Browse Curated in the Square
Local makers trade on selected weekends and the final three weekdays before Christmas; check the separate schedule.
Browse Curated in the Square — charliehouse.org.uk
Aberdeen / Christmas 2026
Aberdeen Christmas Village 2026
Broad Street lights and Marischal Square shopping make separate stops.
12 November 2026–3 January 2027 · Free Village entry; rides, skating, food and purchases cost extra.
See the 2026 dates
At a glance
- 2026 dates
- 12 November 2026–3 January 2027
- Opening hours
- Village daily hours to follow; closed 25–26 December and 1 January. Curated has separate selected days and hours.
- Entry
- Free Village entry; rides, skating, food and purchases cost extra.
- Rail / nearest useful station
- Aberdeen
- Best time to go
- Daylight first, then return for the lights (our planning suggestion)
- Setting
- Broad Street, Upperkirkgate and Marischal Square
Parking: See parking and park-and-ride
Our verdict
Go if…
You want Christmas Village activities and Curated in the Square.
Skip if…
You want one timetable to cover the whole programme.
Best day to go
Choose a Curated in the Square session first, then add the Christmas Village around it.
Our top tip
Save both timetables: Curated in the Square and the Christmas Village run separate schedules.
The market
Aberdeen pairs its Christmas Village with a separate local-makers market, giving a visit two different rhythms. Broad Street is the place for seasonal attractions and food, with Marischal College making a striking backdrop. Across at Marischal Square, Curated in the Square brings together local artists, producers and independent businesses. Choose a date when both are trading if gifts are the main reason for your trip: the Village’s longer season and Curated’s selected days are different, so a weekday visit does not always include the maker cabins.
The Village is confirmed from 12 November 2026 to 3 January 2027, with closures on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Day. Admission is free; rides, skating and other activities have their own charges. The organiser has announced an ice rink and rides, but detailed Village opening hours and booking arrangements should be checked before setting off. Curated trades on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 13 November to 20 December, then on 21–23 December. Its published hours are noon–7 pm on Fridays, 11 am–7 pm Saturdays and 11 am–6 pm Sundays, with noon–7 pm on the final three weekdays.
Make the first circuit about looking rather than rushing. Compare the stalls, leave room for something fragile in your bag, and ask each producer about the story behind their work. Charlie House receives all Curated stallholder fees, supporting children and families in north-east Scotland. The food cards below recall four businesses officially listed at the 2025 Village; check the current menus rather than assuming their return. Plan a warm break and your journey home before you settle into another round of browsing.
More about the market ↗ · More about the market ↗ · More about the market ↗ · More about the market ↗
Skate beneath the granite skyline
The 2026 organiser announcement includes an ice rink; check session times, prices and access before booking.
Skate beneath the granite skyline — aberdeeninspired.com
Make a night of Broad Street
Plan a final circuit of the Village as the evening closes in, checking today’s opening hours before you arrive.
Make a night of Broad Street — aberdeeninspired.comEat and drink
2025 favourites — check the 2026 line-up.
Big Manny’s Pizza
Pizza
The organiser listed Big Manny’s Pizza among the 2025 Village food businesses.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗Tucan
Tucan’s street food
Tucan was officially listed in the 2025 Village Food Plaza. Ask about this season’s dishes and allergens before ordering.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗Hot Chip
Chips
Hot Chip appeared in the official 2025 Village listing.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗We Love Crumble
Warm crumble
The organiser named We Love Crumble in its 2025 food selection. Check the current stall list and available toppings for your visit.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗Kilted Fudge
Fudge
Named in Charlie House’s published Weekend 5 line-up for Curated in the Square, 12–14 December 2025.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗Pilgrims Gin
Gin
Named in Charlie House’s published Weekend 5 line-up for Curated in the Square, 12–14 December 2025.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗Wee Scottish Cider
Cider
Named in Charlie House’s published Weekend 5 line-up for Curated in the Square, 12–14 December 2025.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗Cookie Cult
Cookies
Named in Charlie House’s published Weekend 5 line-up for Curated in the Square, 12–14 December 2025.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗Last year’s favourites
2025 favourites — check the 2026 line-up.
