter festival is set to be “bigger and better than ever”, according to Aberdeen’s culture chief.
It comes as the Aberdeen Christmas Village is set to open on Friday on Broad Street.
In its new location, it will feature a range of events and activities organised by Aberdeen City Council, Aberdeen Inspired and Codona’s Amusement Park.
And organisers are calling on those visiting the village to take a look inside Marischal College Quad – an area set to be transformed into a winter wonderland market.
The festive market is to feature vendors from Young Enterprise, The Prince’s Trust and Women in Business, who will be showcasing their products.
The following weekend the quad will be transformed to become the FINE Festive Food and Drink Market. A design market will run over three weekends during December.
Favourites such as the open-air ice rink are also set to return a reappearance, with fairground rides including a carousel, helterskelter and The Blizzard.
Aberdeen City Council’s culture spokeswoman, Marie Boulton, said: “People will see firm favourites such as the Christmas tree switch-on and Christmas lights switch-on, which will have some added sparkle as it will also mark football legend Denis Law’s Freedom of Aberdeen award. The addition of FINE and HAAN markets shows a clear change in direction for Christmas. We are excited to be bringing local producers and eclectic and artisan offerings to the unique setting of the Marischal College Quad.”
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “One of Aberdeen Inspired’s primary aims is to increase footfall within the city centre and we are sure that the attractions of the Aberdeen Christmas Village will do exactly that.”
“Favourites such as the open-air ice rink are also set to return”