Aberdeen city centre will be lit up at the Castlegate Christmas tree switch-on ceremony in Thursday.

The 35ft Norwegian Fir is gifted to Aberdeen every year from its twin city Stavanger in Norway.

The switch-on starts at 7pm and is part of the city's Christmas in Aberdeen festive events line-up.

Lord provost Barney Crockett and the deputy mayor of Stravanger Bjorg Tysdel Moe will carry out the ceremony.

The tree will receive a blessing from Aberdeen Churches Together and there will be a musical performance by Big Noise Torry, run by charity Sistema Scotland.

Mr Crockett said: "The city centre already feels very festive with the Christmas Village on Broad Street but the lighting of the Castlegate Christmas tree is always a special event on the festive calendar that allows us to recognise the successful partnerships between organisations in Aberdeen and Stavanger that have been cultivated over the years."

Team leader at Big Noise Torry Laura Horn said: "We have 20 very excited children from Big Noise Torry looking forward to performing as part of a choir at the ceremony.

"Being part of this special community event is a wonderful opportunity for the children to perform in front of their friends, family and community members, while also helping to build their confidence and self-esteem."

The lighting of the Christmas tree is the beginning of a weekend of festive events.