“Last updated: 20 August 2026”
Aberdeen Christmas Market returns in 2026 as part of the wider Aberdeen Christmas Village, bringing festive stalls, an outdoor ice rink, fairground rides, food and drink to the city centre around Broad Street and Marischal Square. The Christmas Village is officially confirmed to run from Thursday 12 November 2026 until Sunday 3 January 2027, while the specialist Curated In The Square market will focus on locally produced gifts, crafts, food and drink in the weeks before Christmas.
This guide covers the confirmed 2026 dates, location, market layout, ice skating, family attractions, parking, public transport, accessibility and nearby places worth combining with your visit.
Some operational details, including 2026 daily opening hours and individual ride and skating prices, were still awaiting publication when this guide was fact-checked on 20 August 2026. Always check the official Christmas in Aberdeen information shortly before travelling.
Aberdeen Christmas Market 2026: quick overview
What visitors commonly call the Aberdeen Christmas Market is actually made up of two closely connected attractions.
The Aberdeen Christmas Village occupies the Broad Street area in front of the imposing granite façade of Marischal College. It is the entertainment-focused part of the event, traditionally combining an open-air ice rink, fairground rides, children’s attractions and festive food and drink.
A short distance away within Marischal Square, Curated In The Square is the shopping-focused Christmas market. For 2026, organisers are planning 27 wooden chalets occupied by independent makers, artists, food producers and other traders from Aberdeen and north-east Scotland.
This distinction is useful when planning a visit. If your main reason for coming is Christmas shopping, make sure you visit on a day when Curated In The Square is operating rather than assuming all market stalls run every day.
Aberdeen Christmas Market key facts
Location: Broad Street, Upperkirkgate and Marischal Square, Aberdeen city centre
Main postcode: AB10 1BL is used for Marischal Square; Marischal College itself is at Broad Street, Aberdeen AB10 1AB.
Aberdeen Christmas Village dates: Thursday 12 November 2026 to Sunday 3 January 2027
Closed: Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day
Curated In The Square dates: Friday 13 November to Wednesday 23 December 2026
Curated market pattern: Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 13 November to 20 December, followed by Monday 21 to Wednesday 23 December.
2026 opening hours: Exact daily hours had not yet been officially published when checked on 20 August 2026.
Admission: No general 2026 admission charge has been announced. Historically, access to the Christmas Village and festive market has been free, with individual rides, skating, food and purchases charged separately. Check the official site before relying on this for 2026.
Recommended visit duration: Around 1½–3 hours for the Village and market; longer if you book skating, eat in the city centre or combine your visit with nearby attractions.
Nearest railway station: Aberdeen
Walking time from station: Approximately 10 minutes to the Marischal College/Broad Street area.
Parking: City-centre multi-storeys and council car parks, including Marischal College at specified times, Frederick Street, Denburn and West North Street.
Accessibility: The event has previously provided accessible facilities, sensory support and relaxed skating sessions. The exact 2026 programme should be checked once published.
Booking: Usually unnecessary simply to enter the Christmas Village or market. Attractions such as skating may have separate ticket arrangements.
General enquiries/lost property: Previous official Christmas information directs Christmas Village enquiries to Codona’s at sales@codonas.com.
Official visitor information: Aberdeen Inspired’s Christmas in Aberdeen section and Aberdeen City Council.
Hotels Near Aberdeen Christmas Market 2026
Aberdeen Christmas Market 2026 dates
The 2026 Christmas season represents a notable change from the previous year’s programme.
Aberdeen Inspired has confirmed that Aberdeen Christmas Village opens on Thursday 12 November 2026 and continues until Sunday 3 January 2027. It will operate daily apart from 25 December, 26 December and 1 January.
That makes the Village particularly useful for visitors staying in Aberdeen between Christmas and New Year, as well as people visiting before Christmas.
Curated In The Square 2026 dates
The dedicated shopping market has a shorter season.
For 2026, Curated In The Square opens Friday 13 November and runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays until Sunday 20 December. It then opens for a final three days on Monday 21, Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 December.
That final pre-Christmas run should be particularly useful for last-minute gift shopping.
What’s new for Aberdeen Christmas Market in 2026?
One of the most useful things to know is that Curated In The Square remains at Marischal Square for 2026.
The market moved there in 2025 because of ongoing work around Marischal College’s Mitchell Tower. Aberdeen City Council’s evaluation confirms that the arrangement is continuing in 2026.
The 2026 market is expected to have 27 chalets, with organisers seeking a mix of food, drink, arts, crafts, clothing, homeware and jewellery businesses from north-east Scotland. Stallholder line-ups are therefore likely to change during the season rather than remaining identical every weekend.
