Plan your festive adventure in Dundee with our detailed event guide. From Dundee die-hards to curious explorers, our guide illuminates the city's seasonal splendor.
Popular events include the dazzling Castle of Light, where the historic surroundings are transformed into an enchanting display of lights and sounds. The Brisbane Avenue hosts Dundee's Christmas, featuring unique local stalls and festive activities that capture the holiday spirit. And the Christmas at the Botanics is something you definitely don't want to miss, showcasing beautiful gardens adorned with twinkling lights. See more details on these and other fun events and activities below!
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Top Holiday Events In and Around Dundee
- Castle of Light (Edinburgh)
- Edinburgh's Hogmanay (Edinburgh)
- Christmas at the Botanics (Edinburgh)
- Dundee’s Christmas
- Festive Design Market
- Beecraigs Festive Forest (Linlithgow)
- Christmas at The McManus
- Aberdeen Christmas Village (Aberdeen)
- Oban Winter Festival (Oban)
- Brodie Illuminated (Forres)
See these and even more events listed below!
Dundee Holiday Light Displays
Christmas at the Botanics
What to Expect:
Outdoor light trail with seasonal food and drink options.
Description:
Christmas at the Botanics features an illuminated trail with flickering candles, colour-changing lights, and festive snacks, set amidst the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Where: Edinburgh | More Info: Christmas at the Botanics
Beecraigs Festive Forest
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail with Santa's Grotto and Mrs. Claus storytelling.
Description:
Beecraigs Festive Forest is a spectacular family event set in the beautiful Beecraigs Country Park near Linlithgow. It features an illuminated trail, Santa's Grotto, Mrs. Claus storytelling experience, festive street food and drink, and various attractions.
Where: Linlithgow | More Info: Beecraigs Festive Forest
Christmas at Crathes
What to Expect:
Illuminated trail through a re-created Scottish Renaissance walled garden.
Description:
Celebrate Christmas at Crathes Castle, where an illuminated trail through the walled garden offers a festive and family-friendly experience.
Where: Aberdeenshire | More Info: Christmas at Crathes
Dundee Holiday Markets and Shopping
Dundee’s Christmas
What to Expect:
Real ice rink and local trader market.
Description:
Dundee’s Christmas Village is a vibrant celebration featuring a real ice rink, Christmas Market, funfair, and magical Santa Experience, all illuminated with dazzling lights.
Where: Dundee | More Info: Dundee’s Christmas
Festive Design Market
What to Expect:
Celebrating Scotland's creative talent with exclusive, high-quality designs.
Description:
The V&A Dundee Festive Design Market showcases Scotland's creative talent with a curated selection of unique, high-quality designs, offering a diverse range of artistic and crafted items.
Where: Dundee | More Info: Festive Design Market
Christmas Night Market
What to Expect:
Real ice rink and immersive Santa Experience.
Description:
Dundee's Christmas Village features a real ice rink, a Christmas Market with local traders, a funfair with thrilling rides, and a magical Santa Experience. The entire village is illuminated with dazzling lights, setting the scene for a series of special events throughout the festive period.
Where: Dundee | More Info: Christmas Night Market
Oban Winter Festival
What to Expect:
Dazzling light displays and festive market offerings.
Description:
Oban Winter Festival is a ten-day celebration featuring festive markets, live music, reindeer parades, and dazzling light displays. Enjoy local food, handmade crafts, and family-friendly activities in the picturesque coastal town of Oban.
Where: Oban | More Info: Oban Winter Festival
Aberdeen Christmas Village
What to Expect:
Unique weekend lineups with arts, crafts, and gourmet food.
Description:
The Aberdeen Christmas Village is a festive hub featuring an ice rink, fairground rides, live music, and a market selling gifts, gourmet food, and drinks. It is organized by Charlie House and runs for six weekends, offering something for every taste.
Where: Aberdeen | More Info: Aberdeen Christmas Village
Dundee Holiday Shows and Entertainment
The Rat Pack Christmas Show
What to Expect:
Las Vegas-style tribute show with iconic hits and special guests.
Description:
The Rat Pack Christmas Show is a tribute to the legendary trio, featuring iconic hits and seasonal classics, with a touch of Las Vegas glamour.
Where: Dundee | More Info: The Rat Pack Christmas Show
ABBAmania Christmas Party
What to Expect:
ABBA tribute show with extra Christmas song surprises.
