For children, it’s about presents Santa and seeing the Christmas decorations that can light up even the coldest of rooms.
For adults, it’s a little different. But when it comes to Christmas lights being switched on, it can spark some of that childish wonder once again.
Do you spot any familiar faces in our gallery?
1978: Eleanor McPherson and her two-year-old grandson Shaun watching the big switch-on at the Music Hall.
1981: The Christmas lights are already installed on the west end of Union Street on November 23.
1980: The Christmas lights were switched on an hour earlier this year to encourage late-night shoppers.
1981: Christmas lights and Christmas tree on the Castle Street/Union Street area.
1980: 11-year-old Debra Graves of Linn Moor Residential School has been chosen to switch on the lights.
1980: With 41 shopping days to go, the Christmas lights go up in George Street.
1964: A marching band at the switch-on with new lights bought from London that year.
1978: Aberdeen’s £7,000 Christmas lights in position on Union Street.
1986: Marlpool School pupil Susan Henderson switches on the lights accompanied by Lord Provost Henry Rae.
1996: A splash of colour lights up a rainy Union Street after the official switch-on.
1990: Christmas lights on Union Street as city shoppers gear up for the festive season.
1995: Stephanie Keenan, five, helps Irish singer Daniel O’Donnell’s to switch on the city’s Christmas lights.
1977: 11-year-old Gordon Fraser, foreground, son of Lord Provost William Fraser, pulls the switch to launch a blaze of colour.
1974: Margaret Macrae and her three-year-old daughter Laura enjoy the city lights.
1982: School for the Deaf pupil Helga McGilp, 9, switches on the lights with Lord Provost Alex Collie – and Santa of course.
1985: 11-year-old Lerwick girl Diane Scott, a pupil at Woodlands School, performs the official switch-on ceremony. with Lord Provost Henry Rae on the Town House balcony.
The Aberdonian: Christmas lights sparkle through the years
