Creative Dundee

Dundee Christmas buying guide 2016

****if you are looking for a 2018 christmas guide, come on over to this page!****

There’s a nip in the air, plenty of rosy faces lining the streets, and we have a sudden craving for delicious, homemade soup. Yup, it’s that time of year again – Winter is upon us and Christmas is just around the corner!

To save you searching high and low for opportunities to spend your hard earned cash on gifts for your loved ones, we’ve compiled a list of all the markets, events and pop-ups happening across Dundee to provide you the perfect opportunity to pick up something unique.

Don’t forget Small Business Saturday on 3 December – use this opportunity to take a stroll around Dundee downtown business area, including Exchange Street, Dock Street, Seagate, Commercial Street and Union Street. There’s also some great places along Perth Road as well as the West End, and some brilliant designers in Wasps Studios and Fleet Collective to have a look at.

Pop-up Dundee Christmas Market: 18 November

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Enjoy the best of the area’s food, drink and craft producers in Dundee’s newest outdoor event space, Slessor Gardens on the eve of Light Nights.  West House and The Tinsmith will serve up cocktails from the cosy confines of a winter-themed snowbar whilst stalls will include Dundee fashion label Dreamland to sell contemporary and vintage clothing, and Selection Box Dundee’s a tote-painting workshop. Many independent businesses will remain open until 9pm including Flame Tree Café, Coffee and Co and M Boutique.

18 November from 4-9pm.
Slessor Gardens, Dundee Waterfront.

The Merry Red Bus – 20 November

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Selection Box, in collaboration with the Dundee Transport Museum, will be parking a Merry Red Bus in front the Wellgate Shopping Centre to offer some free festive fun. All are welcome aboard the bus to take part in making Christmas gifts whilst learning new artistic skills including mono printing, zine making, a crochet workshop.  There’s also the opportunity for attendees to invent their own vehicle in a collage-card workshop, which will see designs entered into the Dundee Transport Museum’s 2017 Christmas Card Competition.

In addition to making gifts, there’s cakes and treats by Abbie Cartmell and Shona Heaney, and an art exhibition on the top deck.

20 November, 11am-3pm.
Outside Wellgate Shopping Centre, Murraygate. 

Meet Your Winter Makers: 26 November – 2 December

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Meet your Winter Makers will feature a diverse range of handmade works from local makers in Dundee. This specially selected group will exhibit a selection of woodwork, glass work, jewellery, ceramics and textiles. Within Neo Design there will be an exhibition of the maker’s work and a shop, open 10am until 5pm Monday to Saturdays during the event. Workshops and demonstrations will happen throughout including, mono printing, pyrography and woodwork, ring making and a hapa zome silk scarf workshop – check out the Facebook event for more info on workshops. There’s also a launch evening from 6-10pm on 25 November. The preview evening will be accompanied with drinks and nibbles donated by Huffmans Ltd.

Launch: 25 November 6pm then 26 November – 2 December, 10-5pm.
Neo Design, 143c Nethergate. 

Tea Green POP UP Boutique: 26 November – 24 December

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A truly unique pop up boutique in time for Christmas showcasing some of Scotland’s most talented independent artists, designers & contemporary craftspeople.

The event will showcase stunning and limited edition works of local designers, including textiles, jewellery, ceramics, glass, illustration, painting and much more, all set against the historical backdrop and features of the old mill. Alongside the works, many of which will be new to the Dundee marketplace, Tea Green will also have a programme of bookable workshops for the public to take part in and make something for themselves.

26 November – 24 December, 10.30am-6pm daily and open until 7.30pm on Thursdays.
The Old Flour Mill, 20 Exchange Court.

Emmock Farm Artists at Home for Christmas: 26 & 27 November, 3 & 4 December

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A collective of four artists and design makers who have studios or exhibit at Emmock Farm. Showcasing unique and individually designed Christmas gift ideas, including paper cut designs and bespoke wood-turned pieces by April Black; hand dyed individual silk, chiffon and nuno felted scarves, pashminas and soft furnishings by Patricia Griffin; hallmarked contemporary designed sterling silver jewellery and small silver pieces by Michael Kay; and bold, punchy pieces of abstract naturalism alongside quirky lino-cut and woodblock print work by Ros Macdonald’s Inky Works.