- Buttons & Bows
Named in Charlie House’s official Weekend 5 trader line-up for Curated in the Square, 12–14 December 2025.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗ - Sandra Muir
Named in Charlie House’s official Weekend 5 trader line-up for Curated in the Square, 12–14 December 2025.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗ - Sara Harper
Named in Charlie House’s official Weekend 5 trader line-up for Curated in the Square, 12–14 December 2025.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗ - Catherine Redgate
Named in Charlie House’s official Weekend 5 trader line-up for Curated in the Square, 12–14 December 2025.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗ - Arctis Design
Named in Charlie House’s official Weekend 5 trader line-up for Curated in the Square, 12–14 December 2025.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗ - 13–23
Named in Charlie House’s official Weekend 5 trader line-up for Curated in the Square, 12–14 December 2025.
2025 favourite2025 market listing ↗
Where we’d stay
Broad Street and Marischal Square
Stay close to both the Village and Curated’s gift cabins; check noise and room location directly.
Guild Street and Shiprow
Useful for rail arrivals and an easy luggage drop before heading into the city centre.
Our pick
Residence Inn by Marriott Aberdeen
An all-suite Guestrow base with in-room kitchens, useful for a longer city stay. Check the exact room and access features when booking.
4-minute mapped walk to Broad Street Christmas Village · Hotel information
Check prices
Splurge
Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel & Spa
A city-centre hotel with spa facilities and a range of room types. Check spa admission and accessible-room details separately.
8-minute mapped walk to Broad Street Christmas Village · Hotel information
Check pricesAlso good
Aberdeen Douglas Hotel
An independent Market Street hotel with Molly’s Bistro and Malones bar, handy for combining the market with the Shiprow area.
8-minute mapped walk to Broad Street Christmas Village · Hotel information
Check prices
Best value
ibis Aberdeen Centre – Quayside
A Shiprow base with an on-site bar and restaurant. Compare the total for your dates and ask about room access before booking.
8-minute mapped walk to Broad Street Christmas Village · Hotel information
Check prices
Also good
The Station Hotel
A Guild Street base opposite the railway station, with its own brasserie. A practical option when an easy luggage arrival matters.
11-minute mapped walk to Broad Street Christmas Village · Hotel information
Check pricesWe may earn a commission if you book through our links, at no extra cost to you. Affiliate disclosure.
Book early for weekends. The walking times are measured routes to Broad Street Christmas Village; give yourself a little longer for a relaxed stroll through the market.
Map
Find the market streets, arrival points, parking and places to stay. The map loads as you approach this section; mouse-wheel scrolling stays with the page.
Map waiting to load. The places list below works without it.
MMarket streetsTRail & coachPParking & park and rideHPlaces to stayWCAccessible toilets
Choose Explore the map to pan and pinch to zoom; choose Finish exploring or press Escape to return to page scrolling. Pins show places, not the precise position of individual stalls.
All map places, as a list
- Broad Street Christmas Village — Broad Street beside Marischal College; use organiser entrance information.
- Aberdeen railway station — Aberdeen railway station
- Residence Inn by Marriott Aberdeen — Residence Inn by Marriott Aberdeen
- Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel & Spa — Sandman Signature Aberdeen Hotel & Spa
- Aberdeen Douglas Hotel — Aberdeen Douglas Hotel
- ibis Aberdeen Centre – Quayside — ibis Aberdeen Centre – Quayside
- The Station Hotel — The Station Hotel
- Aberdeen bus and coach station — Union Square bus and coach station; check your operator’s current stand and return departure.
- Denburn car park — City-centre multi-storey car park; check current charges and operating hours.
- Union Square multi-storey car park — Shopping-centre multi-storey parking; check current opening, charges and vehicle restrictions.
- Kingswells park-and-ride — Park-and-ride stop west of Aberdeen. Confirm the current bus service and return timetable.
- Aberdeen Art Gallery accessible and Changing Places toilets — The council lists accessible and Changing Places toilets at the gallery. Check the gallery’s opening hours and equipment arrangements.
- Provost Skene’s House accessible toilet — The council lists an accessible toilet at Provost Skene’s House. Check building hours and entrance arrangements; this is not a temporary market toilet.
Coordinates: OpenStreetMap contributors. Organiser toilet and access information. Temporary toilet locations use the named street/site as a navigation point; ask staff for the exact unit.
A perfect day
- First circuit
Start on Broad Street
Get your bearings around the Village and check the day’s attraction times.
- Gift time
Browse Marischal Square
On a Curated trading day, slow down at the local makers’ cabins.
- Lunch
Look at the current menus
Choose after checking this season’s food stalls, dietary information and prices.
- Afternoon
Keep a warm break in reserve
Leave a little breathing space between shopping and any booked skating session.
- Before leaving
A final look at the lights
Recheck your return journey and collect gifts before the stalls close.
