Looking for something to do over the next week with the kids in Aberdeen City & Shire, then why not check out one of these family friendly events?
** Event details as at time of posting, please check through relevant links for more details **
Santa Specials
Where: Milton of Crathes Station, The Royal Deeside Railway, Milton of Crathes, Banchory AB31 5QH
Date: Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: 11.00am – 3.30pm
Price: Santa Special Ticket Prices
Adult : (10 years & over) £7.00 – includes a train ride, a hot mince pie and a drink
Child (1 – 9 years inclusive) : £9.50 – includes a present, biscuit, drink and train ride
Description: Santa’s on the train! Santa will be at the Milton of Crathes again this year with a sack full of presents for the children, and hot mince pies and drinks for the adults.
This year he will again be handing out presents to the children in the coaches during the train ride from the Milton station.
Website: http://www.deeside-railway.co.uk/santax.html
Facebook Events: Saturday & Sunday
Disney on Ice Presents Frozen
Where: AECC GE Oil & Gas Arena, Aberdeen AB23 8BL
Date: Wednesday 7th – Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: Fri 9th Dec – 6:30pm, Sat 10th Dec – 10:30am, 2:30pm & 6:30pm, Sun 11th Dec – 10:30am & 2:30pm
Price: From £20.35
Description: Disney on Ice will be returning to AECC’s GE Oil & Gas Arena for eight special shows from Wednesday 7th December to Sunday 11th December!
Tickets are on sale from www.ticketmaster.co.uk/AECC or 08444 77 9000
Enter a wintry wonderland when Disney On Ice presents Frozen – now a full-length spectacular live on ice! Join Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff and Sven, on a journey to discover love is the most magical power of all. Dazzling effects, astonishing skating and special appearances by favourite Disney stars combine to create memories to last a lifetime. Experience the Full Story – Live on Ice!
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/123242994751552/
Why not check out our review from the opening night of Disney on Ice!
Christmas @ the Lodge – Market and Grotto
Where: Bennachie Lodge, 1 Victoria Terrace, Kemnay AB51 5RL
Date: Saturday 10th December 2016
Time: 1.00pm – 4.00pm
Description: Come along to our outdoor Xmas celebration. Santa will be taking up residence @ the lodge for the afternoon (Santa grotto). A variety of stalls will be here for some Christmas shopping or to treat yourself.
Music will be playing and the chefs will be running a special Xmas style BBQ. Family day fun.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/BennachieLodgeHotel/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1114306032010414/
Mrs Claus’ Merry Christmas Party
Where: Castle Fraser, Aberdeen AB51 7LD
Date: Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: 10.00am – 12.00pm
Price: Tickets – Children over 3 – £5.50, Adults – £3.00, Children under 3 – Free, Concession – £2.50, Family – £12.50
Description: Come celebrate Christmas in Castle Fraser at Mrs Claus’ Merry Christmas Party! We have Christmas party games, festive crafts, face painting and join Mrs Claus for some storytelling by the fire.
Solve the clues to help find our sneaky Edmond Elf from Elf on the Shelf; he’s causing all sorts of chaos at the Castle!!
Website: https://nts.cloudvenue.co.uk/mrsclausmerrychristmasparty
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1067575783359845/
Santa Arriving on Fraserburgh Lifeboat
Where: RNLI Fraserburgh Lifeboat Station, Shore Street, Fraserburgh, Aberdeenshire AB43 9BR
Date: Saturday 10th December 2016
Time: 10.30am – 4.00pm
Description: Fraserburgh Lifeboat will be taking ashore a very special passenger, at a position just off Fraserburgh Harbour we will be picking up SANTA!!
Two Rockets will be fired to mark Santa’s arrival at Fraserburgh Harbour he will then step ashore at the Lifeboat berth at 10.30am and we would like to invite as much folk as possible to come along and welcome Santa to the Broch Santa’s sleigh will be waiting for him at Fraserburgh Lifeboat station and will then be led by Fraserburgh R. B. L. Pipeband and escorted by Fraserburgh Lifeboat Crew through the Town centre Up Kirk Brae,Broad street,Commerce street,Cross street High street Finishing at Broad Street arriving at his magical Grotto in Cheers Cafe Bar & Tavern where the children young and old can go and see Santa from 11.00am – 4.00pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/RNLIFraserburgh/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/819924654814194/
Christmas Fair
Where: Banff Playgroup & Toddlers, Bridge Street Community Centre, Bridge Street, Banff AB45 1HD
Date: Saturday 10th December 2016
Time: 11.00am – 4.00pm
Description: A fantastic festive day out for all the family, with lots of creative stalls selling gifts, decorations, cakes and more.
