Organisers of Aberdeen Christmas Village aim to attract bumper crowds this festive season as the colourful attraction opens in its new home at the heart of the Granite City.
Led by Aberdeen Inspired in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and Codona’s, the winter wonderland attraction, which is now in its third year, is situated on Broad Street and promises more festive fun than ever before.
The Christmas Village was opened on Friday, November 17 and will run every day until Sunday, December 31 – except for Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
Opening times for the village, which is part of Christmas in Aberdeen, will be midday to 10pm on weekdays, 11am to 10pm during the school holiday period, and 10am to 10pm at weekends.
Familiar favourites from previous years have made a welcome return, including, the Helter Skelter, cups and saucers, an ice rink, and the Blizzard ride which is popular with thrill seekers. A traditional carousel has also been introduced this year.
Entrepreneurial schoolchildren and local start-up business owners were among the vendors at this weekend’s Community Christmas Market in Marischal College Quad. Young Enterprise, Elevator, Business Gateway and The Prince’s Trust have come together to provide a showcase for emerging talent in the local area.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “We are delighted to have opened Aberdeen Christmas Village and look forward to welcoming residents and visitors as they enjoy all of our attractions which provide a festive splash of colour to the city centre.
“The village has been extremely popular in previous years and we are pleased to have worked with our partners Aberdeen City Council and Codona’s to bring together a fantastic experience and we are looking forward to seeing everyone get into the Christmas spirit.
“One of our primary aims at Aberdeen Inspired is to increase footfall within the city centre and we are sure Aberdeen Christmas Village and the markets at Marischal College will do exactly that, while also bringing in benefits to local restaurants, businesses and shops as people enjoy everything our great city has to offer.
“We’ve listened to feedback and are delighted to welcome three very distinct markets to the footprint that will showcase north-east talent, from young entrepreneurs through to well established craft businesses. There ought to be something for everyone.”
Visitors will also be able to make a start on their Christmas present lists with FINE Christmas Food and Drink Market (Thursday, November 23 – Sunday, November 26) and then once again, for HAAN Christmas Design Market, which will run over three weekends in December (December 7-10, December 14-17, and December 21-23).
Aberdeen City Council Culture spokesperson Marie Boulton said: "We are delighted to be working in partnership with Aberdeen Inspired and Codona’s to bring what is the biggest and best ever festive offering to the city.
“Through our City Centre Masterplan Aberdeen City Council is committed to making Aberdeen an even more vibrant place to live, work and visit – and Christmas in Aberdeen creates over a month of activity that has something for everyone.
“The Christmas Village compliments Christmas in Aberdeen’s festive events line-up and will help to draw people into the city centre.
“It was hugely popular last year but in its new Broad Street location and with the exciting addition of the Community, FINE and HAAN markets in Marischal College Quad, I am sure even more people from the city, the surrounding area and from further afield will enjoy all that the Christmas Village and Christmas in Aberdeen have to offer this year.”
Alfred Codona, director of Aberdeen-based family amusement firm Codona’s, said: “We are pleased to be delivering the Aberdeen Christmas Village again, particularly as the public enjoyed it so much over the last two years and flocked to the city centre to enjoy everything it had to offer.
“At Codona’s it is our aim to create an exciting and fun atmosphere for visitors to our attractions and we have a new addition to our offering, the Gallopers carousel, as well as the usual favourites. We are looking forward to continuing our work with Aberdeen Inspired and other partners throughout the festive period to ensure a fun experience for everyone this Christmas.”
For more information about Christmas in Aberdeen 2017 and Aberdeen Christmas Village, please visit: www.aberdeencity.gov.uk/christmas17.
