Aberdeen Christmas Village Information

Thursday 16 November - Sunday 31 December, Broad Street

In partnership with Codona’s and Aberdeen Inspired, we are thrilled to bring the Aberdeen Christmas Village back to the city centre. There is something for the whole family including a spectacular outdoor ice rink, local Christmas Market, food & drinks and a wonderful festive fairground with both new and returning attractions.

Christmas Village Map 2023 347.71 KB

Festive Opening Hours

Monday- Thursday: 12pm - 10pm

Friday: 12pm - Midnight

Saturday - 10am - Midnight

Sunday - 10am - 10pm

Open 11am midweek during school holidays.

Christmas Day: CLOSED

Boxing Day: CLOSED

Open Air Ice Rink

Against the beautiful backdrop of Marischal College, skate on real ice under twinkling fairy lights while your family and friends watch from the viewing area and enjoy the refreshments on offer within the Village.

Monday - Friday, 12pm - 10pm (School Holidays, open from 11am Monday - Friday)

Saturday & Sunday, 10am - 10pm

£5 per session OFF PEAK* Monday - Thursday 12pm-6pm (excluding school holidays)

£8 per session (at all other times)

Prices stated are for both an adult or child, for 20 minutes, including skate hire.

*New for this year - off peak offer available 12pm-6pm Monday - Thursday (excluding school holidays):

£5 per session (adult or child) for 20minutes, including skate hire.

Please note that there is no pre-booking required for the ice skating.

Codona's, in partnership with WeToo! will be hosting a Relaxed Skating Session on Wednesday 27th December from 10am-11am. Relaxed sessions are predominantly for disabled participants to access a sensory adapted, reduced capacity event to enjoy as a family together. For further information email: sales@codonas.com.

Festive Fairground Rides

New for this year is our fantastic Ferris Wheel! For our younger visitors, festive favourites such as the Helter Skelter and Candy Cane Bungee Trampolines return along with the fantastic new Ice Fun House.

Monday - Thursday, 12pm - 10pm, Friday, 12pm - 11pm (School Holidays, open from 11am Monday - Friday)

Saturday, 10am - Midnight, Sunday, 10am - 10pm

*children’s rides close at 7pm daily.

The fairground rides available are:

Ferris Wheel (£4 per person)
Ice Fun House (£3 or £5 for one adult and one child)
Bungy Trampolines (£5 per person)
Balloon Ride (£3 per person)
Children's Carousel (£3 per person)
Helter Skelter (£3 per person or £5 for one adult and one child)
Fast and Furious (£4 per person)
Cars (£3 per person)

Village Square

Food and Drinks: Monday - Thursday, 12pm - 10pm Friday, 12pm - Midnight (School Holidays, open from 11am Monday - Friday)

Saturday, 10am - Midnight, Sunday, 10am - 10pm

This year we have the new ‘Village Square’ which will be located at the heart of Aberdeen Christmas Village which draws on inspiration from European Christmas markets. Enjoy the outdoor area with covered seating, where families & friends can come together to spend quality time and celebrate the festive period.

The Village Square provides a comfortable relaxed environment to enjoy a selection of street food which includes German Bratwursts from the Swing Grill, mulled wine and festive cocktails curated by Ten Dollar Shake and local craft beer from Fierce.

New for this year's Village Square - enjoy some tasty treats from local food legends Big Manny's Pizza, Hot Chip and Cookie Cult. As well as sweet seasonal favourites from the Sweet Haus which includes Dutch pancakes, churros and the welcome return of the indulgent Bailey's hot chocolate!

Curated in the Quad

Friday 11am-7pm, Saturday 11am-7pm and Sunday 11am-6pm. (Extended hours on Sunday 19th November: 11am - 8pm)

Our popular open-air Christmas Market returns to Marischal College Quadrangle from Friday to Sunday in the lead up to Christmas. Curated by Charlie House the event will showcase a unique line up each week of locally produced crafts, arts and gifts, along with gourmet food and drink.

Our charity partner for 2023 is Charlie House.

Aberdeen Christmas Village is brought to you by Aberdeen City Council, Codona’s and Aberdeen Inspired.

