Drivers were forced to turn back as fires were lit and fireworks were hurled in the city’s Kirkton area.
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Riot police were called in after a group of youths blocked roads in Dundee with bonfires and hurled fireworks in the street.
The disorder began on Beauly Square in the Kirkton area at about 17:30 on Monday and continued for several hours.
Drivers were forced to turn back from the fires and a Police Scotland helicopter circled above the area.
There were reports of vehicles being hit with bricks and people jumping on car roofs.
Another image appeared to show windows being smashed at a nearby school.
Videos on social media showed fires being lit on the adjacent Balgowan Avenue and police with riot shields attempting to contain the disorder as fireworks exploded next to them.
Firefighters were still on the scene in the early hours of Tuesday morning but there have not been any reports of anyone being injured.
The leader of Dundee City Council, John Alexander, said he was disgusted by the scenes.
He posted on Facebook: “This isn’t just a wee bonfire. Blocking roads with bins ablaze, smashing up cars and damaging our schools are scenes that you’d expect in an action movie or war-torn nation.
“I’m shocked but more than that, I’m angry. This reckless behaviour endangers lives, with emergency vehicles unable to pass on Balgowan Avenue and it costs residents and every taxpayer money.”
Councillor Daniel Coleman said the conduct was “inexcusable”.
He said: “The perpetrators are extremely lucky that no-one appears to have been hurt. With it having been Halloween, several children will have been out in the streets and this could have been a disaster.
“I hope that Police Scotland identify the culprits as quickly as possible and appropriate action is taken. What happened is simply not on. I will be contacting local police about my concerns.
“Public resources are already stretched to their absolute maximum without having to deal with this mindless behaviour”.
‘Children upset’
Local business owner Kelly Fairweather, who is also vice-president of the Dundee and Angus Chamber of Commerce, lives within three miles of where the chaos unfolded.
She told BBC Radio’s Good Morning Scotland: “It was fireworks going off, helicopters above. It was horrible. My children were really upset.
“I think we have to remember that’s not what Dundee is all about. It’s usually a very nice city.”
She also linked the trouble to the cost-of-living crisis.
“When people are bored and hungry, and people have got nothing to keep them going, then this seems to be the way that it plays out,” the business owner said.
“I’m really worried that because Dundee is so small, it will spread – and other places will then start to take advantage of it.”