A new event celebrating St Andrew’s Day is being launched in Dundee.
Organisers of the Dundee Hooley are promising a “fun night to remember” with live music, circus performers and traditional street food in the city centre.
There will also be a torchlit parade and ceilidh at City Square on Saturday November 26 – ahead of St Andrew’s Day on November 30.
What to expect at Dundee Hooley
Crowds will be able to enjoy shadow storytelling from night-time street act Ghost Caribou, bubble fun with children’s entertainer Poppy Bubbles and music from traditional Scottish bands Doolichters and Skyrie.
They can also keep warm by enjoying stovies or a dram from street traders.
The highlight of the evening will be the Dundee Hooley parade that will travel through the city centre.
Starting at 5.15pm from Dundee High School, it will move along Panmure Street, the Murraygate and High Street, before arriving at City Square at 5.45pm.
Those aged 16 and over, who would like to take part and carry a torch, will be able to collect one from the High School of Dundee from 4.30pm, free of charge.
Led by the Lord Provost and High School of Dundee Pipe Band, the parade will feature members of the Umbrella Project from entertainment group Cirque Bijou and Dundee’s own Urban Moves dance company, as well as fire performers from Circus Scotland.
It will be brought to a grand finale by Brass, Aye? – a community brass band from Glasgow.
The evening will culminate in a ceilidh outside Caird Hall after the procession arrives at City Square.
Timings for Dundee Hooley
4pm: Entertainment starts at City Square.
4.30pm: Public asked to gather for procession at High School of Dundee to collect a wristband if they wish to take part in the parade and hold a torch.
4:45pm: Performance from The Doolichters.
5.15pm: Procession sets off from High School of Dundee playground.
5.45pm: Procession arrives in City Square.
6pm: Ceilidh starts.
7pm: Ceilidh finishes.
8pm: Event closes.
No plans for Christmas lights switch-on event
In previous years, a torchlit procession has formed part of Dundee’s Christmas lights switch-on event – though this has not taken place since the Covid pandemic.
A spokesperson for Dundee City Council said: “The Dundee Hooley is an entirely new event, adding to the calendar of events in the city.
“As in the past couple of years there are no plans for a Christmas light switch-on event, instead there is a three week programme of free festive installations and activity in City Square, which people can visit and enjoy in their own time and at their own pace.”
It comes as the city’s main Christmas tree will once again be positioned outside the Steeple Church on Nethergate, where the local authority has installed a “living” tree that will stay there all year round.
Meanwhile Winterfest gets under way at Slessor Gardens on November 25.
Conversation