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Aberdeen Christmas tree switch-on ceremony CANCELLED due to weather but Christmas Village to open

The events have been rescheduled for the weekend.
The events have been rescheduled for the weekend.

Aberdeen’s Christmas tree switch-on ceremony today has been cancelled due to bad weather.

The festivities, which were due to take place this evening, have been postponed – but the city’s Christmas Village will still open as planned.

People will be able to visit the village from around 12pm, with Lord Provost David Cameron cutting an official ribbon to mark the occasion at around 4.30pm.

The tree’s lights will now be switched on during the light switch-on parade down Union Street on Sunday evening, starting from 5.15pm.

Christmas lights in Aberdeen. Image: Paul Glendell / DC Thomson

Aberdeen City Council made the decision on Thursday morning to cancel the celebrations as the north-east is forecast to be in the middle of a Met Office yellow weather warning for heavy rain.

A spokeswoman from the council said: “We appreciate that people will be disappointed however we have to ensure the safety of people both attending and managing the event.”

The 35ft tree gifted by Stavanger in Norway, as is tradition, is already positioned at the Castlegate waiting for its lights to be switched on.

The ceremony, which was due to take place at 7pm, would have featured Reverand Bo Malmqvist blessing the tree and performances by Aberdeen Music service, Tutti Voice from Aberdeen Performing Arts and the Salvation Army Band.

Christmas Village opens

Codonas’s Christmas Village, spread out across the city’s Broad Street and Upperkirkgate, will still open this afternoon as planned.

Its ice rink, funfair rides, Curated in the Quad market and food stalls are ready to welcome visitors to what is a local favourite on Aberdeen’s festive calendar.

Visitors at Aberdeen Christmas village. Picture by Kami Thomson/DCT Media.
Visitors at Aberdeen Christmas Village. Image: Kami Thomson / DC Thomson

Ian Littlewood, operations director for Codona’s said: “The whole team at Codonas are really excited to be back at the Christmas Village. As well as the village ice rink we have a great selection of rides with something for every age and thrill level.”

The Christmas Village is scheduled to stay open until 10pm this evening despite the weather warning.

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