Rally is researching the season
Christmas with kids in Dundee
Dundee went five years without a Christmas tree in City Square, until residents asked for one in a budget consultation. It came back in 2025 as a real 40ft tree.
Christmas events for 2026 are coming in late November
We’re checking this season’s Christmas events in Dundee with every host. Subscribe and we’ll email you the day they go live.
Free. We’ll email you the day they go live, then once a week with new events in Dundee. Unsubscribe at any time.
Already confirmed in Dundee
So far we’ve confirmed 1 of this season’s events, and more are on the way.
The Snow Queen
When: Sat 28 November to Wed 30 December
Where: Dundee Rep Theatre, Dundee
Cost: £15 to £40, with 50 seats at £15 per show when booked early
The story of Christmas in Dundee
A 40ft tree returns to City Square after five years away
Dundee went without a Christmas tree in City Square for five years. In March 2025 the council announced it would come back, after residents asked for a traditional Christmas celebration in the budget consultation. By October 2025 the plan had grown into a real 40ft tree, a switch-on of the city centre lights and a fourth Dundee Hooley, a St Andrew's Day torchlit procession with live music, street performers and lantern crafting. The procession was led by the Lord Provost from the High School of Dundee playground, setting off at 5.30pm, and ended at Meadowside.
Santa Dash runners and a 12-metre arch on 16 November
The 2025 Dundee Christmas Switch-On took place on Sunday 16 November, from 10am to 7pm across the city centre. The morning began with the Santa Dash 4K fun run at 10.30am, raising money for Cash for Kids, with hundreds of runners in Santa suits. Through the day there were roaming performers, street food, a market, walking Living Lamp Posts and acrobats under a 12-metre arch. Tay FM's Gregor and Lynsey hosted the stage. At 6pm Santa appeared in City Square and the tree lights came on, with snow machines and sparkler cannons.
A ship called Discovery and a grotto on the quay
Not every Santa in Dundee lives in a shop. In 2025 the grotto at Discovery Point ran from 6 to 22 December and every child received a gift. Discovery Point is the home of the RRS Discovery on Discovery Quay. A quieter option, a Santa grotto at Dobbies for children with additional support needs, ran on 5 December 2025 from 2.30pm to 7.30pm and had to be pre-booked. Christmas in the Square ran from 4 to 31 December that year, and the Iced Gems skating show took place at Dundee Ice Arena on 20 December at midday. Dundee Rep stages The Snow Queen from 28 November to 30 December 2026.
Traditions today
- The City Square tree: A real 40ft tree returned to City Square in 2025, after a five-year gap.
- The switch-on day: A day of street performers, music and a Santa Dash, ending with the lights at 6pm. The 2026 date is not confirmed yet.
- The Dundee Hooley: A St Andrew's Day torchlit procession led by the Lord Provost, with music, lanterns and food stalls.
- Grottos on the quay: Santa's Grotto at Discovery Point, on Discovery Quay beside the RRS Discovery, with a gift for each child in 2025.
- A family show at the Rep: Dundee Rep stages The Snow Queen, from 28 November to 30 December 2026.
- Caird Hall concerts: Choirs and Christmas concerts at Caird Hall through December.
A fact for kids
Hundreds of people dress as Santa and run 4 kilometres through Dundee on switch-on day, before the tree lights come on at 6pm.
Questions about Christmas in Dundee
When is the Dundee Christmas switch-on this year?
The 2026 date for the Dundee Christmas switch-on has not been announced yet. The 2025 switch-on was on Sunday 16 November, from 10am to 7pm, with the tree lights going on at 6pm. Check the council's Dundee Christmas pages for this year's date before you plan.
What time do the lights go on at the Dundee switch-on?
At the 2025 switch-on the tree lights went on at 6pm, near the end of a day that ran from 10am to 7pm. That 6pm moment came with a special appearance from Santa in City Square, snow machines and sparkler cannons. The 2026 times are not confirmed yet.
How long does Christmas in City Square run?
Christmas in City Square is listed from 27 November to 30 December, but the 2026 dates are not confirmed yet. Expect a giant Christmas tree, market stalls, an alpine bar, the UNESCO City of Design Christmas Glade, fair rides and free entertainment.
When does The Snow Queen play at Dundee Rep?
The Snow Queen plays at Dundee Rep from 28 November to 30 December 2026, as Visit Dundee's 2026 Rep season article confirms. Visit Dundee describes it as a Christmas show with music, magic and wintery adventure for Dundee families. The theatre is on Tay Square, and times are on the Dundee Rep page.
What age is The Snow Queen at Dundee Rep suitable for?
Dundee Rep gives The Snow Queen an age guide of 5 and over. Its page also warns of flashing lights, loud and sudden noises, and smoke and haze, so parents of sensitive children may want to read the full notice before booking.
How much are tickets for The Snow Queen in Dundee?
