Community benefits were an important factor in the success of last year’s Christmas Village in Aberdeen with Charlie House as the charity partner, local performing arts being showcased, a free Festive Fun Day with local charities and schools, fortnightly relaxed skating sessions, and a lighting trail partnership with 12 local charities.
The event also included a strong commitment to local food and use of local sub-contractors and suppliers, as well as supporting small scale makers of food and retail goods from the area through the Curated in the Square Christmas Market.
Council Co-Leader Councillor Ian Yuill said: “It is good to hear the positive response to the Christmas Market, which is organised by Aberdeen City Council with help from partners.
"I am pleased that an independent report showed 87% of people surveyed rated the market as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’."
Committee convener Councillor Alex Mclellan said: "I am pleased to see the positive response to the 2025 Christmas Village, and we will look forward to building on that success in future years."
An update on the success of the 2025 event was given to Aberdeen City Council’s Finance and Resources Committee and included key findings from an independent evaluation of the event. These included:
- 96% of visitors thought that the event should be repeated in future;
- 87% of visitors surveyed rated the market as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’;
- 88% of visitors from outside the city said that the Christmas Village improved their perception of Aberdeen;
- 82% said they were ‘very likely’ or ‘certain’ to recommend the event to friends and family;
- 94% rated the location as ‘good’ or ‘excellent’ – up 4% on prior year, with 98% saying that it felt like a safe environment;
- 50% said that the Christmas Village was their main reason for visiting the city centre, with 38% visiting the city centre and Christmas Village together – up 15% on prior year indicating stronger integration of the event within the broader city centre;
- The average spend per ‘party group’ was £44 across the Christmas Village and city centre – this is £2 less than previous year, however spend within the city centre increased by £4;
- 83% of city centre businesses surveyed responded that they strongly agreed the Christmas Village helped boost the city centre
- 90% of businesses in the Curated in the Square Market said that the stall was good for their business – this is down 7% on 2024, but perhaps reflects the impact of the change of location;
- 100% of businesses in the Curated Market were satisfied with their decision to become stallholders, with 97% willing to return in 2026.
Aberdeen’s Christmas Village is delivered through a partnership structure whereby Aberdeen City Council are the primary funder and Aberdeen Inspired support the Curated in the Square Christmas Market. John Codona’s Pleasure Fairs Ltd was appointed to carry out the operational management of the event.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “I am delighted that the Aberdeen Christmas Village and Curated In The Square have once again been highlighted as a massive gift to the Granite City – one that keeps on giving.
“These two glittering festive events brought so many people into the city centre, gave local traders a much-needed lift and supported the vital work of Charlie House – all while boosting the reputation of Aberdeen city centre.”
Changes made to the Christmas Village in 2025 included moving the Market to Marischal Square due to ongoing works in the Marischal College Quadrangle and this will be the same for 2026. Conversation is ongoing with Marischal Square with regards to utilising its footprint as per the 2025 event.