Dogs will be permitted into Curated in the Quad and must remain on a lead at all times. Owners should consider whether their dog is comfortable in busy and potentially loud environments before taking their dog along to the Christmas Village or Curated in the Quad. Any mess must be cleared by the owner.

Road Closures and Waiting Restrictions

from 18:00 on 3 November 2023, until 22:00 on 7 January 2024, there will be a temporary prohibition of driving on Broad Street, Aberdeen, between its junctions with Gallowgate and Queen Street. 

From 09:00 on 10 November 2023, until 22:00 on 7 January 2024, Upperkirkgate, Aberdeen, is to close between its junctions with Gallowgate and Flourmill Lane and also Gallowgate Aberdeen, between its junctions with Little John Street and Upperkirkgate. An alternative route is available via Castle Street, King Street, West North Street, Mounthooly Roundabout and Gallowgate. 

Access to Flourmill Lane will be from Schoolhill and Upperkirkgate. (see below map for details)

Public Access Map for Christmas Village Road Closures58.3 KB

Waiting restriction changes

1.           This order may be cited as “The Aberdeen City Council (Winter Festival, City Centre Area, Aberdeen) (Temporary Traffic Management) Order 2023” and shall operate from 18:00 on 3 November 2023, until 22:00 on 7 January 2024.

2.           From 18:00 on 03 November 2023, until 22:00 on 7 January 2024, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on either side of Broad Street, Aberdeen, between its junctions with Union Street and Queen Street. 

3.           From 18:00 on 3 November 2023, until 22:00 on 7 January 2024, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on the south side of Littlejohn Street, Aberdeen, between its junctions with Gallowgate and West North Street with the exception of Blue Badge holders and the Co-Wheels Car Club. 

4.           From 18:00 on 3 November 2023, until 22:00 on 7 January 2024, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on the north side of Queen Street, Aberdeen, from a point 18 metres northeast of its junction with Broad Street, north eastwards for a distance of 40 metres or thereby, will be 2 Blue Badge holders bays and a loading bay as designated by the street markings. 

5.           From 18:00 on 3 November 2023, until 22:00 on 7 January 2024, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on the north side of Queen Street, Aberdeen, from a point 60 meters or thereby northeast of its junction with Broad Street, north eastwards for a distance of 20 meters or thereby, with the exception of Blue Badge holders, Co-Wheels Car Club and Taxis

8.           From 18:00 on 10 November 2023, until 22:00 on 7 January 2024, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose, on the south side of John Street, Aberdeen, between its junctions with George Street and Loch Street and on the north side between its junctions with Jopp's Lane and Loch Street. 

9.           From 16:00 on 03 November 2023, until 22:00 on 21 December 2023, no person shall cause or permit vehicle to wait for any purpose within both the motorcycle and Pay and Display bays on the west side of Charlotte Street, Aberdeen, between the hours of 08:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday, with the exception of school buses. 

13.         From 18:00 on 10 November 2023, until 22:00 on 7 January 2024, no person shall cause or permit any vehicle to wait for any purpose on either side of roads as contained within Schedule One below:

Schedule One  

Blackfriars Street, Aberdeen – for its whole length

St. Andrew Street, Aberdeen – between Blackfriars Street and Charlotte Street

Upperkirkgate, Aberdeen – for its whole length

Carnegie’s Brae– for its whole length

Netherkirkgate– for its whole length

Schoolhill, Aberdeen - The whole length including the inset section of Schoolhill (except on the south side from a point 20 metres or thereby east of its junction with Belmont Street, eastwards for a distance of 32 metres or thereby and from a point 10 metres or thereby east of its junction with Back Wynd, eastwards for a distance of 30 metres or thereby for loading or unloading).

Skene Street, Aberdeen - Between Rosemount Viaduct and Woolmanhill Roundabout, except from a point 30 metres or thereby, northeast of its junction with Spa Street, northwards for a distance of 60 metres or thereby, between the hours of 13:00 and 16:00, Monday to Friday, for the purpose of loading or unloading of buses.

Disabled Parking Provision

Disabled parking provision in the area will be located on Queen Street and Littlejohn Street.