The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Santa race, magic and ho-ho-whole lot of fun at festive spectacular
Revellers in Perth are set to enjoy more festive fun this weekend. Magic shows, music, dancing and the annual Santa Run all take place during the Magical Christmas Weekend.
It is the latest part of Perth Winter Festival and marks the final weekend of activities before Christmas.
Locals have already enjoyed a weekend of St Andrew’s Day celebrations and the Christmas lights switch-on featuring Cascada.
The 5km Santa Run begins at noon on Saturday and will see the city centre overrun with Father Christmases bringing some festive cheer.
The race will be started
by Deputy Provost Andrew Parrott at Horsecross Plaza, before runners meander through the city and across the Tay, before finishing at North Inch.
A host of magical acts from the Edinburgh Magical Festival will take to the Horsecross Plaza stage between noon and 5pm on Saturday.
Performers include Britain’s Got Talent finalist Kevin Quantum, five-time Scottish magic champion Woody the Magician, television star Chris De Rosa and his assistant Michelle, and former Singing Kettle performer Gary the Magic Man.
Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre and Alakazam Puppets will be set up in the Mill Street gazebo from noon until 5pm.
Performances will
include fairytales such as Forgotten Treasure, Red Riding Hood and The Ungrateful Crocodile.
The lantern and nativity parade, led by Perth and District Pipe Band, will start at St Ninian’s Cathedral before weaving through the city centre, ending at St John’s Kirk.
There is a drop-in lantern workshop at St Ninian’s at 1pm.
Carol singing and the nativity scene switch-on takes place at 4.50pm.
The parade begins at 5pm, with more carols at St John’s Kirk at 5.15pm.
On Sunday, Last Orders, Dario G, Pirrie Performing Acts, Robin Goodfellow, Julie Young Dance School and JGN Dance Attic will be on the Horsecross Plaza stage from noon.
At Mill Street, a wrestling
ring will be set up by community group Fair City Wrestling from 1-4.15pm. Time slots of 45 minutes will be set up throughout the afternoon to see the grappling close up.
Other highlights include magical puppet shows from Gordon’s Magic and Puppets at St Paul’s from noon to 4pm on Saturday.
Watch out for the stilt walkers throughout the city, with Gary the Music Man also doing sing-alongs on Sunday.
Vendors will offer a range of goods at festive stalls until 5pm on both days.
Small funfair rides are also available to enjoy throughout both days.
Revellers can get their groove on at the St Paul’s silent disco from 5-7pm on Saturday and Sunday.
Ghost tours taking place
at 8pm on both days are sold out, but there is a waiting list you can sign if there are any no-shows.
Mill Street, from M&S to Bridge Lane, will be shut from 7am until around 6pm both days. Parts of Scott Street will be closed from noon until 12.15pm for Saturday’s Santa Run.
North Methven Street, South Methven Street and Old High Street will be closed from 5pm until around 5.15pm to allow for Saturday’s parade.
Perth and Kinross Council said bus services may be delayed. Spectators travelling into the city can use the Stagecoach 7B bus service from Broxden park and ride to South Street.
The local authority says parking will be “readily available” at several city centre locations.