Get set to party as Fair City switch-on sparks Christmas countdown
Perth’s festive season is set to kick-off in fine style this weekend with what’s been billed as one of the biggest parties the area has ever seen.
This year’s highly-anticipated Christmas lights switch-on takes place on Saturday, November 18, and will feature a fantastic line-up of acts making their way to the Fair City.
Some of the renowned names on the Main Stage bill – which will be opened by talented Perth band Longstay – include former Mis-Teeq member and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, veteran rockers MUD, emerging English act The Hunna, ‘Nineties favourites East 17, who’ve recruited the help of Robbie Craig from UK garage act Artful Dodger to lend a hand, and Westlife/ Boyzone hybrid ‘Boyzlife’.
Away from the Main Stage, there will be plenty of local faces on the Community Stage as wellrehearsed representatives from a whole host of the city’s dance and performing arts groups showcase their skills.
Letham Majorettes, Inspire Studios, Fair City Baton Twirlers, Julie Young Dance Studio, Dance Bank and JGN Dance Attic are getting ready to wow what’s set to be a bumper crowd at various times during the action-packed afternoon.
Other performances on the Community Stage include opener singer/songwriter Neil McLaren and popular band Cover Daddy, from Dundee, as well as Tullochbased group The Sandemans – who will bring the stage’s activities to a close with a set starting at 5pm.
And organisers have ensured that plenty of family-friendly entertainment has been included on the programme for younger ones heading to the switch-on in the form of the Children’s Stage.
Opened by Cobblers the Clown at noon, highlights include Christmas Showtime, Sam’s Little Big Adventures and Ariana – a tribute artist inspired by American pop star Ariana Grande.
Complementing the main bulk of the entertainment, special guests have been drafted in from traditionally busy festive schedules to help create a typically magical atmosphere in the city centre on the day.
The Cairngorms Reindeer Herd will be no doubt be a popular sight on George Street as they prepare to take part in the annual Christmas parade. There will be further animal magic in the form of miniature donkeys Sam, Jack, Logan and Winston from Ayleswood Rare Breeds.
The parade – which signals the countdown the switching-on of the Christmas lights – musters at Thimblerow for 4.30pm before heading through the Fair City.
It 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 on to South Street where it will head towards to River Tay.
That sets the scene for the spectacular switch-on and fireworks display from 6.15pm onwards.
Other activities taking place throughout the day include the Perth Chocolate and Gin Festival, which runs from 9am-5pm on Saturday and also runs over a shorter period the following day, and the popular Horsecross Plaza ice rink. Skating runs from noon-10pm on Friday, November 17; 10am-10pm on Saturday, November 18, and noon-10pm on Sunday, November 19. Sessions start on the hour and run for 45 minutes, with the last entry 9pm. The cost is £6 per person, which includes skate hire.
Meanwhile, Perth Theatre will also be open on Saturday to allow curious arts-lovers from the local region and further afield to explore the auditorium and public spaces, or enjoy some tasty refreshments at the cafe and bar at the same time as lapping up the festive celebrations.
• An enquiries line has been set up to deal with any issues on the day. It will be staffed from 9am-10pm on Saturday. For more information, call 01738 474510.