Thousands will see Alesha switch on lights

As many as 30,000 people are expected to descend upon Perth city centre next weekend as the Christmas lights are switched on.

Britain’s Got Talent Judge and pop star Alesha Dixon is the headline act on a night which will also see Mud , Boyzlife and East 17 entertain – as well as other bands, such as emerging Perth talents Longstay.

In a video posted this week, Alesha said:“I cannot wait to see everybody up in Perth for the Christmas Lights Switch-On. It’s going to be amazing!”

The Christmas Parade will depart from the top of the Old High Street, beside St Paul’s Church, at 5.30pm and will move along New Row, turn left into County Place and then continue onto South Street where it will head towards to River Tay.

This will cause some delays to journeys in the city at this time, and Perth and Kinross Council has asked residents to be aware of travel arrangements during the switch-on.

The festive event, which is taking place in the city centre of Saturday, November 18, will force a number of bus services to alter their routes.

Tay Street,will be fully closed from 6pm on Friday, November 17, until midnight on Sunday, November 19.

The number 7 (Scone) bus will be required to divert via Queen’s Bridge, Dundee Road, and Gowrie Street to resume the normal route at Bridgend. Passengers will be advised to make their way to South Street (Stop M).

Bus numbers 3, 11 and 12 (Kinnoull/ Gannochy/Scone) will be required also to divert via Queen’s Bridge, Dundee Road, and Gowrie Street to resume the normal route at Bridgend.

Passengers for these services should make their way to South Street (Stop O).

Meanwhile, number 12 (Hillend) buses will be required to be diverted via Charlotte Street, Atholl Street and Kinnoull Street. Passengers will be advised to make their way to Kinnoull Street (Stop H).

The Park and Ride will operate an extended timetable on Saturday, November 18, with journeys operating every 15 minutes until the last departure from Mill Street at 9pm.

On Sunday, November 19, service 301 journeys will operate every 15 minutes commencing from Broxden Park and Ride at 8.30am, with the last journey departing from Mill Street at 5.30pm.