Tea and coffee will be served and plenty for the little ones too with a bouncy castle, face painting and fun and games. Not forgetting a chance to meet Father Christmas himself. Will take grotto bookings shortly.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/Banff-Playgroup-Toddlers-192241950792819/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/544269585758437/
Dance Explosion Christmas Party 2016
Where: Kincorth Community Centre, AB12 5NA
Date: Saturday 10th December 2016
Time: 1.00pm – 3.00pm
Price: £3 per ticket, all welcome
Description: Bouncy castle, party games, disco, party food and hopefully a visit from santa with a little present!
Website: https://www.facebook.com/DanceExplosionAberdeen/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/904783442991856/
Santa Claus is coming to The Sand Bothy
Where: The Sand Bothy, Balmedie Country Park, Aberdeen AB23 8WU
Date: Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: Sat 12.00pm – 4.00pm, Sun 12.00pm – 3.00pm
Price: £3 per child (for parcel and crafts)
Description: It’s Official! Santa Claus, Mrs Claus, the Elves and friends are visiting The Sand Bothy!
A magical weekend filled with Christmas stories, gifts for the children and festive arts and crafts. Fancy dress welcome. Raffle, Hot drinks and mince pies on sale.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/The-Sand-Bothy-422549074613864/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/975867749225535/
Aberdeen Santa Run and Obstacle Race
Where: Aberdeen Sports Village, Linksfield Road, Aberdeen AB245RU
Date: Saturday 10th December 2016
Time: 11.00am – 3.00pm
Price: Entry fee (includes free Santa suit!): £10.00 for Adults, £7.00 for Children (under 13’s)
Description: Ho ho ho! The 1 mile Santa Run and 1 mile Obstacle Course will take place at the outdoor track at Aberdeen Sports Village.
This fantastic fun filled event is a great way to get you and your friends in the festive spirit as you join other Santas to run, jog or walk the 1 mile race or the 1 mile obstacle course! Children of any ages are welcome. No previous experience is required.
As part of your entry fee, you will receive a space for both the mile run and the obstacle course, a Santa suit with hat, a Christmas medal, the complete support of our experienced events team and a small goodie bag. First, second and third places will be awarded with a prize!
Aberdeen Sports Village have chosen to fund raise money for their chosen charity CHAS. CHAS is the Children’s Hospice Association Scotland. The vision is that every baby, child and young person in Scotland will have care through two hospices – Rachel House in in Kinross and Robin House in Balloch, as well as having dedicated teams in Aberdeen and Inverness who care for families in their own homes when they need it the most.
Website: https://www.entrycentral.com/festival/1026
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/579226175616634/
Diving Santa
Where: Macduff Marine Aquarium, 11 High Shore, Macduff, Aberdeenshire AB44 1SL
Date: Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: 2.00pm
Description: He’s back for another swim in the aquarium! Santa will be dropping into the aquarium’s kelp tank at 2pm over the weekend to feed the fish.
Come and give him some encouragement, see him feed the fish and have your photo take with underwater Santa!
Website: https://www.facebook.com/macduffmarineaquarium/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/282216588846971/
Christmas Fayre at Haar Rock
Where: Haar Rock Coffee, 81 Charleston Road North, Cove, Aberdeen AB12 3SZ
Date: Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: 12.30pm – 4.30pm
Description: Pop along with family and friends and join us to get in the Xmas spirit.
We will have a selection of stalls from local businesses including makeup, nail products, home decorations, personalised cards, home gifts, jewellery, candles, candy, glitter glasses, great coffee, fine pieces and much more.
Santa will be there for a bit handing out goodies for the kids and mulled wine for mums and dads! Hope to see you there.
Website: https://www.facebook.com/haarrockcoffeecove/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/248953452187688
Christmas Concert and Carol Sing-A-Long
Where: Ferryhill Parish Church, Fonthill Road, Aberdeen AB11 6UD
Date: Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: 7.00pm – 10.00pm
Price: Tickets £8 for adults and £5 for concessions – available on the door
Description: Experience the very best Christmas concert in Aberdeen, with the Bon-Accord Silver Bands.
