People dressed in colourful carnival costumes showing the 12 Days of Christmas will take pride of place in Aberdeen’s annual Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade on Sunday.
From a partridge in a pear tree to 12 drummers drumming, the popular event starts from 5.30pm on Sunday and will be held on Union Street.
Community groups ranging from schools to drama students are taking part in the annual event which starts on Alford Place, heads down Union Street, and finishes on Broad Street.
The parade is a mixture of people walking and floats, and also includes a nativity float from the regional ecumenical team. Santas on scooters will be leading the parade, followed by Grampian District Pipe Band, Aberdeen Lord Provost George Adam and representatives from the Instant Neighbour Trust in a vintage open-topped car.
The festive lights strung up across Union Street will be lit up as the Parade goes down the road, with lights also lit up at the Music Hall and Jamieson & Carry.
Aberdeen Lord Provost George Adam said: “The annual parade is a great way for families and friends to start their Christmas celebrations during what is a busy retail weekend – it would be a great way to end a day of shopping.
“I’m delighted that I’ll be accompanied on the parade by representatives from Instant Neighbour as this year, the charity is celebrating an amazing 25 years of organising Christmas gifts for local children through its Giving Tree appeal.
“I’m looking forward to seeing the city centre sparkle when the Christmas lights are switched on. It’s a really popular event that brings a real festive feel to Aberdeen.”
The Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade is one of 11 events being held as part of the city’s Winter Festival which is the biggest-ever event of its kind the city has had - more major events were asked for by residents and businesses during the consultations for the Masterplan.
There will be various parking restrictions and road closures associated with the Christmas Lights Switch-On Parade and the Trinity Centre Reindeer Parade, which is also happening on Sunday from 12pm.
Between 6pm on Saturday (November 28) and 6.30pm on Sunday (November 29), there will be a ban on parking on Albyn Place between Albyn Grove and Alford Place, except for vehicles associated with the Santa Parade and the Aberdeen City Council Christmas Lights Switch On Event.
On Sunday, between 11.30am and 1pm and again from 5pm to 6.30pm, the ban on right turns from King Street onto West North Street will be temporarily suspended, as will the ban on right turns from Union Street onto Bridge Street and the right turns from Holburn Street onto Willowbank Road.
Also on Sunday, Albyn Place will be closed between its junctions with Alford Place and Albyn Grove, from 4pm until 6.30pm. From 4.30pm until 5pm, Union Street, will be closed between Union Terrace and Broad Street. From 5pm until 6.30pm, the full length of the Union Street, Castle Street and King Street corridor will be closed between Holburn Street and East North Street. King Street, between East North Street and Castle Street, the full length of Castle Street, and Union Street, will be closed from 11:30am and 1pm, as will Market Street between Union Street and Guild Street and St. Catherine’s Wynd, from its junction with Netherkirkgate and Union Street. A number of alternative routes will be available.