A round up of some of the regular creative event nights, meet ups, festivals and more which happen in and around Dundee. It’s no way complete, so do email us your suggestions: news@creativedundee.com
For all other events, check out Creative Dundee, for music gigs see: inDundee.co.uk and general events: Dundee.com.
Weekly
Duke’s Open Mic Night – open to musicians and singers – held weekly on Wednesdays in this popular central bar.
All The Young Nudes is a life drawing club that welcomes everyone and anyone interested in drawing to join in sketching every Tuesday night.
Monthly
Tech Meetup is a monthly informal meetup and networking for technologists, creatives and designers – held last Tuesday of month.
Think Different Dundee is a monthly meetup for those interested in design, science, creativity and entrepreneurship – held first Thursday of month.
Quarterly
Pecha Kucha Nights Dundee: run by Creative Dundee and part of the global PKN network. Hear from 12 speakers at this super speedy event night. Held every February, May and November.
Annually
May:
Ignite Dundee is a festival celebrating the amazing range of culture and creativity our city has to offer during the month of May.
Degree Show at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design – showcasing graduating talent across a number of disciplines.
Digital Graduate Show at Abertay University – showcasing graduate talent from digital media to video games.
End of Year Exhibition at Dundee & Angus College an exhibition of final year students from the college’s creative courses.
SpringFest is about celebrating local and national musical talent, bringing exciting, quality music to as wide an audience as possible.
June:
Dundee Westfest is a community led festival in the West End of Dundee, celebrating the city by harnessing the talents, skills and enthusiasm of local people to create a memorable and enjoyable annual festival, including Big Sunday.
Small Society Lab is an open project exploring the development and understanding of the small city of the future, led by DCA and DJCAD.
August:
Dare Protoplay is the UK’s biggest indie games festival and takes place over 4 days in Dundee.
Masters Show at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design showcases Masters students work from a number of creative disciplines.
Blue Skies is Dundee’s festival of kite flying, stargazing and rainbow chasing.
September:
Doors Open Days – a number of often closed buildings open across the city, with behind the scenes access and tours for a weekend.
Scottish Jewellery Week is a festival celebrating the ever-growing jewellery community in Scotland, led by Vanilla Ink.
Ickle Film Fest brings together filmmakers of all flavours for a weekend programme of screenings in Dundee.
Yuck ‘n Yum Zine Fair – an annual zine fair with events, talks and music throughout the day.
October:
Wasps Open Studios artists and designers in Meadowmill open their studio doors for a weekend in October.
The Big Draw, the world’s largest drawing event happens each year during October, with events in Dundee.
Dundee Literary Festival brings together some of the most talked about names from the world of literature, journalism, philosophy and politics.
Discovery Film Festival screens films from all over the world which have been specially programmed for young audiences.
November:
NEoN Digital Arts is Scotland’s only Digital Arts Festival, a hybrid mix of exhibitions, installation, performance and sound.
Dundee Science Festival is an annual two week long festival featuring a programme for young people and adults.
Book Yer Ane Fest is an annual three-day DIY punk/hxc/emo/whatever festival hosted by Make-That-A-Take Records to raise money and awareness for Safe-Tay and the causes that they support.