Tickets for The Snow Queen cost from £15 to £40. Dundee Rep offers 50 seats at £15 for every show when you book early. The box office number on its page is 01382 223530, and the email is boxoffice@dundeerep.co.uk.
What was the Santa's Grotto at Discovery Point in Dundee like in 2025?
In 2025 the Santa's Grotto at Discovery Point, on Discovery Quay beside the RRS Discovery, ran from 6 to 22 December and every child received a gift. RRS Discovery also has grotto tickets, so check its dates and prices before planning.
When did Dundee's Christmas tree come back to City Square?
The council announced in March 2025 that the tree would return to City Square after a five-year absence, following feedback from its budget consultation, where residents asked for a traditional Christmas celebration. A real 40ft tree was then described for the 2025 season.
What happened at the Dundee switch-on in 2025?
On Sunday 16 November 2025 the city centre had roaming performers, street food, a market, Living Lamp Posts, acrobats under a 12-metre arch and live music from local groups. The lights went on at 6pm, with Santa in City Square, snow machines and sparkler cannons.
What is the Santa Dash in Dundee?
The Santa Dash is a 4K fun run held on switch-on day. In 2025 it started at 10.30am and raised funds for Cash for Kids, with hundreds of runners in Santa outfits. It ran before the afternoon entertainment and the 6pm lights.
What is the Dundee Hooley?
The Dundee Hooley is a St Andrew's Day celebration in the city centre. In 2025 it was in its fourth year, with a torchlit procession, live music, street performers, lantern crafting and food stalls. The procession was led by the Lord Provost and left the High School of Dundee playground at 5.30pm.
Where does the Dundee Hooley torchlit procession start?
In 2025 the procession was led by the Lord Provost from the High School of Dundee playground at 5.30pm, finishing at Meadowside, where the live acts played. The Hooley was held on 30 November, around St Andrew's Day, and included lantern crafting for families.
Who counts down the lights at the Dundee switch-on?
For the 2025 switch-on the countdown and stage hosting were by Tay FM's Gregor and Lynsey. Acts on the stage included The McAndrews Sisters, Downfield Musical Society, Thomson-Leng Musical Society, Dundee Rep Theatre and Rock the Halls, with Strawberry Bank playing in the evening.
Besides the switch-on, what can kids do at Christmas in Dundee?
Children can see The Snow Queen at Dundee Rep, which has a confirmed 2026 date range, and visit the market, tree and fair rides at Christmas in City Square, whose 2026 dates are not confirmed yet.
Where can families go for Christmas with kids in Dundee?
Families usually head for City Square for the tree, stalls and fair rides, though its 2026 dates are not confirmed yet. Others pick Dundee Rep's The Snow Queen, from 28 November to 30 December 2026, and in 2025 the Discovery Point grotto on Discovery Quay was a favourite.
Where can I spend Christmas Day itself in Dundee with children?
No family event has been announced for 25 December in Dundee. The Snow Queen at Dundee Rep runs to 30 December 2026, so the days after Christmas are better covered for families. Check each venue's own page for opening hours on the 25th before you go.
Is there a quiet Santa visit for children with additional support needs in Dundee?
In 2025 Dobbies Garden Centre ran a quiet Santa grotto on 5 December, from 2.30pm to 7.30pm, designed for children with additional support needs, and pre-booking was required. Its 2026 date is still to come, so contact the garden centre directly.
Is there an ice show or skating at Christmas in Dundee?
In 2025 the Iced Gems Christmas ice show was at Dundee Ice Arena on Saturday 20 December at 12pm, with local skaters and Christmas routines. The council's Christmas page also describes a 20m by 10m real ice rink in City Square. The 2026 dates are not confirmed yet.
What Christmas concerts are on at Caird Hall in Dundee?
Dundee council's calendar lists The Courier and Evening Telegraph Christmas Concert at Caird Hall on 2 December at 6.30pm, a candlelight Christmas concert on 9 December and Step into Christmas on 20 December. Confirm tickets and suitability for young children first.
Is it free to enter the Dundee Christmas village?
In November 2024, village entry was free with no tickets, while the Santa experience and ice rink were charged. Prices can change, so check the organiser before you go.
Sources
- dundee.com: Dundee Christmas Switch-On, Dundee City Council
- Dundee Christmas switch-on 2025, Visit Dundee
- Dundee's Christmas tree is set to return to the City Square after five years, Dundee Culture
- Real 40ft Christmas tree to return to City Square, Dundee Culture
- Your ultimate guide to Christmas 2025 in Dundee, Dundee Culture
- The Snow Queen, Dundee Rep Theatre
- What's coming up at Dundee Rep in 2026, Visit Dundee
- Christmas in Dundee, Dundee City Council
- Santa's Grotto Tickets RRS Discovery, Dundee City Council What's On
- What's On: Future Christmas Events, Leisure and Culture Dundee