Plans for the Aberdeen Christmas Village 2023 have been unveiled – with more traders to be packed into the Marischal Quad.
But whether the market will expand into Union Terrace Gardens is yet to be revealed.
Stretching out to the city centre gardens was touted by council chiefs in March, as they reviewed the success of last year’s Aberdeen Christmas village.
This will be the first festive season since UTG reopened on December 22 2022 after a £30 million revamp.
However, no proposals have yet emerged to make use of the space with an initial planning application lodged only for Broad Street.
What’s planned for Aberdeen Christmas village 2023?
The most noticeable change in the lineup of attractions expected at the 2023 Aberdeen Christmas village is the absence of the Freak Out fair ride.
A bright, spinning flash of squeals in the winter’s night, it hurled brave revellers above Broad Street.
Squeamish onlookers grimaced as the cars swung ever closer to Marischal College.
But this year, a Ferris wheel will take its place.
The usual list of family-friendly attractions, such as candy cane bungee trampolines, the Frozen palace, children’s carousel, helter skelter and the ice rink, will remain.
And for the fairground art fans among us, so too will the Fast and Furious attraction.
Operator Codona’s also promised the usual spread of ‘festive’ food and drink, including German bratwursts, locally-sourced venison burgers and pork sausages, haggis bon bons, Dutch pancakes, doughnuts, Belgian fries, waffles and churros.
Stalls in Broad Street would also sell mulled wine, beer, Baileys hot chocolate and other hot drinks.
Take a look at plans for this year’s Christmas village in Broad Street
When will the Aberdeen Christmas village open?
Work to create the Aberdeen Christmas Village is planned to start in Broad Street on Friday November 3.
Round the corner in Upperkirkgate, building work would commence seven days later.
The winter wonderland is expected to open on Thursday November 16, trading through until Hogmanay.
Planning documents state it will close early on Christmas Eve and reopen on December 27.
Meanwhile, the Curated in the Quad market would run over five weekends from Friday November 17.
It would have 30 stalls, offering local gourmet food and drink produce, arts and crafts.
A different line-up of traders is promised each weekend until it closes.
Codona’s estimates it would take up to a week to pack it all up, beginning on January 1.
Residents will have to behave a little longer to stay on Santa’s nice list in the hope of the Aberdeen Christmas Village spreading down into Union Terrace Gardens.