26 & 27 November, 3 & 4 December, 10am-5pm. 
Steading House Studio, Emmock Farm, Tealing.

The Stables Christmas Market: 1 December

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Taypark House have their Christmas Farm, furniture and gift shop in The Stables  throughout December. Pop along to the launch evening on 2 December for an opportunity to meet the suppliers and chat about their local produce. There will also be free tastings, funky furniture, hand-made gifts, a guest art gallery and live acoustic music to kick off the festive spirit.

1 December and continues throughout the month, 10am-6pm daily. Launch evening on 2 December, 5-9pm.
Taypark House, 484 Perth Road. 

Dundee Christmas Fair: 3-18 December

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The Dundee Christmas Fair takes place in the heart of Dundee in City Square from 3-18 December at the Caird Hall. A lively launch will take place on Monday 5 December in front of the Caird Hall at 1.30pm with The Rt Honourable Lord Provost of Dundee, Robert Duncan and special guest Kathryn Sygrove, from the British Association of Fair Trade Shops and Suppliers (BAFTS) and Founder of Hand Up Events, Tania Pramschufer.

3-18 December, 10am-6pm and open until 7pm on Thursdays to Saturdays.
Caird Hall, City Square.

Specifically Vintage Christmas Market: 3 December

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Specifically Vintage present a Christmas Vintage Market with free entry for all.

3 December, 11am-4pm.
Roseangle Cafe, 132 Perth Road.

Duke’s Corner Christmas Night Market: 6 December

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Duke’s Corner’s free night market returns on Tuesday 6 December from 6pm. Head down to sample some great food and drink and pick up a unique Christmas present or two.

6 December, 6pm.
Duke’s Corner, 13 Brown St

Glamis Castle Christmas Market – 9-11 December

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The Glamis Castle Christmas Market will be returning on the 9th, 10th and 11th of December 2016. Crafters and delicatessen shall fill the courtyard at the back of the castle and shall provide lots of festive goodies for all your Christmas shopping needs.

9-11 December, 10.30am-5pm.
Glamis Castle, Glamis.

THRUMS UP! A celebration of Christmas – 9-11 December

Image: Alistair Carrie

Image: Alistair Carrie

Supported by the local Saltire Society, a group of local artists and producers of fine foods are showcasing their work in the old Parish Church hall Kirriemuir. The event gives attendees a chance to view, purchase and engage directly with a diverse array of local artists and food producers.

9-11 December, 5pm – 8pm on 9 December then open 10am until 4pm on 10 December and 1pm – 4pm on 11 December. 
Kirriemuir Old Parish Church Hall, Kerriemuir. 

HM Frigate Unicorn Christmas Fayre – 10 December

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Enjoy a Christmas themed day on the Unicorn with stalls, children’s storytelling and face painting, and a cafe. Entry is free.

10 December, 11am-4pm.
HM Frigate Unicorn, City Quay.

Dundee Winter Market 2016 – 10 December

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An array of hand crafted items and produce from around the local area, along with tea, coffee, light bites available at the cafe as well as prize winning opportunities and a range of tombola, raffle and lucky dips.

10 December, 11am-3pm.
Steeple Church, Nethergate.

WASPS Christmas Sale 2016 – 11 December

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A chance to pick up your very own unique and original Christmas gifts from the creative WASPS Studios. Products for sale will include paintings, drawings, limited edition prints, jewellery, handmade fashions, clothing, textiles, knitwear, bags, ceramics, accessories, stocking fillers and more. There will also be a few special guests from creative businesses around the city.

11 December, 12-5pm. 
WASPS Studios, Meadow Mill. 

The Circle PopDundee £10 Christmas Craft Market – 11 December

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The Circle are teaming up with PopDundee to bring a £10 Christmas Craft Market. The day will feature unique, locally designed gifts which all have a price tag of £10 or less.

11 December, 11am-5pm. 
The Circle, 4-6 Staffa Place.

The Circle will also be having a stylish thrift-mas get together on 1 December from 7-9pm with Dundee lifestyle blogger, Christina Miller aka The Daydreamer. Christina will be hosting a hands-on workshop showing how to make wardrobe basics work for over the festive season. Tickets are £6 but include a mocktail and seasonal canapes. Click here to purchase.

1 December, 7-9pm.
The Circle, 4-6 Staffa Place.

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