Aberdeen City Council has formally approved continued planning and delivery of the 2026 Christmas Village, while the existing operating contract remains in place for this year’s event.
What to expect at Aberdeen Christmas Market
The setting is one of Aberdeen Christmas Village’s defining features.
Broad Street opens directly in front of Marischal College, whose large granite frontage provides a dramatic backdrop after dark. The Christmas attractions occupy the pedestrianised civic area rather than a closed event field, so the Village feels integrated into the surrounding city centre.
Visitors can move between three distinct parts of a festive trip without travelling far:
Broad Street: rides, food, entertainment and the main Christmas Village atmosphere.
Marischal Square: Curated In The Square and its independent traders.
Wider city centre: Union Street, Upperkirkgate, shops, restaurants and nearby cultural attractions.
The arrangement makes it easy to visit casually for an hour, but it also works as the starting point for a longer afternoon or evening in Aberdeen.
Main things to see and do
Shop at Curated In The Square
For visitors specifically searching for Aberdeen Christmas Market, this is arguably the most important section of the event.
Curated In The Square focuses on independent producers rather than being simply another fairground area.
Organisers are seeking stallholders selling:
- arts and crafts
- jewellery
- clothing
- homeware
- locally produced food
- drinks
- gifts
The line-up can vary between weekends, which gives repeat visitors a reason to return. Twenty-seven chalets are planned for 2026.
The market is organised by Charlie House in partnership with Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council and Codona’s. Stallholder fees support Charlie House, adding a charitable element to Christmas shopping at the event.
Skate on the outdoor ice rink
The open-air ice rink has become one of the principal attractions of Aberdeen Christmas Village.
Organisers have confirmed that the ice rink will return in 2026, together with fairground rides and festive food and drink.
The positioning in the Broad Street/Marischal College area makes skating particularly atmospheric after dark when the surrounding buildings and festive attractions are illuminated.
At the time this guide was checked, 2026 skating session times, prices and booking arrangements had not yet been released.
If skating is central to your visit, wait for the official ticket information rather than relying on prices from 2025 or earlier.
Fairground rides
The Christmas Village combines traditional festive attractions with larger amusement rides.
The 2025 programme included an ice rink, Helter Skelter, Twister, bungy trampolines and children’s carousel.
Organisers have confirmed that rides suitable for different ages will return for 2026, but the final attraction list has not yet been announced.
For families, this means it is worth checking the current ride list before promising children a specific attraction.
Festive food and drink
Food forms a substantial part of the Village rather than being restricted to the artisan market.
The 2025 Village Food Plaza included Aberdeen businesses such as Big Manny’s Pizza, Tucan and We Love Crumble, while other seasonal refreshments were available around the event.
The 2026 trader list is not yet final, although organisers have confirmed that festive food and drink will return.
Because Broad Street is right in the city centre, visitors also have a much wider choice of cafés, pubs and restaurants within a few minutes’ walk.
Is Aberdeen Christmas Market good for families?
Yes. The Christmas Village is deliberately designed as a family-friendly city-centre event.
Young children
The combination of Christmas lights, smaller rides, a carousel-style experience and festive food generally gives younger children plenty to see without requiring a full-day visit.
A visit of around 60–90 minutes may be enough for very young children unless skating or a meal is included.
Older children and teenagers
The ice rink and larger fairground rides are likely to be the bigger attractions for older children and teenagers.
Allow additional time if you intend to skate because the session itself, skate collection and changing footwear will extend the visit.
Pushchairs
Broad Street and Marischal Square are urban public spaces rather than rough grass or temporary festival fields, which is helpful for pushchairs.
Crowds can nevertheless make manoeuvring slower during Friday evenings, weekends and the final shopping weekends before Christmas.
Who is Aberdeen Christmas Market best suited to?
Families
Families are one of the main audiences, particularly because rides and skating sit alongside the shopping market.
Couples
The combination of an evening market, skating, seasonal food and nearby city-centre restaurants makes it easy to turn the market into a longer evening out.
Older visitors
Visitors less interested in rides can concentrate on Curated In The Square, the food area and nearby shops.
Daytime visits are likely to feel more comfortable than peak Friday or Saturday evenings if avoiding crowds is important.
Solo visitors
The compact, central layout works well for solo visitors because there is no requirement to commit to an organised experience or ticketed session.
Disabled visitors and people with additional support needs
The Christmas Village has developed a number of inclusive measures over recent years.
Previous provision has included a sensory space, sensory backpacks containing items such as ear defenders and fidget toys, accessibility information and relaxed skating sessions with reduced noise and flashing lights.
