Dundee’s UNESCO City of Design Christmas trees have returned for a fourth year
- Andrew Batchelor
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Dundee’s festive celebrations will shine once again this winter as the city unveils its latest collection of Designer Christmas Trees.
Created to celebrate Dundee’s status as the UK’s only UNESCO City of Design, the project brings together artists, makers and designers who transform recycled and reused materials into imaginative seasonal displays.
The trees will appear until Wednesday 7 January 2026.
Since launching in 2022, the initiative has commissioned 17 original designs, with four brand new additions debuting this year.
Each tree must be constructed using 100 percent recycled or reused materials, demonstrating both creativity and a commitment to sustainability.
This year’s lineup includes striking concepts made from electrical waste, road signs, discarded musical instruments and colourful tarpaulins.
Among the new designs is ‘The Christmice Tree’ by environmental creator Hollis Crowe. Crafted from old bed slats, reused chicken wire and household tech waste, it highlights the astonishing volume of e-waste produced in the UK each year.
Street artist John Fairley, also known as ZX81art, transforms disused road signs donated by The James Hutton Institute into a nostalgic tree titled ‘ARE WE THERE YET!!!’, inspired by family road trips during the festive season.
Wood-worker Louise Forbes and jeweller Islay Spalding, collaborating as Man Pin, have created ‘My Christmas Tree Was A…’, a structure built from broken musical instruments that even produces its own sound in the wind.
Meanwhile, Dundee visual artist Zoe Gibson presents her vibrant ‘Tinsel Trash’, made from tin cans, plastic signage and tarpaulins cut into tassels that mimic traditional tinsel.
A selection of designs from previous years will also return, including trees made from pallets, vinyl records, aluminium cans, skateboards and shoreline materials. Each one represents a different facet of Dundee’s creative identity, showcasing the talent found throughout the city.
Since 2014, Dundee has held the title of UNESCO City of Design, a distinction that reflects both its design heritage and forward-thinking creative community. This annual festive project continues to demonstrate how design can be used to inspire, educate and bring people together during the holiday season.
