With just one week to go, we have compiled an essential guide to visiting the museum and 3D Festival over our opening weekend (Friday 14 – Sunday 16 September).
Road closures and diversions
Up to 20,000 people from Dundee, across Scotland and around the world are expected to attend the 3D Festival, which will take place in Slessor Gardens next to the museum. As a result, Dundee City Centre will be busier than normal, with a number of road closures and diversions in place:
- Riverside Esplanade will be closed from 10.00, Friday 14 September to 22.00, Saturday 15 September
- Thomson Avenue will be closed from 14.00, Friday 14 September to 6.00, Sunday 16 September
A flexible approach to transport will help over this time, and be sure to plan your journeys in advance and use public transport, or walk, wherever possible.
Full travel and road closure information can be found on Dundee City Council’s website and Dundee Travel Info. Information will also be shared across our social media channels over our opening weekend.
Friday 14 Sep: 3D Festival
Ticket required (fully booked)
Location: Slessor Gardens
Everyone attending on Friday evening is advised to get down early when gates open at 17.30 so as not to miss the full experience. Those without a ticket can watch the 3D Festival on BBC2 Scotland from 21.00.
See the event listing on our website
Saturday 15 Sep: 3D Festival
No ticket required
Location: Slessor Gardens
To mark our official opening day, the festival will continue on Saturday with a day dedicated to celebrating the very best creative talent in Scotland. Performances will include up-and-coming Dundee music talent, mass participation choral collaborations, and specially designed hands-on makerspace workshops (these will run from 10.00 – 17.00).
The 3D Festival on Saturday will be open to everyone on a first come, first served basis with no tickets required. Those attending are advised to plan their day ahead.
Main stage times
- 11.00 – SHHE
- 11.50 – Kashmir Crows
- 12.40 – St Martiins
- 13.30 – Andrew Wasylyk
- 14.30 – Kyle Falconer
- 15.30 – Be Charlotte
- 16.30 – Gary Clark
- 16.50 – Gary Clark & Sistema Scotland
See the event listing on our website
Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 Sep: museum entry
Ticket required (fully booked)
Access to the museum on the first two days has been ticketed and is fully booked; those without a ticket will be able to visit us as normal from Monday 17 September, no ticket required.
To visit the museum, use the entrance near Discovery Point. Those with a ticket for the museum on Saturday can also make their way to the entrance via the 3D Festival, which they can enjoy both before and after their visit. Parking will not be available at the museum over these two days: information about nearby carparks can be found on the Dundee City Council website.
There may be queues over the weekend, both inside and outside the museum, so visitors are asked to be prepared for the weather. And please arrive at least 15 minutes before your allocated timeslot.
Ocean Liners exhibition tickets will be available for sale in the museum on the day for those with museum tickets.
About the 3D Festival
More information about the 3D Festival can be found in our earlier blog post
The 3D Festival is being co-designed by V&A Dundee’s Young People’s Collective, a group of 16 to 25-year-olds from across the city. It is a key event in Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018, a year-long programme of events and activities that will give young people in Scotland the opportunity to show the world what they are made of.
The 3D Festival is supported by EventScotland, Year of Young People 2018, wealth managers Brewin Dolphin, DC Thomson, global self-service technology supplier NCR and Arts & Business Scotland.
V&A Dundee is working in partnership with Dundee City Council to deliver the event at the heart of the rejuvenated Dundee waterfront.
I have been following your site for a few months as we are V&A London members and had planned to visit Dundee on Saturday 15th with friends visiting then. Now I am most disappointed to find that you have made it a ticketed event. That was never made clear on the website. And second, which museum doesn’t let in its members any time. Not a good start!
In the same position as Tricia above. Booked and paid for hotel room for my wife and I 8 months ago for this event. Checked and double checked the V and A site to see ‘ no ticket required FOR ENTRY. Now will not be able to gain entry. Absolutely furious especially considering we would have been more than happy to have paid if it had simply stated this
The balloting of tickets seems to be the fairest and most logical way to ensure EVERYONE had an equal chance to see the V&A during its opening weekend. Well done V&A!