These are significant features, but visitors should check which measures have been confirmed specifically for the 2026 season before travelling.
How long should you spend at Aberdeen Christmas Market?
For most people, around two hours is a reasonable starting point.
Allow approximately:
60–90 minutes: quick walk around the Village and festive market.
2–3 hours: browsing stalls, having food and trying one or two attractions.
3–4 hours: market, ice-skating session, rides and food.
Half a day: Christmas Village plus Aberdeen Art Gallery, Union Terrace Gardens, shopping or another city-centre attraction.
The compact location means you do not need to devote an entire day to the Christmas market alone.
Aberdeen Christmas Market tickets, prices and booking
This is an area where it is important not to confuse general admission with individual attractions.
Does Aberdeen Christmas Market have an entrance fee?
The Christmas Village has traditionally been an open city-centre event rather than a gated attraction requiring a general admission ticket, and previous Curated markets have been advertised as free to attend.
Individual attractions such as:
- ice skating
- children’s rides
- larger fairground rides
- games
may have their own charges.
Food, drinks and goods from market stalls are of course purchased separately.
Should you book Aberdeen Christmas Market in advance?
You should not normally need to reserve a place simply to walk through the Christmas Village or browse Curated In The Square.
Ice skating is different. Where advance skating tickets are offered, booking a session is sensible for busy weekend and school-holiday dates.
Do not rely on old ticket prices. Check current 2026 information once released.
Aberdeen Christmas Market opening times
The event dates are confirmed, but detailed 2026 daily opening hours had not yet been released as of 20 August 2026.
Confirmed information is:
Aberdeen Christmas Village: 12 November 2026–3 January 2027
Closed: 25 December, 26 December and 1 January
Curated In The Square: 13 November–23 December on the scheduled market days.
Previous years have used longer evening opening hours for the Village and daytime/early evening hours for the artisan market, but those schedules should not be treated as confirmed 2026 hours.
Weather can also affect outdoor attractions. VisitAberdeenshire previously advised visitors that market opening arrangements may alter according to weather conditions.
How to get to Aberdeen Christmas Market
One of the market’s biggest practical advantages is its central location.
By train
The nearest station is Aberdeen railway station, beside Union Square.
The walk from Aberdeen Station to Marischal College is approximately 10 minutes, covering roughly 2,940 feet according to route data.
From the station, walk through or around Union Square towards Union Street, then continue through the city centre towards Broad Street and Marischal College.
This is likely to be the simplest option for visitors arriving from places such as Stonehaven, Inverurie, Dundee, Edinburgh or Glasgow.
By bus
Broad Street and Upperkirkgate are well served by city buses.
For example, First Aberdeen’s current 2026 timetable for services 11 and 11A includes Broad Street as a city-centre stop, while service 19 serves nearby Upperkirkgate.
First Bus advises passengers to check its journey planner or app for live information and updated timetables. Christmas services can change around 24–26 December, so check shortly before travelling.
Walking
If you are already staying in central Aberdeen, walking is generally the easiest option.
The Village sits immediately off the main shopping area and can be combined comfortably with Union Street, Bon Accord, Union Square and the city’s cultural attractions.
By taxi
Taxi ranks operate around the central area, and Marischal Square is only a short distance from Aberdeen railway and bus stations.
Late evenings in December can be busy, particularly on Friday and Saturday nights, so allow extra waiting time.
Cycling
The central location makes cycling possible, but visitors should plan where they will securely leave their bike before entering the busier pedestrian sections of the Christmas Village.
Winter weather is another consideration: Aberdeen can be cold, wet and windy during the market season.
Parking for Aberdeen Christmas Market
Driving into central Aberdeen is possible, but understanding the parking options beforehand will make the visit easier.
Marischal College multi-storey
The Marischal College multi-storey car park is especially close to the Christmas Village.
Aberdeen City Council’s charges from April 2026 list access during specified public periods including Thursday 6pm–8pm, Saturday 8am–6pm and Sunday 8am–5pm.
The published 2026 charges for those periods are:
- up to 2 hours: £4.00
- 2–3 hours: £5.80
- 3–4 hours: £7.60
Always confirm opening arrangements before relying on this car park for an evening event.
Frederick Street
Frederick Street is another useful council parking option within the city centre.
Aberdeen City Council lists both short- and long-stay sections, so pay attention to the signs where you park.
Denburn car park
Denburn is useful if you are combining the Christmas Market with Union Terrace Gardens, the theatre or Aberdeen Art Gallery.
