Dundee’s Christmas lights will be turned on tonight with the city promised a display which is “bigger and brighter than ever”.
The switch-on events will be followed by a number of events across the weekend heralding in the 2017 festive season.
Here’s everything you need to know about the weekend’s events.
Where will the lights switch-on take place?
Dundee City Square.
When do things get underway?
A torch-lit procession will take place between 6pm and 6.45pm, starting at the McManus, heading down Commercial Street and finishing at the City Square. Registration for this takes place from 5.30pm.
I just want to see the lights switch-on, when should I show up?
6.45pm (City Square) is when the official switch-on takes place. It will also be streamed on screen at Slessor Gardens.
What other activities will take place at the lights event?
A “big winter warm up” is taking place in the City Square at 7pm, after which the Dundee’s Got Soul Choir will play on the Caird Hall steps at 7.30pm.
In the Caird Hall itself Peter Pan will be screened at 7.30pm as part of “silent movie night”. Tickets are required.
There will be fireworks in the city centre at 8pm and light projections onto the Caird Hall.
Will there be many road closures?
Yes, this map will be helpful.
What is going on in Slessor Gardens?
A pop-up Christmas market is taking place at the new outdoor venue. Before and after the switch-on, events will be taking place. There will be street theatre and the chance to get a selfie with Pingoo. A bar will be open until 10pm.
Is anything else happening in Dundee?
Yes. There will be a Maggie’s Penguin Parade preview on Castle Street and throughout the whole day Hornes Carnival will be open across High Street, Murraygate and the Wellgate.
A Phyzog III art installation behind the Steeple Church on the Nethergate and the Dundee Nativity will take place inside the building itself at 7.15pm.
What about parking?
The council said there will be free Parking after 3pm in the Gellatly Street, Olympia and Greenmarket car parks on Friday.
Is anything happening on Saturday and Sunday?
Saturday:
The Dundee Nativity will take place again at the Steeple Church at 2.30pm and the Slessor Gardens Christmas market will continue from noon until 6pm with ice sculptures and Playgrid (from the people behind Pitlochry’s Enchanted Forest). The “Sound of Dundee Stage” will also be set up from 12.30pm until 6pm.
A Christmas Parade is happening from 1.30pm until 2pm on Lochee Road and from 2pm until 4pm in the city centre.
In the evening Drawn to Light will take place at the McManus from 7pm until 8.30pm.
Sunday:
The Dundee Nativity is on at the Steeple Church at 2.30pm.
The Santa Dash will start at 10.30pm in the City Square (sign up was required online before November 21). Hundreds of people dressed up as Old Saint Nick are expected to take part in the event in aid of the Archie Foundation.
