It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas as Aberdeen council chiefs prepare their festive celebrations for the season.
Wooden carvings, a Christmas tree maze and scores of gift stalls will all feature this year alongside more usual Christmas tree lighting and switching on of the Christmas street lights.
And the traditional Christian meaning of the season will also be remembered with the Nativity crib once again returning to St. Nicholas Kirk yard.
Local chainsaw wood carver Garry Shand has been commissioned to create 12 wooden sculptures inspired by the popular carol The Twelve Days of Christmas.
The wooden figures will be revealed on a phased basis starting from today and into December with a teaser campaign launched to encourage people to find the 12 sculptures across the city centre during the festive period.
Union Terrace Garden will also be host to a Christmas tree maze while Union Terrace will once again host the popular Christmas Village market. These will both open on Friday.
Numerous rides and an outdoor ice-rink will be available.
On Thursday the Christmas tree, which has come all the way from the Norwegian city of Stavanger, will be switched on at 7pm at the Castlegate.
The Lord Provost of Aberdeen George Adam will be joined by the Deputy Mayor of Stavanger Bjorg Tysdal Moe for a carol service for everyone to enjoy.
Council leader Jenny Laing said: “It will definitely look like Christmas has arrived when the festivities get under way on Thursday. I have seen chainsaw wood carver Garry Shand’s work before so I’m really looking forward to seeing the Twelve Days of Christmas Wooden Sculpture Trail.
“And, with the Christmas Village due to open on Friday Aberdeen’s Winter Festival will be off to a cracking start with events, activities and things to see continuing right through into the New Year.”
Deputy council leader Marie Boulton said: “It’s very exciting that we have two new attractions for this year’s Winter Festival. I’m sure they will be extremely popular. I can’t wait to experience Aberdeen’s Christmas Tree Maze.”
Liberal Democrat Jennifer Stewart said she had concerns over the price of some of the attractions and the number of local suppliers invited.