This feature was originally published in the Evening Telegraph on 19 November 2024.
With Christmas festivities already kicking off around the country, Dundee is set to join in this week with the arrival of the Christmas Village.
It’s exciting to see preparations underway in City Square as Dundee gears up to welcome the festive season in style.
Last year’s Christmas celebrations fell short of expectations after WinterFest’s organisers pulled out at the last minute, leaving the council to step in. While their efforts were appreciated by some, the result didn’t quite catch on, and I’ve been vocal about how lacklustre it was.
This year, however, promises to be a significant improvement. The new Christmas Village, organised by NL Productions, will take pride of place in City Square and is set to run for the next three years. There’s also an extra festive boost on the cards with the introduction of WestFest Christmas on the Perth Road.
Dundee has shown time and again that when something big arrives, the city turns out in force. We saw this recently when Lidl’s Freeway Cola truck parked up at Slessor Gardens, drawing hundreds of visitors throughout the day. Although it had to close early, the turnout highlighted the appetite for unique experiences in the city.
Dundee’s reputation as a winter destination is also growing. It was recently named one of the top ten UK city break destinations to visit in winter by GO Outdoors, alongside Inverness, Glasgow, and Edinburgh.
But it’s not just the Christmas Village creating excitement. There’s plenty more happening across the city, from the opening of LiveHouse Dundee next month to Mills Observatory’s winter schedule running through March. Add to that a variety of Christmas markets popping up across Dundee, giving local businesses a chance to shine, and there really is something for everyone.
Over the past few years, Dundee’s festive offerings have steadily improved—last year being the exception, of course. The challenge now is to keep building on this momentum, creating events that attract visitors while giving Dundonians plenty of reasons to stay and shop local.
With so much to see and do this Christmas, Dundee is well on its way to becoming a true winter destination. Let’s embrace the festivities and make this season one to remember.
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