Aberdeen’s Christmas Village drew to a close last night, having attracted hundreds of thousands of visitors during the past five weeks.
Organisers hailed the event a success, saying it had also helped to boost trade for local businesses during the festive period.
The enterprise saw the heart of the city transformed into a winter wonderland with a German-style market, ice rink and funfair on Union Terrace.
There was also a Christmas tree maze in Union Terrace Gardens and a Twelve-Days of Christmas-themed wooden sculpture trail around the city centre.
Spearheaded by Aberdeen Inspired, in partnership with Aberdeen City Council and amusement firm Codona’s, it is the second time the event has been staged.
Organisers said feedback from visitors had been positive.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “It was brilliant to see the public get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy everything the village had to offer.
“We have also been pleased with the response from the businesses in the city centre, a number of which have been in touch with us to comment on the positive difference they noticed throughout the festive period in terms of increased footfall.
“It was a key aim of ours to achieve a knock-on effect for local businesses, which further emphasises the tremendous benefits of big events like this in Aberdeen.”
Julie Haig, owner of Haigs Food Hall, Schoolhill, said: “We were delighted with the footfall the Christmas Village brought to Aberdeen city centre and our business.
“It created a real buzz in the city and it was great to see so many people out and about enjoying the Christmas Village.”
Aberdeen City Council leader Councillor Jenny Laing said the village had been a “tremendous success”
She added: “By coming out and supporting these attractions in numbers, people have demonstrated they will support bright, engaging and innovative events and that provides great confidence as we seek to build on the foundations we already have in place.
“We are planning for a bigger, better and busier programme of events for 2017 than we have ever had before in Aberdeen.”