Crowds of up to 13,000 are expected at both Guy Fawkes events as thousands of pounds worth of pyrotechnics light up the sky above the city.

Leisure and arts convener Charles Farquhar said the displays were a safe-yet-spectacular alternative to setting off a few squibs in the back garden.

He said, “I would encourage people to come along to the council’s organised displays. They can enjoy what I am sure will be a spectacular sight in a safe and controlled environment.”

For the emergency services, gearing up for one of their most hectic nights of the year, it’s a case of the more the merrier at the council shows.

Station officer Graham Clark, of Tayside Fire Brigade, said, “Fireworks by their nature are very unpredictable, and organised events such as those run by the council are far superior both visually and in terms of safety.”

The council displays, put together by the leisure and arts department in conjunction with police and the fire brigade, begin at 5.30 pm with music from the Radio Tay roadshow.

The bonfires will be lit at 6.15 pm, followed by a 25-minute display of fireworks from 7 pm. Superintendent Matt Hamilton, of Tayside Police, said that they were ready for thousands of people descending on the two city parks.

“These displays are much safer, they are run every year and are always enjoyable and successful,” said Supt. Hamilton, deputy divisional commander for Dundee.

“If people can walk to the events, then we would ask them to do that, or take public transport, because parking is always at a premium.”

The public are also being asked not to take sparklers or fireworks to the displays.