Dundee’s ‘Christmas Light Switch On’ event was a sparkling success
At the weekend (November 17) Dundee kicked off its official countdown to Christmas through its annual ‘Light Switch On’ event in the city centre.
Hundreds of festive Dundee residents gathered together from 9am on Saturday amidst twinkling lights, choir singing, mulled wine, dressed up magical characters, ceilidh dancing, and so much more, to celebrate this highly anticipated, warm and fuzzy time of year.
A group of little ones pose with one of the many magical characters who roamed the City Square on Saturday. Equipped with unicorn balloons, of course. (Photo: DCT Media).
What made the day and night so special for all involved was the sheer volume of festivities available to enjoy. This was not solely about the beloved city lights shining at last (although that provided a lot of excitement, that’s for sure).
The event was more like a winter wonderland for the community, with street theatre acts, food and drink stalls supplied locally, a torchlit procession, fun fare rides, the opportunity to meet Santa Claus (priorities), and so much more.
Quite the crowd! Plenty of residents and visitors line up outside the Caird Hall for the torchlit procession. Some carrying torches, some carrying lanterns, some carrying beautifully festive decorations. (Photo: DCT Media).
The event’s torchlit procession, led by a brilliant set of drummers and bass, travelled excitedly through Reform Street to the City Square, before the Christmas lights were finally switched on for another year. And who better to fulfil the honourable task of the switch on than the great Santa Claus himself?
A delighted little one meets Santa Claus on Reform Street. Santa had the important task of switching on the lights this year. (Photo: DCT Media).
It seemed like every area of Dundee city centre on Saturday was buzzing with some form of fantastic entertainment for children and adults alike. As well as a stage and live music outside of Caird Hall, there was also a silent disco, where people happily got lost in their own little worlds of Christmas classics and shameless dance moves (no judgement).
A short film of the day/evening’s many wonderful festivities^
In true Scottish style, the event ended on an absolute high with an outdoor ceilidh, and a staggering number of people joined in on the celebration.
Event-goers ceilidh dancing in front of Dundee’s lit Christmas tree. (Photo: DCT Media).
If Christmas lights throughout the high street weren’t quite enough to make the city transform into winter wonderland overnight, the celebration also saw DC Thomson’s stunning Headquarters in Meadowside lit up with images from its famously published comics, including the Bash Street Kids, Dennis the Menace and Mini the Minx.
The DCT Headquarters looking beautifully lit up with images from the many comic strips it’s so famous for.
Design your Dundee Christmas
Really stuck for Christmas plans? ‘Design Your Dundee Christmas’ is new a programme put together by city developers intended to show off Dundee’s many cultural landmarks during the festive season. The programme will help residents and visitors to design their own Christmas festivities by picking events that they want to attend. There will be a massive selection of things to do and see in Dundee up until December, so don’t forget to check out the programme whenever you fancy.
And don’t forget to check us out
Mostly importantly, remember to keep those eyes peeled on SeeDundee for plenty of info about upcoming Christmas events and activtities on the run-up to the glorious day.
And if you sadly can’t make these events, we will be here to give you a little taste of how good they were (not to make you too jealous or anything).
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