A number of festive events are taking place across Tayside and Fife in the run-up to Christmas – from lights switch-ons to winter markets.
Here’s a list of some of the events across the area:
Dundee
Lights switch-on
Santa will visit Dundee city centre on Friday, November 15 as the official lights switch-on is carried out at the City Square. Events begin at 5.30pm with a torch-lit procession arriving in the City Square from the McManus at 6.45pm. There will also be a Christmas ceilidh, Santa Bus and a silent disco. The lights will be turned on at 6.45pm.
Festive Market
The Dundee Festive Market will be at the Wellgate Shopping Centre from Friday, November 29 to Sunday, December 1. The event will be a showcase for about 100 local businesses, with food, drinks and gifts all on show.
Santa Dash
An army of Old St Nicks will take to the streets of Dundee for the annual Santa Dash, which is happening on Sunday, December 1 from 10.30am. Participants can walk or run the 2k or 4k routes in their Santa suits. The event raises cash for the Archie Foundation.
Broughty Ferry
The Broughty Ferry Christmas lights will be switched on on Thursday, November 14. Events get under way at 6pm. There will be live music from tribute act Spice World, songs from Thomson Leng Musical Society’s production of Aladdin and a Christmas sing-along.
Gillies Christmas window display unveiling
The beloved window display at Gillies on Broughty Ferry’s Brook Street will be revealed at noon on Thursday, November 14.
Lochee
The Lochee Christmas lights switch-on is due to take place on Friday, December 6.
Perth
Perth’s Christmas lights switch-on event will take place around a day of festive celebrations on Saturday, November 15.
A parade and fireworks display will also take place with the lights being switched on by local youngster Lily Douglas alongside Provost Dennis Melloy at 6.15pm.
Events begin on the main stage at 2pm. After the switch-on acts taking to the stage will include Stephen Mulhern, Basil Brush, Atomic Kitten, Dario G and Nina Nesbitt.
Festive market
The Perth Festive Market will run from Thursday, November 14 until Sunday, November 17.
Perthshire
Aberfeldy
The Aberfeldy Christmas Fair will be held on Saturday, November 30 from 10am until 4pm. The Vale of Atholl Pipe Band will be joined by Santa and his reindeer for a parade. There will also be a Santa’s Grotto, music performances, a candle-lit parade and Christmas carols.
Pitlochry
The Pitlochry Christmas Festival will be held on Saturday, December 7 from noon until 4.15pm. Stalls will be in place throughout the town. There will also be children’s activities, a mini Highland Games, music and more. The event will culminate with the official switch-on of the town Christmas tree lights outside the Fishers Hotel at 4pm.
Angus
Arbroath
The Arbroath Christmas lights switch-on will take place in Kirk Square on November 29 starting at 6pm. There will be music and an early visit from Santa. A Victorian Crafters Market will also be in place on Market Place between 2pm and 7pm.
Montrose
The Montrose Christmas lights switch-on will take place on December 7 on the High Street. Festivities begin from 11am and last until 7pm. Santa’s land train and his grotto will be in town. There will also be craft stalls, live music, Highland dancing and more.
Brechin
Brechin’s Christmas in the City event, which includes a lights switch-on, will take place on November 30 in St Ninian’s Square. The fun begins at 12.30pm. Festivities will include a funfair, craft stalls, Santa’s Grotto and more. The lights will be turned on at 4.30pm.
Smyleetots Annual Christmas Market
The Smyleetots Annual Christmas Market will take place on Friday, November 15 at Brechin’s Mechanics’ Institute from 6.30pm to 9pm. There will be more than 25 stalls, a raffle and a visit from Santa.
Forfar
Forfar’s Christmas lights switch-on takes place from noon until 6pm on November 30 at The Cross. There will be stalls, carol singing and a visit from Santa. The Christmas tree lights will be switched on at 4.30pm.
Carnoustie
Carnoustie High Street’s Christmas lights will be turned on between 4pm and 6.30pm on November 24.
Barry Mill
The Barry Mill Christmas Fair returns on November 23 from 11am until 3pm. Santa will pay a visit to the mill, where there will be local crafts and food available throughout the day.
Kirriemuir
Kirriemuir’s lights switch-on will take place on the same day as its festive market on November 23. The stalls will be open in the Town Hall from 10am. The lights will be turned on at 4pm in the square. There will also be a Santa’s Grotto.
Glamis
The Glamis Christmas Market will take place from December 13 to 15 at the castle. There will be a range of stalls, guided tours of the castle, winter walks along the grounds and a Santa’s Grotto.
Monifieth
Monifieth’s lights switch-on takes place on November 24 from 3pm until 5pm at the Reform Street Car Park. There will be carol singing, a brass band, Santa’s Grotto and Christmas punch.
Kingennie
The Kingennie Christmas Market returns from November 23 to 24 at the Forbes of Kingennie Country Resort.
Aberlemno
The Aberlemno Village Hall Christmas Craft Fair will take place on November 30 from 10am to 1pm.
Edzell
The Edzell Christmas Shopping Evening will take place on December 6 from 6pm until 9pm at the Inglis Memorial Hall. There will be a range of stalls with some local shops agreeing to stay open late.
Fife
Dunfermline
Lights switch-on
The Dunfmerline Christmas lights switch-on takes place in the town centre on Saturday, November 16. Events get under way at noon and last until 6pm. The lights will be turned on at 5.30pm. Kerr James will perform at the event. There will also be a parade and a market taking place in the Kingsgate Shopping Centre.
Craft Fayre
The Carnegie Hall will host a Christmas Craft Fayre on Sunday, December 8. It will feature local crafts, carol singing and a visit from Santa too.
Kirkcaldy
Lights switch-on
The Kirkcaldy Christmas lights switch-on will take place on Saturday, November 23 from 4.30pm – 6.30pm.
Xmas Party
Langtoun Jazz is hosting a Vintage Christmas Party at Linton Lane Community Centre on December 14 from 6pm.
St Andrews
The St Andrews winter lights were turned on in early November.
Christmas Market
Balgrove Larder’s Christmas Night Market returns from December 3-4 from 4pm until 8pm. Both nights will feature different line-ups with a range of local food and drinks producers.
Cupar
Cupar’s Light switch-on and market
The Cupar lights switch-on and Christmas Market will be held on Saturday, November 30.
Tayport
Tayport’s Christmas lights switch-on takes place on Sunday, December 1 at the Burgh Chambers Gardens. Events begin at 2pm and end at 5pm. There will be a Santa fun run, brass band music and a raffle. The lights will go on at 4pm.
Newport-on-Tay
Christmas Cheer
The Newport Christmas lights switch-on celebrations are on Thursday, November 28. There will be performances, street food and shops will be open late. Events start at 4pm and run until late.
Hill Of Tarvit
Hill Of Tarvit Mansion and Gardens will host a Christmas Fair on November 30 and December 1.
Falkland
Falkland Vintage Christmas Fair takes place at the community hall on Sunday, December 1 from 11am until 4pm.
Newburgh
Newburgh’s Christmas Lights switch-on will take place on Saturday, November 23 at St Katherine’s Court. Events begin at 3pm and end at 4.15pm. Santa and his helpers will be there. There will also be music, stalls and a raffle.
The lights will be switched on at about 4pm by the winner of the local school’s Design a New Light competition.