On Instagram
These organiser, charity and trader posts show the 2025 season. Use the 2026 dates and opening information above for this year’s visit.
A little festive inspiration from organisers, makers and visitors. Tap any tile to load all 6 Instagram posts on this page. Instagram may receive your IP address and set cookies; read the privacy note. Until then, nothing loads from Instagram.
Aberdeen Christmas Village
Open this post on Instagram ↗@aberdeenchristmasvillage
The organiser’s closing round-up of the 2025 Christmas Village.
Big Manny’s Pizza
Open this post on Instagram ↗@bigmannyspizza
An archived 2025 festive-pizza preview from a Christmas Village food trader.
Aberdeen Christmas Village
Open this post on Instagram ↗@aberdeenchristmasvillage
Lights and after-dark atmosphere from the final days of the 2025 village.
Aberdeen Christmas Village
Open this post on Instagram ↗@aberdeenchristmasvillage
The organiser’s 2025 festive day-out inspiration, with rides, skating and food.
Aberdeen Inspired
Open this post on Instagram ↗@abdninspired
An archived 2025 preview of the final Curated in the Square shopping weekend.
Charlie House
Open this post on Instagram ↗@charliehousehq
The charity’s published 2025 Weekend 5 maker line-up for Curated in the Square.
Instagram is off until you choose to load it.
Practical information
Getting there and back
Arrive at Aberdeen railway station on Guild Street, beside Union Square and the bus station, then plan your onward route to Broad Street. Check National Rail and your operator for your actual dates, engineering work and the last useful return service. If driving, use the council’s current city-centre parking information and check Low Emission Zone rules for your vehicle; market attractions and gift cabins are in the centre rather than at the beach.
Parking and park-and-ride
Choose Frederick Street or Gallowgate for a central arrival, or use Kingswells park and ride and continue into Aberdeen by bus.
Park-and-ride
- Nestrans lists Bridge of Don, Kingswells, Ellon, Craibstone and Newtonhill as regional park-and-ride sites. Current Getabout information lists Kingswells services into Aberdeen; choose a running service before using another site. Official park-and-ride source · checked 24 October 2026.
City-centre car parks
- Frederick Street Official city-centre car parks source · checked 24 October 2026.
- Gallowgate Official city-centre car parks source · checked 24 October 2026.
- Marischal College Official city-centre car parks source · checked 24 October 2026.
- Q-Park Trinity Centre Official city-centre car parks source · checked 24 October 2026.
Pre-booking
- Q-Park publishes online pre-booking for Trinity Centre. No equivalent reservation facility was stated on the examined council car-park pages. Official pre-booking source · checked 24 October 2026.
Blue Badge parking
- Aberdeen council says Blue Badge holders can use Frederick Street free, with the badge holder present and travelling in the vehicle. For other car parks use the council’s Blue Badge map and the specific car-park instructions. Official blue badge parking source · checked 24 October 2026.
Christmas services and changes
- No specific 2026 Christmas park-and-ride extension or council parking promotion was stated. The council’s £1-after-5pm article found was dated November 2025 and is not reused as a 2026 offer. Official christmas services and changes source · checked 24 October 2026.
On the day
Begin in daylight, browse before choosing lunch, and leave time for a warm indoor break. Check today’s opening hours and your return journey before making a final circuit of the lights.
Before and after
Stay the night if you can, leaving time to explore the city as well as the stalls. Ask your accommodation about luggage storage and check individual attractions’ opening times before planning a visit.
Accessibility
Start with the exact part of the event you want to visit. The Christmas Village is on Broad Street and surrounding streets; Curated in the Square uses Marischal Square. These are neighbouring city-centre locations with different trading days. Ask Aberdeen Inspired or Charlie House about the 2026 entrance layout, cabins and any temporary route changes before travelling if you need a particular width, surface or step-free approach.
Getting there
Aberdeen station is a National Rail Category A station, with step-free access to all platforms, lifts and accessible toilets. Passenger assistance is available; arrange help with your operator and check live lift information before the journey. Step-free station access does not mean every train boarding gap or onward street is suitable for every wheelchair. National Rail highlights larger stepping distances towards the rear of some platforms, so explain your requirements when booking assistance.
The bus and rail arrival area is around Union Square and Guild Street. Use a street-level route towards Broad Street, allowing time for crossings and winter conditions. The walking map is a planning aid, not an audited accessible route. If slopes, kerbs or distances would make the walk difficult, discuss an accessible taxi or suitable bus with the operator in advance, including space for your mobility equipment.
