Plans for the return of Aberdeen’s Christmas Village have been approved.
Freshly endorsed documents lodged with the council detail how the winter wonderland will be spread out across Broad Street and the Upperkirkgate once again.
Staples like the ice rink, funfair rides and food stalls will all be back in their usual spots.
But the blueprints reveal that, despite public feedback in favour of the move, Christmas won’t be coming back to Union Terrace Gardens this year.
Here’s what will be happening…
When will it start?
The Christmas Village will burst into life on Thursday, November 17.
After being closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day, the market will reopen for a few final visits before closing on Hogmanay.
When can I visit?
The Aberdeen Christmas Village will be open from noon to 11pm from Monday to Thursday.
It will stay open from noon to midnight on Friday, 10am – midnight on Saturday and 10am – 11pm on Sunday.
It will open an hour earlier during the week when the schools close, from 11am.
How will Curated in the Quad work?
Local traders will run 24 stalls in the Marischal College Quadrangle, selling a mix of arts and crafts and food and drink.
The line-up will change each weekend.
Have a virtual wander about the village with our map:
Will my favourite food stalls be back?
The plans say that plentiful “quality festive produce” will be on offer.
These will include bratwurst sausages, venison burgers, mulled wine, hot chocolate, Dutch pancakes, waffles and doughnuts.
Our food and drink team tried some treats last year:
Will the same rides be back?
Good news for those of us who have missed the sight of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson scowling at Starbucks.
Christmas just wasn’t Christmas without walking past this traditional Yuletide Fast and Furious ride every day last year pic.twitter.com/JpvmIC27N7
— Ben Hendry (@BenHendry1) November 16, 2021
The Fast and Furious ride will be back at the corner of the Gallowgate and Upperkirkgate.
Meanwhile, the candy cane bungee trampolines will be further down the street, the picturesque helter-skelter will be back and so will the nerve-jangling Freak Out attraction.
Where should I park?
The best options are at the Bon Accord Centre, Chapel Street, the Denburn, Frederick Street or West North Street.
Are you looking forward to the Christmas village coming back? Let us know in our comments section
Why did people want UTG to be involved?
In a visitor survey, some provided interesting answers on how the Aberdeen Christmas Village could be made better in 2022.
One respondent said: “Could it move to the Union Terrace Gardens when they open – a wonderful location in the making?”
The event was first staged along Union Terrace, so the move would represent something of a spiritual homecoming.
This idea was picked up by Conservative councillor Michael Kusznir at a council committee discussion, and he was told it would be “considered”.
Perhaps it will be ready for next December…
You can see the plans here, and follow the progress of the Union Terrace Gardens project here:
UTG latest: Little progress on securing tenants for two remaining Union Terrace Gardens pavilions
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