Christmas in Dundee 2026

Dundee is set to sparkle this Christmas, with an exciting line-up of festive entertainment, family fun and dazzling displays promising to bring the city to life throughout the festive season.

Following its successful return last year, Dundee’s Christmas Switch-On returns on November 15, bringing festive cheer to the city with a spectacular real Christmas tree and the exciting addition of a family friendly drone show for 2026.

This will be followed by the 5th Dundee Hooley on November 29, with a fiery, dragon-themed spectacle set to heat up the crowds this winter as the city celebrates St Andrew’s Day, inspired by the local folklore of the Legend of the Dundee Dragon.

City Square will then be transformed into a festive wonderland as Christmas in the Square runs from November 27 to December 30. Run by Hornes Pleasure Fairs, the event will bring a Christmas market, funfair rides and seasonal cheer to the heart of Dundee.

The events line-up includes: 

•    Santa Dash (November 15, 10am) – A 4K race around the city centre, with participants dressed in Santa outfits. A warm-up session led by Active Dundee coaches will take place before the run.

•    Christmas Switch-On (November 15, 10am-7pm) – City Square will be filled with festive fun throughout the day, with funfair rides, activities and street performers, including the return of the Grinch, The Show Globe, Acrobatic Elves, The Candy Cane Fairy and Nutcracker Prince stiltwalkers and more.

The Giant Snowglobe will wow crowds with spectacular acrobatic performances, while a Snow Globe Photobooth will provide the perfect backdrop for festive photos. Street traders, market stalls and a Christmas craft tent will add to the seasonal atmosphere, offering plenty for visitors of all ages to enjoy.

Live music, hosted by Tay FM’s Gregor and Lynsey, will take centre stage during the second half of the day, with performances from Downfield Musical Society, Thomson-Leng Musical Society, Dundee Rep Theatre, Rock the Halls and more, building excitement ahead of the big switch-on moment.

Up-and-coming Scottish boy band Just the Brave will headline the celebrations, while a spectacular family-friendly drone display by FlightShows will light up the sky, adding an exciting new highlight to Dundee’s Christmas Switch-On celebrations.

•    Dundee Hooley (November 29, 3-7:30pm) – Taking place at Meadowside, the fifth Dundee Hooley will return with a dragon theme. The main stage will feature performances from Ceol Dun Deagh, Dundee Gaelic Choir, Gleadhraich, Tayside Young Fiddlers, Cask Strength Ceilidh Band will lead traditional Scottish dancing to close the event.

The community stage will showcase Highland dancers, fire performers, local dance troupes, choirs and groups, filling Dundee’s evening with colour and song. Funfair rides, food and drink will also be available.

Street entertainment will include PyroCeltica and its fire-breathing dragon, Brimstone the Dragon, Skeleton Crew, a Dragon and Fairy walkabout, and giant Caribbean puppets by Bridgeman Arts.

The torchlit parade will take place at 5.30pm, starting and finishing at the High School of Dundee playground, with street theatre bringing the Legend of the Dundee Dragon to life as the finale to the parade. Details about taking part in the parade and lantern-making workshops will be shared soon.

•    Christmas in the Square (November 27-December 30) - Run by Hornes Pleasure Fairs, with Christmas market, festive food & drink and Family unfair. Open 11am-8pm Monday to Thursday, and Friday to Sunday, 10am-9pm

•    UNESCO City of Design Christmas Trees (from November 11) – Three new Christmas tree designs, created by artists Infinite Sky, Louise Kirby and Lauren Herd, will be on display alongside designs from previous years, next to Dundee’s living Christmas tree and the Dundee sign at the City Churches. With sustainability in mind, each design uses reused or recycled materials, incorporating multiples of a particular object or material.

Leader of Dundee City Council, Cllr Mark Flynn, said: “I’m delighted to see the Christmas Switch-On return this year following its successful comeback last year. With a real Christmas tree as the focal point and the exciting addition of a drone show, this year’s celebrations promise to bring something special to Dundee.

It’s important for the city to have events for people to look forward to, bringing communities together and creating a real buzz in the city centre. I look forward to seeing Dundee come alive with festive activity as residents and visitors enjoy all that the Christmas programme has to offer.”

The Lord Provost of Dundee, Bill Campbell, will again be leading the torchlit parade during the Dundee Hooley. He said: “Christmas is a special time for warmth, joy and community spirit, bringing people together to share in the celebrations. I look forward to seeing Dundee come alive as residents and visitors enjoy the fantastic events on offer.

“The Dundee Hooley is always a highlight, celebrating Scotland’s rich traditions and welcoming people from all backgrounds to enjoy Scottish music, culture and dance. It’s a wonderful opportunity to celebrate our city’s diversity and bring people together through a shared love of culture and celebration.”

Cllr Flynn added: “The Christmas celebrations provide a great opportunity to support Dundee’s economy, bringing more people into the city centre and shopping districts and giving local businesses a welcome boost. I hope residents will make the most of what Dundee has to offer this Christmas and support local traders wherever possible, including through initiatives such as the Dundee Gift Card, which helps keep spending within our local economy.”

Dundee’s Christmas offering also includes many different markets, community and traditional Christian faith events. Further information about Christmas in Dundee can be found on dundee.com