The bands will be performing a mixture of traditional and modern Christmas classics and there will be plenty of opportunity for you to sing along to your favourite carols.The Bon-Accord Silver Band and Bon-Accord Silver ‘B’ Band will be filling Ferryhill Parish Church with festive joy and that warm fuzzy feeling of Christmas.
Mince pies and mulled wine will be available at the interval and will once again be included in your tickets price. We hope to see you all there again this year – you can wear your favourite Christmas jumper if you wish!
Website: http://www.bonaccordband.org.uk/concerts.html
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1449217351758883/
Christmas Light Switch-On and Santa’s Arrival
Where: Trump International Golf Links Scotland, Balmedie AB23 8YE
Date: Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: 3.00pm – 5.00pm
Price: Free entry
Description: Join us to celebrate the start of the festive season at our Annual Christmas Light Switch-On and the arrival of Santa Claus!
Doors Open at 3.00pm with Santa arriving at 4.00pm
Hot food and refreshments will be available as well as music, entertainment and fireworks. Booking isn’t required.
Website: http://www.trumpgolfscotland.com/events
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/937948092978278/
Christmas Fair at Durn House
Where: Durn House, Durn Road, Portsoy AB45 2XT
Date: Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: 1.00pm – 5.00pm
Price: Entry free for all
Description: Following a very successful event last year, the Durn House Christmas Fair is back!
Get yourself in the festive spirit by browsing through a fantastic range of home-made gifts and delicious food, enjoy entertainment from carol singers by the Christmas Tree and treat yourself to some yummy treats in our Festive Tea Room.
Eat, Drink & Be Merry with Durn House
Website: https://www.facebook.com/DurnHouse/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1838246023103609/
Little Explorer Day: Snow Science
Where: Aberdeen Science Centre, 179 Constitution Street, Aberdeen AB24 5TU
Date: Thursday 15th December 2016
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Price: Prices On Little Explorer Days, discounted entry fees apply for all public visitors: Adults: £4.75, Children: £3.75, 2’s and under are free of charge
Description: What do animals do during the winter? What is snow? Join us to explore the science of snow on Little Explorer Day on the 15 December.
Little Explorer Days offer fun, hands-on science based activities that encourage learning through play and are suited for little scientists aged 3-5 years.
Each Little Explorer Day workshop lasts approximately 30 minutes and is supported by related activity tables on the Exhibition Floor.
These days are open to both the public and groups however if you are wishing to attend with a group then we would recommend you book in advance. Please contact a member of the STEM Learning Team on 01224 640 340 for more details.
Website: http://aberdeensciencecentre.org/
Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/333034553716373/
Santa’s Winter Wonderland at Bon Accord
Where: Bon Accord Shopping Centre, George Street, Aberdeen AB25 1HZ
Date: Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th December 2016
Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm
Price: Entry £4.50 which includes a free gift and all proceeds go to Clan Cancer Support
Description: It’s time for excitement. It’s time for enchantment. It’s time…to meet Santa
The magic of Christmas is to be brought to life in Santa’s Winter Wonderland. There will be snow and magic all around and children of all ages are invited to come on down and soak up the sparkle.
Santa and his magical Winter Wonderland, will be based in the upper mall at the Bon Accord Centre.
Website: visit http://www.bonaccordandstnicholas.com/whats-on-in-aberdeen/422-santa-visits-the-centre for full details of dates
Santa’s Post Office
Where: Aberdeen Trinity Centre, 155 Union Street, Aberdeen AB11 6BE
Date: Saturday 19th November 2016
Time: 11.00am – 4.00pm
Price: Free
Description: An enchanting Santa’s Post Office where friendly elves help children write and send their Christmas wish list is set to open and bring some Christmas magic to The Trinity Centre and its shoppers – aimed at children, families and the young at heart.
A team of Christmas elves will be busy at work every weekend from Saturday 19th November until Christmas Eve, including the 23rd and 24th of December. With the help of Santa’s elves, we’re inviting children to write their Christmas wish list and post their letters through a magical post box and watch as it travels all the way to Santa in Lapland – we reckon it will be the perfect place to make some special memories this Christmas.
The post office will be open every weekend from 19th November from 11.00am – 4.00pm and is 100% FREE to participate.
Website: http://www.trinityaberdeen.co.uk/events-and-news/santas-post-office
We hope this has given you some inspiration for the week ahead. Let us know in the comments below or over on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter what you get up too!
If you have an event you would like listed in a future ‘What’s on’ post drop us an email at mimi@mummymimi.co.uk