Dundee’s West End Christmas Fortnight is just around the corner – here are some of the best events taking place this year.
The 2022 festival is the largest in its 22-year history and will run from this Saturday until December 10.
It features 56 events open to all, including a Christmas concert, markets and a lights switch on.
Locals will also be welcome to join coffee mornings, competitions and craft workshops – as well as talks, a walking tour of the West End and an event to celebrate the centenary of the Logie scheme.
Here’s a round-up of what to expect.
Dundee West Church Christmas Coffee Morning
From 10am to noon Saturday 26th, Dundee West Church on Perth Road will host a coffee morning – with various stalls – for all.
Tickets are £4.
Make your own earrings workshop
Also on Saturday 26th, from 2pm to 4pm, those looking to make a special Christmas gift can attend an upcycling workshop to turn old and broken jewellery into new pieces.
The class, led by Transition Dundee, will take place on the Nethergate and tickets are £10.
Crafted Festive Market at DCA
From 11am to 5.30pm Saturday 26th, Dundee Contemporary Arts (DCA) on the Nethergate will host its free-to-attend festive craft and design market.
Visitors can expect to see the work of talented designers and makers in the fields of jewellery, textiles, illustration, print, homeware and more, all offering a wide range of great gift ideas.
Exclusively Highlands Christmas Market at Discovery Point
From 10am to 4pm on both Saturday and Sunday, a Christmas fair will be held at the newly transformed Discovery Point at Discovery Quay on Riverside Drive.
A range of cheese, gin, game, beer, seafood, fudge, marshmallows and a wonderfully unique collection of jewellery, art, ceramics, ironwork, tweed accessories, textiles, candles will be available – all “lovingly handmade in Scotland” for the event.
Christmas Fayre at Verdant Works
The Verdant Works jute museum will also host a magical Christmas market this weekend, from 11am to 4pm on both Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th.
Taking place within the iconic high mill, it is the perfect opportunity to get into the festive spirit and find special gifts for friends, family and loved ones from the best local makers and crafters.
West End Christmas Market and light switch-on
One of the highlights of the two-week festival is the West End Christmas Market, which will take place on Thursday December 1 from 4pm to 8pm at the Miller’s Wynd car park and community fridge on Perth Road.
Visitors will be able to enjoy hot food and drink stalls and music and entertainment while they browse Christmas gifts.
There will also be a lights switch-on at 7.15pm, before Santa pays a visit and distributes goody bags to children.
The West End Christmas Concert
Another key event in the calendar is the West End Christmas Concert, taking place from 6.15pm to 7.05pm on Thursday December 1 at Dundee West Church on Perth Road.
It will feature Harris Academy and St John’s RC High School as well as five primary schools – St Joseph’s RC PS, Blackness PS, Tayview PS, Ancrum Road PS and Victoria Park PS – along Cherry Blossom Nursery School, Girls’ Brigade and Scottish singer Sheena Wellington.
Shoppers’ night in the West End
In addition to the West End Christmas Market and West End Christmas Concert, many west end shops will have late opening and special offers on Thursday December 1.
‘From Garden to Eden’
At 10.30am on Saturday December 3, a free talk will be held at Blackness Library by Iain Flett on the history of the Eden Project site.
Those in attendance will be invited to take a seat, have a cup of tea, and enjoy an hour of Dundee history with the retired city archivist.
Christmas at The Gate Church
From 3pm to 5pm on Sunday December 4, the Gate Church on Perth Road will host a community Christmas celebration with carols, sweet treats as well as a visit from Santa Claus.
Sustainable Gifting Workshop
Transition Dundee will host another eco-friendly workshop on Tuesday December 6 from 6pm to 8pm, covering how to gift more sustainably this Christmas.
Those in attendance can enjoy a “fun and sociable evening” for £5 and will be able to take some crafts home with them.
Public Art West End walking tour
University museum curator Matthew Jarron will host an informal guided tour of public art in the west end of Dundee at 3pm on Wednesday December 7.
Works will include pieces from the Blackness Public Art Programme as well as many recent additions.
West End Community and Business Awards night
The West End Community and Business Awards night – which all are welcome to attend – will be held at The Vine events space on Magdalen Yard Road on Thursday December 8 from 7pm to 9pm.
It will welcome guest speaker Kevin Frediani, a Botanic Gardens curator.
Louisiana Fairytale Riverboat Jazz Band Concert
The Louisiana Fairytale jazz and will provide an hour of musical entertainment at a free concert at The Gate on Perth Road.
Booking is not required for the event, which will take from 6.30pm to 7.30pm on Friday December 9.
Children’s Craft events
Two free craft workshops aimed at young children will be hosted at Logie and St John’s (Cross) Church Hall on Saturday 10 December.
Booking is essential for the classes, which will be led by Lisa Earl Design, who is behind the popular workshop ‘Create … Kids Create Crafts’.
For a full list of upcoming events see the West End Christmas Fortnight Facebook page.
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