The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Pixie Lott confirmed for Perth’s ‘biggest ever’ Christmas party
Pop star will perform at lights switch-on as city hosts Winter Festival
Pop sensation Pixie Lott will be one of the performers for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on in Perth.
The All About Tonight singer was announced for the winter extravaganza a month after Perth and Kinross Council revealed X Factor winner James Arthur is to headline the event on Saturday November 17.
They will be joined by Catchphrase presenter Stephen Mulhern.
The free switch-on ceremony is the centrepiece of the city’s Winter Festival, which kicked off with Halloween activities last weekend.
Last year’s show, starring Alesha Dixon and 70s chart-toppers Mud, attracted a record crowd of nearly 80,000 and made nearly £2 million.
It is set to be even bigger this year, with three stages featuring performers including Perth/Dundee tribute band Last Orders and The Ex Men All Stars Band, made up of former members of the Animals, Herman’s Hermits, Clearwater, Creedence Revival and Eric Haycock’s The Hollies.
Murray Lyle, leader of Perth and Kinross Council, said: “Pixie Lott and James Arthur will help to bring the party soundtrack to Perth for the biggest Christmas party around.
“There really is something for everyone in Perth, so come and join us for the biggest Christmas party that you can’t afford to miss.”
Festivities will include Santa’s grotto, ice caves and ice sculpting, before a Christmas parade leading to the Tay Street switch-on at 6.15pm and a fireworks display over the River Tay.
The party will continue the following day with Perth Festive Feast, featuring the finale of the Great Perthshire Soup Competition and the Perth Chocolate and Gin Festival.
James Arthur, Stephen Mulhern and Provost Dennis Melloy will press the big red button to trigger the festive lights, followed by the fireworks display over the Tay.
There had been concerns that the council would charge for the event but this was ruled out earlier this year.
Winter Festival executive director Barbara Renton said at the time: “There is a delicate balance in terms of maintaining the number of people and introducing a charge. It is also about considering government arrangements about how we can do that.”
A poll taken by The Courier at the time found overwhelming resistance to the idea.
It used to be that a local councillor would flick a switch to herald the start of the Christmas season. Switch-on ceremonies, however, have come a long way in recent years.
Among the most glamorous and glitzy in Scotland is that enjoyed in Perth, where Pixie Lott will be 2018’s star turn.
The events are not cheap to stage, but can be credited with creating huge income streams at what is a tough time of year – here’s hoping for a whole Lott of fun.