Aberdeen’s festive season transforms Broad Street into the bustling Christmas Village with artisan products, an open-air ice rink and fairground rides. This article gives you all the 2024 Aberdeen Christmas Market information, including dates, opening times and what to expect.
Aberdeen Christmas Market 2024
Set against the city’s granite architecture backdrop, Aberdeen Christmas Village lights Broad Street and Upperkirkgate with festive cheer.
Key attractions include the community-focused Quad Christmas Market, a Nativity Scene and carol concerts. Look out for the sculptures that bring the Twelve Days of Christmas to life.
Be sure to catch the lights switch-on parade, themed ‘Fire and Ice,’ and join in the Santa Fun Run on Union Street, scheduled for the 18th of November (unconfirmed).
Dates and Details
Aberdeen Christmas Market dates: 15th November to 23rd December 2024 (unconfirmed).
Location: Marischal College, Broad Street.
Opening times: Sunday to Thursday: 12pm to 8pm. Friday and Saturday: 12pm to 10pm.
Christmas Day: Closed.
Admission: Free.
Christmas lights: Switch on: 18th November 2024 at Union Street (unconfirmed).
Parade: Free. Starts at Albyn Place to Castlegate.
Fairground rides: Helter Skelter, the Blizzard and more.
Nativity Scene: 3rd December 2024 to 4th January 2025 (unconfirmed).
Santa: Yes, at the parade.
Sculpture trail: 30th November to 24th December (unconfirmed).
Ice skating: Yes, at Marischal College. Monday to Friday: 12pm to 10pm (School holidays: 11am to 10pm). Saturday and Sunday: 10am to 10pm.
Vegetarian: Yes, plenty of options.
Vegan: Yes, plenty of options.
Gluten-free: Yes, but limited.
Accessible: Yes.
Pet-friendly: No.
Parking: Please take public transport to help limit congestion.
Reason to visit: A community minded event with local entertainment and support for makers.
Recommended tour: History and culture walking tour.
Specialities: Aberdeen rowies, tablet sweets, Cullen skink, Aberdeenshire honey, cranachan and traditional Dundee cake.
Where to stay: BrewDog Kennels is located around the corner from Marischal College.
Where to Stay
Castlegate is a convenient area to stay in Aberdeen as it’s near shops, dining options and the Union Street parade. The Brewdog Kennels Hotel is ideally situated in this area.
In my guide, I’ve compiled a list of UK Christmas markets 2024, ensuring you have all the necessary information to plan your festive trips.
Alternatively, you might like to visit one of these other Christmas markets in Scotland.
Where to Find It
Christmas in Aberdeen
Food Specialties
Aberdeen Rowie: This unique local bread product has a rich buttery flavour. Its crisp, flaky exterior hides a soft, dense inside.
Dundee Cake: This traditional Scottish fruit cake comes from Dundee. Packed with currants, sultanas, and almonds, it’s often enjoyed with a cup of tea or as a sweet ending to a meal.
Clootie Dumpling: A clootie dumpling is a spiced pudding stuffed with dried fruits and wrapped in a cloth (“cloot” in Scots). It’s slowly simmered until firm and then dried out in an oven.
Cranachan: An interesting dessert, cranachan layers whipped cream, whisky-soaked raspberries, honey, and toasted oats.
Tablet: Scottish tablet is a kind of fudge but has a more brittle, grainy texture. Made from sugar, condensed milk, and butter, it’s a highly sweet treat.
Mince Pies: A festive favourite throughout the UK, mince pies are crumbly shortcrust pastries filled with a sweet mixture of dried fruits and spices.
Mulled Wine: As you wander the market, you’ll likely catch mulled wine’s sweet, spiced aroma. This warm drink is made by heating red wine with various mulling spices, citrus, and sugar – a perfect hand warmer as you browse the stalls.
Stollen: This German Christmas bread has made its way to Aberdeen. It’s a moist, dense loaf packed with dried fruit and often marzipan, dusted with powdered sugar.
Shortbread: An all-time favourite Scottish biscuit, shortbread is a crumbly, buttery delight.
Roast Hog on a Roll: One of the meatier delights, this involves roast hog, typically served with apple sauce and stuffing on a fresh roll.
Bratwurst: No Christmas market would be complete without this German sausage. These large, succulent sausages are typically served in a bun with mustard or ketchup, offering an international flavour amid local Scottish fare.
What to Buy
Harris Tweed: Hand-woven in the Outer Hebrides, Harris Tweed is known for its distinct pattern and high-quality wool. It’s used in everything from handbags to hats and scarves. It’s a high-end Scottish souvenir or gift.
Scottish Whisky: There’s no better place than Scotland to buy Scotch, and you’ll find a range of bottles available at the market. From popular distilleries to small-batch producers, there’s a Scotch to suit every palate, whether you prefer a smoky Islay malt or a smooth Highland blend.
Thistle Crafts: The thistle is a symbol of Scotland, and you’ll see it replicated in many craft items available at the market.
Shortbread Cookies: These classic Scottish cookies are common at local bakeries and stalls, often sold in attractive tins or festive packaging. They’re a popular choice for a sweet gift or stocking filler.
Traditional Tartan: You’ll see this iconic pattern throughout the market in various forms. Tartan scarves, throws, and other items make for lovely gifts. Some vendors provide goods in clan tartans and generic Royal Stewart and Black Watch designs.
Scottish Wool: You’ll encounter cosy wool items such as tartan scarves, gloves and hats. These pieces are often knitted from the wool of local Scottish sheep.
Artisan Foods: Look for vendors selling locally-made jams, honey and chutneys. Often using regional produce, these culinary gifts can introduce recipients to the flavours of Scotland.
Turning to Visit Aberdeenshire is one idea for uncovering the most current happenings in the city, as it’s packed with insights into local events and activities while in Aberdeen.
Sustainability
Here are some practices that can help you to travel more thoughtfully in Aberdeen.
Eco-friendly accommodation: Aberdeen has several environmentally conscious hotels that use renewable energy sources. By staying in these places, you’re directly supporting their sustainability efforts. These hotels often provide guidelines on reducing energy consumption during your stay, such as reusing towels and turning off lights and heating when you leave the room.
Mindful eating at markets: One of the joys of visiting Christmas markets is the abundance of food. While it can be tempting to try everything, it’s also important to be mindful of food waste. Try sharing different dishes with your travel companions to taste more without wasting food.
Ethical consumption: Aim to buy only what you genuinely need or will use. Many stalls at the Village in Aberdeen feature local artisans, and buying from them helps support local businesses and reduces the carbon footprint associated with mass-produced goods.
Sustainable diets: Prioritise plant-based or vegetarian options at the market wherever possible. At Aberdeen’s events, you find vegetarian haggis, vegan pastries and other plant-based treats, reducing the carbon footprint associated with your meal.
Sustainable transport: Aberdeen is a compact city, and many of the key sights are within walking distance of each other. So, put on your warmest coat and explore the city on foot! You’ll not only reduce your carbon footprint but also get to see the city from a different perspective. Alternatively, Aberdeen’s public transport network is an efficient way to get around, with frequent buses and trains connecting different parts of the city.
If you want to leave a review of Aberdeen Xmas Market, comment below.
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Recommendations are independently chosen based on personal travel experiences and extensive research. This post contains affiliate links to hotels and tours in Aberdeen, Scotland. This means I get a small commission from any bookings at no extra cost to you.
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