Thousands turn out for the annual Christmas Lights Switch On event in Paisley!

More than 21,000 people headed to Paisley town centre to mark the beginning of the festive season at the town's annual Christmas Lights Switch-On event.

Families enjoyed a full day of free, Christmas-themed fun, with Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron carrying out the big switch on alongside Santa and X Factor stars, Reggie ‘N’ Bollie.

They were helped by 11-year-old Taylor McPherson, from St Peter’s Primary School, who won the annual Christmas card design competition.

Earlier in the day the gathered crowds marvelled as the 300-strong parade, led by Santa himself, wound its way through the streets featuring festive floats, costumed characters and choreographed displays from local community groups and professional performers.

A new addition to this year’s event – the Winter Roller Disco – proved a firm favourite with visitors with hundreds taking a spin on the rink before the day was through.

The live stage offered plenty of music and entertainment with performances from; Funbox, The Swinging Santas, Nickajack Men and this year’s stage headliners, Reggie ‘N’ Bollie. A number of local community and school choirs also delighted visitors with classic carol performances in Paisley Abbey to help make everyone feel merry and bright.

Kids were given the chance to give their wish lists to Santa in his Grotto in The Piazza Shopping Centre. The Coats venue also offered plenty of activities to keep the little ones entertained. There was also a funfair, Creative Craft Trail around the town’s local cafes and businesses and Crafty Christmas Market for people to do a little Christmas shopping.

This year the lights extend to the top of the High Street leading to a giant illuminated Christmas bauble in the grounds of the Coats venue, delivered in partnership with Paisley First. The bauble will be in place throughout the festive season, offering the perfect festive selfie spot.

Renfrewshire’s Provost, Lorraine Cameron said: “The Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On is one of the big events in the winter calendar and this year didn’t disappoint with a packed programme with something for everyone.

“It was a great way to celebrate the start of the festive season and it was wonderful to see so many families and young people coming into the town to take part in the day.

“I’d like to take this chance to wish everyone a peaceful and Merry Christmas when it comes.”

The festive fun continues across Renfrewshire with Christmas Lights Switch-Ons in Renfrew on Saturday, 23 November and Johnstone on Saturday, 30 November.

Paisley First’s WinterFest also opens in the town centre on 23 November and runs daily until December 30, except for Christmas Day and is sure to provide even more opportunities for people to spend local.

Renfrew Christmas Lights Switch On

23rd November 2019

Renfrew Town Centre

Head into Renfrew on Saturday 23rd November for a day of festive fun for all the family at the Christmas Lights Switch On!
Event information

Johnstone Christmas Lights Switch On

30th November 2019

Johnstone Town Centre

Get down to Houston Square in Johnstone on Saturday 30th November for a day of festive fun for the whole family!
Event information

Paisley First WinterFest

23rd November - 30th December 2019

Paisley Town Centre

Paisley First's five week Christmas spectacular, WinterFest is returning to the streets of Paisley town centre this festive season!
Event information

Latest Local News

VisitScotland launches new Sketching Scotland series

VisitScotland has come up with a new way to draw attention to some of the country’s most iconic sights!

Last Updated: 2nd July 2020

Culzean Country Park is reopening on Monday 6th July

Culzean Country Park is set to reopen next week and the team are advising visitors to pre-book their admission online in advance.

Last Updated: 1st July 2020

Paisley Museum receives major award from the Wolfson Foundation

The Wolfson Foundation has announced Paisley Museum will receive £200,000 in capital funding towards its transformation into a world-class cultural destination.

Last Updated: 1st July 2020

Scottish Album of the Year Award goes digital

The Scottish Album of the Year Award is calling on music fans, artists and labels to submit eligible albums to be in the running for Scotland's pre-eminent music prize!

Last Updated: 1st July 2020

Fines issued as Team Up to Clean Up volunteers catch fly tippers in the act

Local volunteers from Renfrewshire's award-winning Team Up to Clean Up campaign have caught fly tippers red-handed as they look to protect the local environment.

Last Updated: 30th June 2020

Annual Paisley festival gets ready for digital debut!

This weekend marks the digital debut of Paisley's annual Sma' Shot Day celebrations as a series of virtual events and workshops will take place to mark this important date in the town's calendar.

Last Updated: 29th June 2020

Love Local, Love Paisley!

Paisley First has launched a new shop local campaign as businesses start to reopen from the COVID-19 lockdown.

