The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Courier Country Christmas light switch-ons
Various venues, throughout November and December
The Christmas lights of Courier Country will be set aglow once more as the area’s many switch-on events get underway this week. From large-scale entertainment to crowd-funded community events, the streets of cities, towns and villages are set to twinkle to mark the festive countdown.
● Tomorrow sees Perth’s celebration beginning at noon. The star-studded event includes music, reindeer and a Christmas parade led by Santa. The main event will be the lights switch-on at 6.15pm when singer and television star Alesha Dixon leads the countdown to illuminate the Fair City.
● Dundee’s Light Nights event will take place on November 24. The vibrant evening ceremony is at the centre of a packed weekend programme of events including a twinkling torchlight procession, pop-up Christmas market, silent movie screening with live music, fireworks and a chance to take a family selfie with Pingoo the giant penguin at Slessor Garden’s Christmas Market.
● In Angus, Carnoustie will celebrate on November 26 with lights, tree, Santa and lots of entertainment from 5pm until 8pm. Monifieth’s event will take place on November 29 from 6pm to 8pm at Reform Street car park.
In Forfar on November 30, the lights will go on at The Cross and Santa, Mrs Claus and the elves will be there along with Chase and Skye from Paw Patrol.
● Arbroath’s event will take place in Kirk Square on December 1 between 6pm and 8pm, with Santa arriving at 7.30pm
● In Fife, Dunfermline is putting on a day-long event tomorrow which culminates in a colourful parade and Santa switching on the lights at 5.30pm.
● Cupar is also holding a day-long event to mark the lighting of the lights on November 25 with a market in the Corn Exchange from 10am.
● Kirkcaldy will have its lantern parade on November 25. It begins at 4.30pm outside the Mercat Shopping Centre’s main doors on the High Street – and finishes in the Town Square. Fireworks and lights will follow.
● In Glenrothes, the Kingdom Shopping Centre will host Glenrothes Amateur Musical Association’s pantomime Sleeping Beauty on November 26 at 2pm. The free preticketed show will incorporate the light switch on into the performance.
● St Andrews will celebrate the coming of the season on December 1 with a light switch-on event centred round South Street.
There will be carols from the school choir of St Leonards and the illuminations will be displayed around 6.30pm followed by Beating the Retreat music by City of St Andrews Pipe Band by Holy Trinity Church.