Christmas in Dundee 2026: Drone show, Christmas lights switch-on, Dundee Hooley and festive market announced
Christmas is coming to Dundee, and this year’s celebrations are shaping up to be something special, with a spectacular drone show, the return of the Christmas lights switch-on, a dragon-themed Dundee Hooley and a festive market all confirmed for the city centre!
Dundee City Council has unveiled its full programme of Christmas celebrations for 2026, with events taking place throughout November and December, bringing festive entertainment, music, family activities and seasonal attractions to the heart of Dundee.
Among the biggest highlights is the return of the Christmas Lights Switch-On on Sunday 15 November, following its hugely successful comeback last year, with a real Christmas tree once again taking centre stage in City Square.
And this year, there’s an exciting new addition, with a family-friendly drone show set to light up the sky above Dundee!
The celebrations will continue with the fifth Dundee Hooley on Sunday 29 November, while Christmas in the Square will bring a festive market, fairground rides and seasonal entertainment to City Square from 27 November until 30 December.
Here’s everything announced for Christmas in Dundee 2026!
Christmas Lights Switch-On
City Square | 15 November, 10am–7pm
The Christmas Lights Switch-On is returning to Dundee on Sunday 15 November, promising a full day of entertainment for families and visitors.
City Square will be transformed into a festive celebration featuring funfair rides, street performers, market stalls, seasonal activities and live music.
Some familiar festive characters will also be making a return, including the Grinch, the Candy Cane Fairy, the Nutcracker Prince stiltwalkers, Acrobatic Elves and The Show Globe.
A Giant Snowglobe will entertain crowds with acrobatic performances, while a Snow Globe Photobooth will offer visitors the chance to capture festive memories.
There will also be street traders, market stalls and a Christmas craft tent throughout the day.
Later in the afternoon, attention will turn to the main stage, where Tay FM presenters Gregor and Lynsey will host an exciting programme of live entertainment.
Performers will include Downfield Musical Society, Thomson-Leng Musical Society, Dundee Rep Theatre and Rock the Halls, with up-and-coming Scottish boy band Just the Brave headlining the celebrations.
But one of the biggest additions this year will be a family-friendly drone show by FlightShows, bringing a spectacular new visual display to Dundee’s Christmas celebrations.
The event will build towards the official Christmas lights switch-on, with a real Christmas tree once again providing the centrepiece of City Square.
A special competition will also give one lucky winner the opportunity to press the switch-on button alongside Santa and the Lord Provost, with a Dundee Gift Card and other goodies included in the prize.
Details of the competition are expected to be announced during the week beginning 19 October.
Dundee Santa Dash
Dundee City Centre | 15 November, 10am
The festive celebrations will begin with the Dundee Santa Dash, taking place on the morning of Sunday 15 November.
Participants will dress in Santa outfits before completing a 4km route around Dundee city centre, bringing a sea of red and white to the streets.
Before the run gets underway, Active Dundee coaches will lead a warm-up session to help participants prepare for the event.
The Santa Dash will provide a lively start to the day’s Christmas celebrations ahead of the entertainment in City Square.
Christmas in the Square
City Square | 27 November–30 December
Dundee’s City Square will once again become a festive destination as Christmas in the Square returns for more than a month of seasonal celebrations.
Organised by Hornes Pleasure Fairs, the event will feature a Christmas market, festive food and drink, and family funfair rides.
Visitors will be able to enjoy the attractions throughout the festive period, providing another reason for families, shoppers and visitors to spend time in Dundee city centre.
Opening hours have been confirmed as:
Monday to Thursday: 11am–8pm
Friday to Sunday: 10am–9pm
Christmas in the Square will run from Friday 27 November until Wednesday 30 December 2026.
Dundee Hooley
Meadowside | 29 November, 3pm–7.30pm
One of Dundee’s biggest annual cultural celebrations is returning this November, and this year’s Dundee Hooley promises to be particularly spectacular!
The fifth Dundee Hooley will take place on Sunday 29 November, celebrating St Andrew’s Day with a special dragon theme inspired by the local folklore of the Legend of the Dundee Dragon.
The event will bring Scottish music, traditional dancing, street theatre, fire performances and family entertainment to Meadowside.
The main stage will feature performances from Ceol Dun Deagh, Dundee Gaelic Choir, Gleadhraich and Tayside Young Fiddlers.
Cask Strength Ceilidh Band will also lead traditional Scottish dancing to close the event, encouraging visitors to join in the celebrations.
Meanwhile, a community stage will showcase Highland dancers, local dance groups, choirs and fire performers.
But it’s the street entertainment that promises to make this year’s Hooley particularly memorable.
PyroCeltica and its fire-breathing dragon will be among the attractions, alongside Brimstone the Dragon, Skeleton Crew, a Dragon and Fairy walkabout, and giant Caribbean puppets from Bridgeman Arts.
The popular torchlit parade will also return, led by Dundee’s Lord Provost, Bill Campbell.
Taking place at 5.30pm, the parade will start and finish at the High School of Dundee playground, with a special street theatre performance bringing the Legend of the Dundee Dragon to life.
Free public lantern-making workshops are planned for November, while booking information for those wishing to participate in the parade will be announced nearer the time.
Food, drink and funfair rides will also be available during the event.
Dundee UNESCO City of Design Christmas Trees
City Churches | From 11 November
Dundee’s UNESCO City of Design Christmas Trees will also return this November, bringing another creative addition to the city’s festive celebrations.
Three new Christmas tree designs will be unveiled, created by artists Infinite Sky, Louise Kirby and Lauren Herd.
The installations will appear alongside designs from previous years, next to Dundee’s living Christmas tree and the Dundee sign at the City Churches.
Sustainability will once again play an important role in the project, with the artists using reused or recycled materials to create their designs.
Each tree will incorporate multiples of a particular object or material, showcasing how everyday items can be transformed into creative festive displays.
The installations will be on display from Wednesday 11 November.
Council hopes celebrations will bring more people into Dundee
Dundee City Council Leader Mark Flynn welcomed the return of the Christmas Switch-On and the addition of the drone display.
He said:
“I’m delighted to see the Christmas Switch-On return this year following its successful comeback last year. With a real Christmas tree as the focal point and the exciting addition of a drone show, this year’s celebrations promise to bring something special to Dundee.”
Councillor Flynn also highlighted the importance of bringing communities together and encouraging more people to visit the city centre during the festive season.
The council hopes the programme will provide a welcome boost for local businesses, particularly shops, cafés, restaurants and other traders during one of the busiest shopping periods of the year.
Dundee’s Lord Provost, Bill Campbell, who will once again lead the torchlit parade at the Dundee Hooley, said:
“The Dundee Hooley is always a highlight, celebrating Scotland’s rich traditions and welcoming people from all backgrounds to enjoy Scottish music, culture and dance.”
More Christmas events still to be announced
And the celebrations won’t stop there!
Dundee’s wider Christmas programme will also include festive markets, community events and traditional Christian celebrations taking place across the city.
Further information about the Christmas Lights Switch-On and Dundee Hooley, including road closures, parade participation and lantern-making workshops, will be released nearer the time.
Details about the size, species and origin of Dundee’s real Christmas tree are also expected in early November.
With a spectacular drone display, live entertainment, a festive market and a fiery dragon-themed Hooley all on the way, Christmas 2026 is shaping up to be an exciting time for Dundee!
