Revellers will be able to rock around the Aberdeen Christmas Village as the first festive themed open air silent disco tour is brought to the winter wonderland.
This year organisers Aberdeen Inspired have teamed up with charity partner Friends of ANCHOR to introduce new elements to the festivities and raise money for the charity’s ANCHORED Together appeal.
All we want for Christmas now is for the public to join in and sing and dance through the Christmas Village as the old-fashioned tradition of carol singing is brought to Aberdeen with a modern twist.
Led by a tour guide from the famous Silent Adventures, the team who brought you this year’s Edinburgh Fringe silent disco, visitors can grab a state-of-the art headset to celebrate Christmas in style. Festive tunes will then set the mood as the public dance their way around the scenic Aberdeen Christmas Village and Marischal College Quad.
Adrian Watson, chief executive of Aberdeen Inspired, said: “We are thrilled to have Friends of Anchor as our designated charity for the Aberdeen Christmas Village. This is the first time a silent disco has been introduced into the festivities and we are sure it will be hugely popular with the public.
“It will certainly be a unique way to get into the seasonal spirit in the Aberdeen Christmas Village and we can’t wait to see people taking part. With all profits from the silent disco going directly to Friends of ANCHOR as a local charity, as well as having fun your festive party will also benefit a great cause. So why not bring your family, friends or work colleagues along and enjoy the Christmas atmosphere.”
Jim Milne, chairman of Friends of ANCHOR, said: “Christmas is such a magical time of year and we’re excited to be bringing our own little dusting of extra festive fun with our silent disco adventure. With the disco tours happening every weekend, we hope lots of you will join us in singing and dancing your way around the winter wonderland of the Christmas Village as we raise funds for cancer and haematology care right here in the North-east of Scotland.
“It’s great to see the village go from strength to strength each year and we’re hugely grateful to be part of the celebrations in 2019, thanks to Aberdeen Inspired.”
Aberdeen City Council Culture spokesperson councillor Marie Boulton added: “We are delighted that Friends of Anchor are the official charity partner for the Christmas Village. The silent disco is going to add even more festive fun to the heart of the city. I welcome all ages to get behind this new fantastic charity element as the village comes to life with everyone dancing merrily to their favourite festive music.
“Collaborative working is vital to the success of events like our festive line-up, and through our Aberdeen 365 Events Programme, such partnerships demonstrate the commitment of our local and national partners in supporting our vision of development and sustainability of the city.”
Friends of ANCHOR has served oncology and haematology patients throughout the North-east of Scotland, including Orkney and Shetland, since the ANCHOR Unit opened in 1997. The charity’s running and administration costs are fully covered by Balmoral Group, meaning 100% of funds raised can be invested directly into the charity’s three core areas: medical equipment, cancer research and patient wellbeing.
Organised in partnership by Aberdeen Inspired, Aberdeen City Council and Codona’s, the Aberdeen Christmas Village will open to the public at Broad Street and Upperkirkgate on November 21 and run until December 31.
Aberdeen Inspired is the banner under which the Aberdeen BID (Business Improvement District) operates, a business-led initiative within the city centre in which levy payers within the BID zone contribute. Proceeds are used to fund projects designed to improve the business district. As a result of its on-going success, the organisation won 2017 European BID of the Year in July.
More information on the work of Aberdeen Inspired is available at: www.aberdeeninspired.com
The thirty-minute silent disco adventure tour will take place every hour, on the hour, on Fridays from 5pm to 9pm inclusive, Saturdays 2pm to 8pm inclusive and Sundays 1pm to 5pm inclusive. There is a maximum of thirty spaces available per session.
Tickets for the silent disco will be available on site at the Aberdeen Christmas Village or can be pre-booked by emailing info@friendsofanchor.org. They are priced at £10 per adult and £7.50 per child, with a discounted family rate of £25 for two adults and two children. All proceeds will go to Friends of ANCHOR.
For more information on the Aberdeen Christmas Village attractions please visit www.aberdeeninspired.com/christmasvillage
Friends of ANCHOR