Toilets and breaks
Use the council’s venue and public-space access guidance and Changing Places finder to identify a suitable toilet before leaving home. Confirm opening hours, key arrangements and whether a hoist and adult changing bench are required. A general accessible toilet is different from a Changing Places facility. No market-specific 2026 toilet plan was published in the visitor information checked, so ask the organiser for the nearest operational facility and the route from the cabins.
Time your visit
Try a daylight first circuit and keep an indoor break in reserve. That is a planning suggestion rather than an advertised quiet session. Attractions, music and weekend shopping can add noise and queues; ask whether a quieter period or relaxed skating session is available for your particular date. Recheck the weather and the event’s daily updates, especially if a closure would leave you with a difficult return journey.
Ask before you travel
Contact Aberdeen Inspired at info@aberdeeninspired.com for the Village’s current visitor arrangements, and Charlie House for Curated-specific questions. Describe the help you need: an assistance-dog policy, seating, a toilet, a ramp, a quieter entry point or space alongside a cabin. Confirm accessible hotel-room features directly with the property rather than relying on a general facilities badge.
Sources: National Rail station access; Aberdeen council access guidance; Charlie House market information.
Frequently asked questions
Questions before you go
When is Aberdeen Christmas market in 2026?
12 November 2026–3 January 2027
What are the opening hours?
Village daily hours to follow; closed 25–26 December and 1 January. Curated has separate selected days and hours.
Do I need an entry ticket?
Free Village entry; rides, skating, food and purchases cost extra.
Can I bring my dog?
Check the organiser’s current pet-dog rules before travelling. Assistance-dog arrangements are separate; use the accessibility guide for the published information.
What access information should I check?
Start with the exact part of the event you want to visit. The Christmas Village is on Broad Street and surrounding streets; Curated in the Square uses Marischal Square. These are neighbouring city-centre locations with different trading days. Ask Aberdeen Inspired or Charlie House about the 2026 entrance layout, cabins and any temporary route changes before travelling if you need a particular width, surface or step-free approach. Getting there Aberdeen station is a National Rail Category A station, with step-free access to all platforms, lifts and accessible toilets. Passenger assistance is available; arrange help with your operator and check live lift information before the journey. Step-free station access does not mean every train boarding gap or onward street is suitable for every wheelchair. National Rail highlights larger stepping distances towards the rear of some platforms, so explain your requirements when booking assistance. The bus and rail arrival area is around Union Square and Guild Street. Use a street-level route towards Broad Street, allowing time for crossings and winter conditions. The walking map is a planning aid, not an audited accessible route. If slopes, kerbs or distances would make the walk difficult, discuss an accessible taxi or suitable bus with the operator in advance, including space for your mobility equipment. Toilets and breaks Use the council’s venue and public-space access guidance and Changing Places finder to identify a suitable toilet before leaving home. Confirm opening hours, key arrangements and whether a hoist and adult changing bench are required. A general accessible toilet is different from a Changing Places facility. No market-specific 2026 toilet plan was published in the visitor information checked, so ask the organiser for the nearest operational facility and the route from the cabins. Time your visit Try a daylight first circuit and keep an indoor break in reserve. That is a planning suggestion rather than an advertised quiet session. Attractions, music and weekend shopping can add noise and queues; ask whether a quieter period or relaxed skating session is available for your particular date. Recheck the weather and the event’s daily updates, especially if a closure would leave you with a difficult return journey. Ask before you travel Contact Aberdeen Inspired at info@aberdeeninspired.com for the Village’s current visitor arrangements, and Charlie House for Curated-specific questions. Describe the help you need: an assistance-dog policy, seating, a toilet, a ramp, a quieter entry point or space alongside a cabin. Confirm accessible hotel-room features directly with the property rather than relying on a general facilities badge. Sources: National Rail station access ; Aberdeen council access guidance ; Charlie House market information .
Official links
More market trips
14 Nov–3 Jan
Edinburgh
Princes Street Gardens, festive rides and a capital-city break.
2026 season · see dates
19 Nov–23 Dec
Newcastle
NE1’s Christmas markets spread around Grey’s Monument and the neighbouring streets, with a separate Christmas Village at Old Eldon Square.
2026 season · see dates
4 Dec–6 Dec
Durham
A three-day city festival linking the Craft & Producers’ Marquee on Palace Green with the outdoor market and independent businesses below.
2026 season · see dates
How it compares: see our top 15 UK Christmas markets.