9 Christmas lights switch-on events to bring you some festive cheer in Aberdeenshire
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It's that time of year again and across the north-east communities are getting ready to celebrate Christmas.
FYVIE - Fyvie Christmas Lights switch on takes place on Friday, November 24 at 6.30pm at Forbes-Leith Park with carol singing and refreshments in the Legion.
MONYMUSK - Monymusk Christmas light switch on takes place on Saturday, November 25, 5pm-7pm
Music and food from 5pm with Kintore Pipe Band at 5.45pm and lights switch on 6pm followed by fireworks then Santa and Sleigh. Collection buckets will be in operation and stalls will include mulled wine, hot chocolate and christmas mince pies, burgers, hot dogs, soup and cold drinks (cash only).
ELLON - Ellon Christmas Lights Day takes place on Saturday 25. Fun and stalls in the Riverside car park daytime, parade early evening from 5.15pm then fireworks at 6pm. From 6pm -9pm at Brewdog is serving up festive specials.
INVERURIE - Parade and Lights on takes place on Sunday 26, 2pm - 6pm at Market Place. St Andrews Parade 3.30pm, lights on at 5pm. stalls, foodvans, fireworks and music.
TURRIFF - Christmas lights on takes place on Sunday 26, 1pm -5pm - shops open with specials on the day. There will be music and entertainment throughout the afternoon with a wide range of stalls, catering and fun activities along Main Street and High Street. The switch on will be performed at the tree and the coo by Pearl Hendry, Citizen of the Year.
ALFORD - Festival and Parade runs on Sunday, 26 with a multitude of events including - Alford community fire station (11am - 3.30pm) -Meet Alford's Firemen and have a look round the Engine.
Alford Golf Course (11am-3.30pm) - Santa's Grotto (Golf) (includes receiving a gift), Love Rara Characters - meet & greets, games and fun (superhero and princesses), games and hair braiding. Haughton Arms Hotel (11am - 3.30pm) and (5pm-8pm) Lots and lots of games to play including fairground games, buzz wire, connect 4, play your cards right, Jenga, chess and many more (charges may apply) Family Disco (5pm til 8pm) Outside Entertainment, including Bon Accord Silver Brass Band, Lonach Pipeband and Craigievar Community Choir; Alford village public hall (11am - 5pm) Craft Fair-local handmade quality goodies for your Christmas shopping.
Parade and lights switch on - Main Street (4pm-4.45pm) with the Cairngorm Reindeers, Santa, his many elves, Superhero and Princesses, Thomas the Tank Engine, Tractors, Fire Engine and Alford Academy Pipe Band for Santa at the "Big Tree" in the garden of the Haughton Arms Hotel; Grampian Transport Museum (9.30am - 3.30pm) Santa run (sign up in advance) Elf Mile Dash - 1km-(9.30am) (Free) Santa-5km (10am) - £16 adults, £10 children; Alford valley railway station (11am -3.30pm) Train will be running to take you to the Haughton House Park starting at 10.30am; last train 3pm (charges may apply); Magical Christmas bus (11am-3.30pm) Running approx. every half hour with first bus leaving village (at 11am) and Haughton Park (leave approx. on every half hour) Last Collection from village - 3pm Last Collection from Haughton Park - 3.30pm; Haughton Holiday Park (11am - 3.30pm)
Food Fair Market (an array of foodies delights to purchase) Entertainment (including Leanne McVeigh Dance Academy, Alford Academy Pipeband and Stuart Veitch) Fairground Merry-go-Round (charges may apply) Thomas the Tank Engine - Train Rides around Haughton Park, Mini Pony and Pigmy Goats and Donkeys, Christmas Fairy Light Trail, Santa's Grotto (Park) (includes receiving a gift).
KINTORE- This years Christmas lights switch on event will be held on Saturday, December 2 from 4pm to 6pm in the Kintore Town Square. Celebrations will begin with Kintore Church holding a Christmas sing-a-long from 4pm - 4.30pm with Kemnay Academy Concert band providing the music. This will be followed by Kintore Pipe Band arriving at the square playing some festive classics. Santa will of course be making an appearance to give out selection boxes to all children. Two lucky children, one from Midmill Primary School and one from Kintore Primary School will be turning on the Christmas tree lights after the big count down!
BALMEDIE- Balmedie Christmas Lights take place on Saturday December 2, 6pm. Christmas light switch on event and Santa's Grotto (this is happening after our fun day at the Whitehorse) Outside there will also be takeaway tea, coffee and hot chocolate to enjoy whilst the lights are being turned on. Come visit santa in his Grotto, £3 includes gift Happening at the Community grass area just at the car park for the wee kirk.
OLDMELDRUM - Christmas Lights Switch-on - Sunday, December 3. Meldrum Amenities Improvement Group (MAIG) will hold their annual Christmas Lights Switch-on event featuring Kintore Pipe Band, Meldrum Academy Pipe band, Meldrum Academy Choir and Rock bands, Santa and his Elves The event starts at 3pm in Oldmeldrum Town Square, Official Christmas Lights Switch-on 4pm.