The council’s 2026 long-stay tariff starts from £1.70 for up to one hour and £3.50 for up to two hours, rising according to stay length.
West North Street
West North Street is another council long-stay option and may be convenient when approaching the city from the north.
Union Square parking
Union Square provides large city-centre car parks and can work particularly well if you also plan to shop or eat there.
It involves a walk through the centre to Broad Street rather than delivering you directly beside the Village.
Parking tip
Do not automatically aim for the parking space physically closest to Broad Street on a December Saturday afternoon.
A slightly longer walk from a larger car park can be easier than circulating around the immediate Christmas Village area looking for a space.
Central traffic restrictions and temporary Christmas-event arrangements may also change normal driving routes.
Accessibility at Aberdeen Christmas Village
Accessibility has become an increasingly visible part of the Aberdeen event.
Official evaluation documents from previous Christmas Villages describe:
- relaxed ice-skating sessions
- periods without music or flashing lights
- reduced participant numbers for calmer skating sessions
- a sensory space away from the busiest part of the Village
- sensory backpacks
- ear defenders
- fidget toys
- sunglasses
- a visual visitor guide
- information on ride accessibility
- information on ice-rink accessibility
- accessible toilet locations.
This is useful background for anyone planning a visit with sensory or additional support requirements.
However, the exact 2026 accessibility programme has not yet been published, so contact the organisers beforehand if a particular facility is essential.
Broad Street and Marischal Square themselves are city-centre public spaces, but temporary attractions, barriers and crowds may affect normal movement routes.
Visitors with limited mobility may find an earlier weekday visit easier than a busy weekend evening.
Food and drink
You do not need to leave the Christmas Village immediately when you become hungry.
Previous editions have featured a dedicated Village Food Plaza, while Curated In The Square includes specialist food and drink traders.
In 2025, confirmed Village businesses included Big Manny’s Pizza, Tucan and We Love Crumble.
The 2026 food line-up had not yet been confirmed when this guide was checked.
One advantage of the Broad Street location is that restaurants, cafés and bars are also spread throughout the surrounding city centre, so visitors who want a sit-down meal have plenty of alternatives.
For a weekend visit, consider reserving a restaurant separately if you want to eat at a particular time.
Toilets and visitor facilities
Temporary event facilities are normally provided as part of the Christmas Village, and previous accessibility guides have specifically identified accessible toilets.
The city-centre location also means additional facilities are available in nearby shopping and leisure areas.
At the time of writing, organisers had not published a complete 2026 facilities list covering toilets, baby changing, payment methods, lockers or cloakrooms.
There is no reason to expect conventional visitor-attraction lockers throughout an open-air Christmas Village, so travel light if possible.
For lost property and general Christmas Village enquiries, official information has previously directed visitors to sales@codonas.com.
Visiting Aberdeen Christmas Market with children
The market is easy to build around children’s energy levels because there is no need to follow a fixed route.
A useful approach is to browse the market first, choose one or two rides, stop for food and then skate if you have a booked session.
For smaller children:
- visit earlier in the day if they dislike large crowds
- bring waterproof clothing
- expect cold conditions while adults browse stalls
- check ride height or age restrictions before queuing
- use the toilet before joining longer attraction queues
- allow more time if using a pushchair through weekend crowds
Families with sensory needs should watch for announcements about relaxed skating and quieter sessions.
Best time to visit Aberdeen Christmas Market
The best time depends on whether your priority is atmosphere, shopping or avoiding crowds.
For quieter browsing
Try a Friday afternoon when Curated In The Square is open but before the main after-work and evening crowds arrive.
For Christmas lights and atmosphere
Arrive around late afternoon and stay after darkness falls.
Aberdeen’s short winter days mean you do not need to stay particularly late to see the illuminated Village.
For families with younger children
Earlier weekend sessions or weekday afternoons are generally more manageable than Friday and Saturday evenings.
For gift shopping
Visit during one of the Curated In The Square weekends rather than assuming artisan stalls operate throughout the Christmas Village’s entire season.
For last-minute shopping
The final Curated market run is scheduled for 21–23 December 2026.
Weather
Aberdeen’s December weather can be cold, wet and windy.
Much of the experience is outdoors, so waterproof footwear and a proper winter coat can make substantially more difference to your enjoyment than trying to pick a completely rain-free day several weeks in advance.
Nearby attractions to combine with Aberdeen Christmas Market
The central setting makes it particularly easy to combine the market with other Aberdeen attractions.
Aberdeen Art Gallery
Aberdeen Art Gallery on Schoolhill is only a short walk away and makes an excellent indoor addition to a cold-weather itinerary.
