Thousands brave cold for Dundee Christmas Light Night 2011
The festive season officially arrived in Dundee on Friday as around 25,000 people braved the cold for the switching-on of the Christmas lights.
- By Craig McManamon
- Published in the Courier : 26.11.11
- Published online : 26.11.11 @ 10.50am
Dundee's Christmas Light Night more than doubled in size this year with over 700 participants entertaining crowds.
The event kicked off with a peal of the church bells before a torchlight procession, led by Lord Provost John Letford, made its way from the McManus Galleries to the City Square.
At around 6.45pm the provost counted down from 10 before flicking on the lights to cheers and applause from the crowd.
He said afterwards that despite this being his 11th year of carrying out the honour it is something he never tires of.
He added: "It was absolutely fantastic. There was a brilliant crowd. It really was a great experience despite this year being the coldest one I have done."
Entertainment included live music and street performers. There were also local choirs performing carols.
The Wellgate and Overgate centres opened late for the occasion, as did many other retailers, including our own shop at the DC Thomson building in Meadowside.
Images from Scotland's favourite comic strips were projected on to the front of the building, turning it into the famous Glebe Street tenements.
For one family from Arbroath the trip to the city was well worth it. Jim Beattie and his wife Gillian had never been to the switch-on before. They took their two young children, Kara (3) and Ava (6), to see what all the fuss was about.
"Dundee really did itself proud tonight," Jim said. "We have never seen it before but it was really well done — a great night."
An outdoor disco dance floor off Reform Street proved popular with youngsters and Dennis the Menace also made a guest appearance at the City Square to take part in a surprise Christmas flashmob.
Dancers from The Space at Dundee College were asked by organisers, One City, Many Discoveries, to provide a routine which attracted a lot of attention from onlookers.
A spectacular fireworks display concluded the evening at around 9pm.
- For a full photo gallery click here
Over 70 organisations and activities were involved on the night compared with 45 in previous years, highlighting the growing importance of the event in Dundee's calendar.
Councillor Will Dawson, convener of city development, said: "The event is clearly growing in size and significance for people in Tayside and is a pre-Christmas celebration for the whole community."
11.05am - 26.11.2011 Mark - Dundee, UK Report This
A positive picture painted here, but in amongst the crowds just before the lights went on, it was chaos and I'm amazed no-one was injured. If the event is going to keep "growing in size" then Dundee City Council need to revisit their crowd control procedures.
12.54pm - 26.11.2011 Kbcying - Carnoustie, Scotland Report This
All that occurred during this & not ONE mention of Jesus. THE reason for CHRIST mas. If only so many people bothered going to church on a Sunday. It's all presents, alcohol & days off to people now - the true meaning is lost these days!....
03.51pm - 26.11.2011 Ian P - Dundee, city of, Scotland UK Report This
Tayside? Cllr Dawson should concentrate in keeping the people of Dundee happy.
12.34pm - 27.11.2011 Kbcying - Carnoustie, Scotland Report This
CHRISTmas is about Jesus, not lights & tills ringing...if only this many people went to church every Sunday!....
02.10am - 28.11.2011 W. Smith - Dundee, Scotland UK Report This
Well done, Dundee.
02.10pm - 28.11.2011 Citizen - Dundee, United Kingdom Report This
@kbcying if you want to get preachy then check your history books, Christmas is actually a pagan celebration practised long before what we know now know as CHRISTmas. Nice to see the city still putting on a show in these tough times.
02.50pm - 28.11.2011 Stewart - Dundee, UK Report This
Well done DCC, it was a truly fantastic event for all the family to enjoy. Its great to see the city centre of Dundee so busy in the evening and it really was a fantastic advert for the city.
03.31pm - 28.11.2011 Andy Burns - Dundee, Scotland Report This
Fantastic Night, Great time had by all and the Nativaty went very well at the City Churches, Well done Dundee for a great night. Andy Burns. co-0rdinator. Dundee Street Chaplains.
04.54pm - 28.11.2011 Sean O' - Dundee, UK Report This
Yes, Dundee is getting it right at last. In previous years the lights have become tired and predictable, and the plastic tree a poor advert. Roundabouts may be struggling with their events (good show, Ferry), but Dundee is going from strength to strength. Now, when was the last time we said that?
07.24pm - 28.11.2011 Peter McD - Dundee, UK Report This
@Kbcying There was a traditional nativity play with a choir performing outside the city churches near the Old Steeple in fact it was the second year of this with last years performance in the square. It involved churches and volunteers from across the city so the real meaning was part of the event.
Add a comment