Dundee's traditional Christmas offering announced

Dundee City Council has announced its plans for the city’s 2025 festive period including the return of a Christmas tree to City Square, a Christmas lights switch-on event and the continuation of the popular Dundee Hooley

The announcement follows on from feedback received from the public through the Council’s recent Budget consultation process and the budget decision taken by the Council to provide an additional investment in city events.

Council Leader Cllr Mark Flynn said of the announcement: “We’ve listened carefully to the people of Dundee and what they would like to see most.

“Christmas is a very important time of the year for many, and it brings people together. As a city, we want to provide the best opportunities possible for people to do just that.

“Through the Budget consultation process for 2025/26 and from feedback in general, we’ve heard from a lot of people that they really value a traditional Christmas in Dundee with elements such as a tree placed in City Square.

“We want to make that happen, and bring families, friends and visitors together to celebrate during this year’s festive period and these activities will be free to attend at a time when the impacts of the cost-of-living crisis continue to be felt by all.

“By taking this approach to the festive period, it will provide taxpayers with best value for money as well as provide what so many people in the city have asked for from Christmas.

“We also recognise the success of the Dundee Hooley in its previous three years and due to its popularity, we will keep this as part of our Dundee Christmas offering for 2025.

The city’s Christmas tree will be placed in City Square for the duration of the festive season, with a lights switch-on event to take place to mark the official start of the Christmas period.

The return of the Dundee Hooley will also provide an opportunity for members of the public to come together around St. Andrew’s Day to mark the occasion.

Further details on the Christmas programme will be announced in the coming months ahead of residents and visitors being welcomed to the city centre for the festive period.