It is particularly useful if you arrive before the Christmas Village becomes livelier later in the afternoon.
Union Terrace Gardens
The restored Union Terrace Gardens are another easy city-centre addition.
The council lists the gardens at Union Terrace, Aberdeen AB10 1NN.
Aberdeen Maritime Museum
Head towards Shiprow for Aberdeen Maritime Museum and the historic harbour quarter.
It works particularly well for visitors arriving by train because it lies broadly between the railway station and the Christmas Village area.
Provost Skene’s House
Provost Skene’s House is effectively beside Marischal Square, making it one of the simplest cultural attractions to combine with the Christmas market.
Union Street
Aberdeen’s principal city-centre street provides shops, cafés and restaurants and is only minutes from Broad Street.
Practical local tips for visiting Aberdeen Christmas Market
Check you’re visiting on a Curated market day. The Christmas Village runs much longer than the dedicated artisan market.
Do not rely on an old ice-skating price. Prices and session arrangements can change annually.
Use the train for a day trip where practical. Aberdeen Station is about a 10-minute walk from Marischal College.
Allow more time on December weekends. Parking, restaurants, skating sessions and popular rides will naturally be under greater pressure.
Dress for the North Sea climate. Much of the event is exposed to winter weather.
Visit after dark at least once if possible. The granite backdrop and festive lighting give the Broad Street setting a very different appearance compared with daytime.
Check weather-related updates before leaving home. Outdoor events and opening arrangements can be affected by poor weather.
Combine the market with the city rather than treating it as an isolated attraction. Aberdeen Art Gallery, Union Street, Provost Skene’s House and the Maritime Museum are all close enough to create a fuller day out.
Frequently asked questions
When is Aberdeen Christmas Market 2026?
Aberdeen Christmas Village runs from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, closing on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Curated In The Square runs on selected dates from 13 November to 23 December 2026.
Where is Aberdeen Christmas Market?
The main Christmas Village is on Broad Street in Aberdeen city centre, in front of Marischal College. Curated In The Square is held immediately nearby at Marischal Square.
Is Aberdeen Christmas Market free?
No 2026 general admission charge had been announced when checked on 20 August. Previous editions have been free to enter, with visitors paying separately for rides, ice skating, food and purchases.
What are Aberdeen Christmas Market’s opening times?
Detailed daily opening hours for the 2026 Christmas Village had not yet been officially published as of 20 August 2026. Check Aberdeen Inspired or Aberdeen City Council before travelling.
Does Aberdeen Christmas Market have ice skating?
Yes. Organisers have confirmed that the outdoor ice rink returns for 2026. Ticket prices and session times were still to be announced when this guide was fact-checked.
Does Aberdeen Christmas Market have rides?
Yes. Aberdeen Christmas Village combines the festive market with fairground attractions, and organisers have confirmed that rides for different ages will return in 2026.
How far is Aberdeen Christmas Market from the train station?
Aberdeen Station is approximately a 10-minute walk from the Marischal College area.
Where should I park for Aberdeen Christmas Market?
Options include Marischal College multi-storey during its public opening periods, Frederick Street, Denburn, West North Street and larger commercial city-centre car parks. Check current opening times and tariffs before travelling.
Is Aberdeen Christmas Market suitable for children?
Yes. The event is promoted as family friendly and normally includes children’s rides, larger attractions, ice skating and festive food.
Is Aberdeen Christmas Market accessible?
The event has previously provided accessible toilets, sensory support, accessibility information and relaxed ice-skating sessions. Check the specific 2026 arrangements if you require a particular facility.
Are dogs allowed at Aberdeen Christmas Market?
Curated In The Square permitted dogs on leads in 2025, with owners advised to consider whether their dog would be comfortable in a busy and potentially noisy environment. The 2026 dog policy should be confirmed before travelling.
When does the artisan Christmas market finish?
Curated In The Square is scheduled to finish on Wednesday 23 December 2026, while the wider Christmas Village continues into January.
Final verdict
Aberdeen Christmas Market works best if you think of it as two connected experiences rather than one conventional line of stalls.
Broad Street provides the livelier Christmas Village atmosphere, with the ice rink, rides and food set against Marischal College, while Curated In The Square provides the stronger shopping element with independent makers and producers.
Its city-centre location is a major practical advantage. Aberdeen railway station, shops, restaurants, galleries and other attractions are all within walking distance, making the market easy to include in either a short evening visit or a full day in Aberdeen.
The key planning point for 2026 is to choose your date carefully. The Christmas Village runs until 3 January 2027, but Curated In The Square finishes on 23 December 2026 and does not operate every weekday beforehand.
