Record rush for tickets as thousands try their luck for big Christmas lights switch-on

ONE of Glasgow’s most popular events has received a record number of ticket requests this year.

The council’s culture and leisure arm said 90,923 unique requests were made asking for a total of 434,272 tickets for the Christmas lights switch-on in George Square – an increase of more than a third on 2018.

The number of entrants in the ballot for the illuminating ceremony on Sunday, November 17, would be enough to fill Hampden eight times over, according to Glasgow Life.

It comes as thousands of locals discovered whether they had been successful in securing entry to the event.

The number of tickets requested is equivalent to almost three quarters of the population of Glasgow, despite the capacity for the event being just 13,000.

People living within Glasgow City Council’s boundaries will receive 93% of the tickets.

Glasgow Life added just one in 23 applications to attend the ceremony was successful this year for those living in the city, while the chance for those outside was more than 280 to one.

Work is already under way to install the lights above the square.

Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Councillor Eva Bolander said: “The switch-on of Glasgow’s Christmas lights marks the start of the festive celebrations across the city.”

“We are planning a brilliant night for everyone lucky enough to get tickets for the event but there is plenty to see and do with your families, friends and loved ones right up until the big day.”

She added: “Christmas is a time for family and Glasgow has everything you’ll need to get in the festive spirit.”

In total more than 309,000 tickets were requested for the seasonal event in 2018, via more than 64,700 unique applications.