Description:
ABBAmania Christmas Party is a spectacular tribute show celebrating 50 years since ABBA won Eurovision. Featuring sensational live performances of ABBA's hits like "Dancing Queen" and "Waterloo," along with extra Christmas song surprises, this event promises nearly two hours of pure ABBA nostalgia.
Where: Dundee | More Info: ABBAmania Christmas Party
Evening Telegraph Christmas Concert
What to Expect:
Dazzling musical performance by renowned artists.
Description:
The Evening Telegraph Christmas Concert at Gardyne Theatre features a highly successful concert returning to the venue, showcasing a dazzling journey into festive music with renowned performers.
Where: Dundee | More Info: Evening Telegraph Christmas Concert
Buddy Holly & The Cricketers
What to Expect:
Energetic performances of Buddy Holly's hits and rock 'n' roll classics.
Description:
Buddy Holly & The Cricketers is a high-energy tribute show featuring raw rock 'n' roll and beautifully haunting ballads, performed by five talented young actor-musicians who delight audiences with their fabulous show.
Where: Dundee | More Info: Buddy Holly & The Cricketers
Castle of Light
What to Expect:
Immersive light and sound show on historic Edinburgh Castle walls.
Description:
Castle of Light at Edinburgh Castle features immersive light installations and storytelling projections that bring Scotland's history to life. Meet Rex the loveable lion and explore Edinburgh's stories on the castle walls, with interactive installations and music.
Where: Edinburgh | More Info: Castle of Light
Edinburgh's Hogmanay
What to Expect:
Multi-day celebration with live music, street theatre, and fireworks.
Description:
Edinburgh's Hogmanay is a four-day festival featuring the Torchlight Procession, Concert in the Gardens with headliners Texas and special guest Callum Beattie, and the world-famous Street Party with live bands, DJs, street theatre, and unforgettable fireworks.
Where: Edinburgh | More Info: Edinburgh's Hogmanay
Dundee Other Holiday Activities
Christmas at The McManus
What to Expect:
Unique blend of art, history, and environmental exhibits.
Description:
Celebrate the holiday season at The McManus with a variety of exhibitions and activities that showcase Dundee's rich history and art.
Where: Dundee | More Info: Christmas at The McManus
Dundee Farmers’ Market
What to Expect:
Weekly market with local produce and artisanal goods.
Description:
The Dundee Farmers' Market is a weekly event held in City Square, featuring sustainable, family-run farms offering fruits, vegetables, and artisanal products. Local food and drink suppliers from Dundee, Fife, Angus, and Perthshire also participate, making it a great day out.
Where: Dundee | More Info: Dundee Farmers’ Market
Brodie Illuminated
What to Expect:
Whimsical garden walk with projection and light effects.
Description:
Explore Brodie Estate after dark with an illuminated trail, projection, light, and sound, featuring whimsical characters and a playful garden walk.
Where: Forres | More Info: Brodie Illuminated
Samhuinn
What to Expect:
Dramatic fire and drum performances marking the seasonal transition.
Description:
The Samhuinn Fire Festival is a modern re-imagining of an ancient Celtic festival, marking the transition from Summer to Winter with fire-play, drumming, and immersive performances. The story follows the overthrowing of Summer by Winter in a dramatic stand-off between the Summer and Winter Kings, overseen by the Cailleach, a Celtic representation of the Goddess.
Where: Edinburgh | More Info: Samhuinn
Stonehaven Fireballs Ceremony
What to Expect:
Ancient cleansing ritual with flaming ball swinging.
Description:
The Stonehaven Fireballs Ceremony is a unique Hogmanay event where approximately 40 men and women parade down the High Street, swinging fiercely flaming balls around their heads to welcome in the New Year and greet friends and neighbors.
Where: Stonehaven | More Info: Stonehaven Fireballs Ceremony
Burning of the Clavie
What to Expect:
Ancient fire festival with a burning barrel carried through town.
Description:
The Burning of the Clavie is a centuries-old fire festival in Burghead, Moray, where a flaming barrel is carried through the town and set ablaze on Doorie Hill, symbolizing good luck and new beginnings.
Where: Burghead | More Info: Burning of the Clavie
Festive Fun in Nearby Cities!
Discover Holiday events in hundreds of cities worldwide. Check out these nearby locations for more festive fun!
- Perth (18 miles)
- Glenrothes (20 miles)
- Kirkcaldy (25 miles)
- Dunfermline (33 miles)
- Musselburgh (37 miles)
- Edinburgh (37 miles)
- Alloa (40 miles)
- Stirling (44 miles)
- Livingston (44 miles)
- Falkirk (45 miles)