The Aberdeen Christmas Market is based around the Aberdeen Christmas Village on Broad Street, with an outdoor ice rink in front of Marischal College, fairground rides, street food and a weekend makers’ market in Marischal Square. The village is expected to open in mid-November 2026 and run to the end of December, as it does every year. Below you’ll find the expected 2026 dates, opening hours, last year’s ride prices, food, how to get there and where to leave your bags.
Aberdeen Christmas Market 2026: Key Facts
| Dates | Expected mid-November to late December 2026 (2025: 13 November – 31 December) |
| Village hours (2025) | Monday to Thursday 12:00–22:00; Friday 12:00–00:00; Saturday 10:00–00:00; Sunday 10:00–22:00 |
| Closed | Christmas Day and Boxing Day |
| Location | Broad Street, Aberdeen city centre, with the ice rink at Marischal College |
| Curated in the Square | Weekend makers’ market in Marischal Square (2025: Friday 12:00–19:00, Saturday 11:00–19:00, Sunday 11:00–18:00) |
| Entry | Free; rides and skating are paid |
| Nearest station | Aberdeen, about 10 minutes’ walk |
At the time of writing, Aberdeen City Council hasn’t published its 2026 Christmas Village page. One listing site gives 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, but treat that as unconfirmed until the council’s Christmas Village information page is updated.
What’s at the Christmas Village
The village is run with John Codona’s Pleasure Fairs and fills Broad Street between Marischal College and the shops of Union Street. The outdoor ice rink is the main draw, with the granite front of Marischal College behind it. Around it you’ll find a Ferris wheel, a Helter Skelter, the Twister, the Avalanche, bungee trampolines and a children’s carousel.
For shopping, Curated in the Square runs at weekends in Marischal Square with local makers, artists and food producers. It’s organised by the charity Charlie House with Aberdeen Inspired.
Ride and Skating Prices
These are the 2025 prices from the council. Expect similar figures in 2026.
| Attraction | 2025 price |
|---|---|
| Ice skating (20 minutes, skate hire included) | £5 off-peak (12:00–18:00 Monday to Thursday, outside school holidays), otherwise £8 |
| Ferris wheel, Avalanche, Twister | £4 each |
| Bungee trampolines | £6 |
| Balloon ride, children’s carousel | £3 each |
| Helter Skelter, Bavarian Fun House | £3, or £5 for one adult and one child |
Food and Drink
The village has street food, mulled wine and craft beer. In 2025 the vendors included Big Mannys Pizza, Tucan, Hot Chip and We Love Crumble. Look out for Scottish tablet at the Curated in the Square stalls if you want a sweet gift to take home.
Getting to the Aberdeen Christmas Market
| From | How |
|---|---|
| Aberdeen station | Walk up through Union Square or Bridge Street to Union Street, then along to Broad Street, about 10 minutes |
| Aberdeen bus station | Next to the train station, about 10 minutes’ walk |
| By train | Direct trains from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee and Inverness, plus some from London King’s Cross |
| Aberdeen Airport | Jet 727 bus to the city centre |
| By car | Use a city-centre car park; Blue Badge bays are on Queen Street and Littlejohn Street |
Tips for Visiting
- Skate on a weekday afternoon before 6pm, outside school holidays, for the cheaper off-peak price.
- Go on a Friday to Sunday if you want the makers’ market as well as the village.
- Relaxed skating sessions with reduced capacity run with the charity We Too!. Dates go out on social media.
- Dress for the wind. Broad Street is exposed and Aberdeen evenings in December are cold.
Luggage Storage in Aberdeen
Many people pass through Aberdeen on the way to the ferries, the Highlands or a work trip, and the Aberdeen Christmas Market is an easy stop between trains. You can’t skate with a suitcase, though. Radical Storage has luggage storage in Aberdeen city centre, a short walk from both the station and Broad Street, so you can drop your bags and enjoy the village with free hands.
You book online in a minute, with free cancellation. Every bag is protected up to €10,000, and travellers rate the service 4.8/5. Radical Storage has more than 16.5K locations in over 2.3K cities, so you can use it on the rest of your trip.
Aberdeen Christmas Market FAQ
The Aberdeen Christmas Village is expected to open in mid-November 2026 and run to the end of December. In 2025 it ran from 13 November to 31 December. Check the council website for confirmed 2026 dates.
On Broad Street in the city centre, with the ice rink in front of Marischal College. Curated in the Square is in Marischal Square next door.
In 2025 the village opened 12pm to 10pm Monday to Thursday, 12pm to midnight on Friday, 10am to midnight on Saturday and 10am to 10pm on Sunday. It closed on Christmas Day and Boxing Day.
In 2025 a 20-minute session with skate hire cost £5 off-peak and £8 at other times.
Yes. Walking around the village and the makers’ market is free. You pay for rides, skating, food and drinks.
Radical Storage has luggage storage in Aberdeen city centre, a short walk from the station and Broad Street. Book online, drop your bags and pick them up later. Each bag is protected up to €10,000.