Last Updated: 28th June 2020

Fans to relive festival highlights with a special TRNSMT takeover on BBC Scotland

Highlights from some of the most iconic performances from previous years will be broadcast for one night only on BBC Scotland and iPlayer, during what should have been the weekend of TRNSMT 2020!

Last Updated: 28th June 2020

itison announce Drive In Movies Summer (of lockdown)

itison confirm they will be returning to the stunning shores of Loch Lomond this July with Scotland's first socially distanced event, Drive In Movies Summer (of lockdown)!

Last Updated: 25th June 2020

Schools out for Summer with Clyde 1

Clyde 1 DJs, Callum Gallacher and Cassi, are celebrating the end of what has been an unusual school term with the ultimate Schools Out for Summer parties!

Last Updated: 25th June 2020

560 grassroots music venues, including 42 in Scotland, sign open letter to UK Government

42 grassroots music venues in Scotland sign the Music Venue Trust's open letter to the UK Government highlighting the need for an immediate financial support package to prevent venues closing.

Last Updated: 24th June 2020

National Trust for Scotland gardens and grounds get ready for visitors again

The National Trust for Scotland is preparing to welcome visitors again at dozens of gardens and estates across the country, as lockdown continues to ease.

Last Updated: 23rd June 2020

VisitScotland and Glasgow Life unveil new programme of webinars for tourism businesses

Tourism businesses across the Glasgow City Region are being encouraged to sign up to a series of webinars to help support their re-opening and recovery from the current coronavirus pandemic.

Last Updated: 23rd June 2020

Quarriers is keeping people connected through outdoor art

Social care charity Quarriers is helping people to stay connected during coronavirus through outdoor art.

Last Updated: 17th June 2020

Win a pub experience for your garden!

Tennent’s Lager are asking you to share your Da's best dad joke for your chance to win a pub experience in your garden!

Last Updated: 17th June 2020

Creatives Funding Opportunity

Renfrewshire Leisure Arts Team invite submissions from creatives across all performance disciplines.

Last Updated: 11th June 2020

VisitScotland CEO welcomes provisional date of 15th July for reopening of tourism businesses

VisitScotland Chief Executive has welcomed today's announcement from Cabinet Secretary for Rural Economy and Tourism.

Last Updated: 10th June 2020

Cardwell has scone and opened a takeway!

The popular restaurant at Cardwell Garden Centre has re-opened for takeaway orders!

Last Updated: 10th June 2020

Scottish Charities working together during the pandemic

Two Scottish charities have teamed up to help some of the most vulnerable people in Glasgow, Edinburgh & Fife who are struggling to cope during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Last Updated: 10th June 2020

16k Dog Owners Remove over 24 MILLION pieces of litter

PAWS on PLASTIC invites dog owners to pick up 2 pieces of plastic while out walking their beloved hounds.

Last Updated: 10th June 2020

Library team join the fun playing video game

It's game-on for the team at Renfrewshire Libraries who are taking part in the Nintendo Animal Crossing New Horizons video game.

Last Updated: 9th June 2020

Tiny Revolutions Renfrewshire

Renfrewshire Leisure have teamed up with Fun Palaces to engage with communities and stimulate creativity across Renfrewshire!

Last Updated: 7th June 2020

Temporary road closures at rural beauty spots across Stirling

Temporary road closures will come into force at rural beauty spots across Stirling this weekend to protect communities.

Last Updated: 7th June 2020

Little Cards of Kindness

Residents receiving food and medicines from Renfrewshire Council will soon see little cards of kindness appear in their deliveries to help bring a little joy to their day.

Last Updated: 7th June 2020

Doors Open Days 2020 is going digital!

Doors Open Days, Scotland's biggest free festival of architecture, will present its largest ever digital offering this September!

Last Updated: 5th June 2020

Get ready to get SILLY!

It's almost time for this year's Summer Reading Challenge, and for 2020 it's all about funny books, happiness and having a laugh!

Last Updated: 4th June 2020

First Golfers at Barshaw

A father-and-son golf duo were first off the tee at Barshaw Golf Course when the course re-opened on Friday.

Last Updated: 4th June 2020

Renfrew on Film: The Renfrew Rhymer

A new film on the life of Walter McCorrisken – who called himself the World's Worst Poet – is being premiered on a recently-launched internet TV channel.

Last Updated: 2nd June 2020

Renfrewshire volunteers supporting their community

More than 60 volunteers have been working with staff from Renfrewshire Council and partners to support people in the community at this time.

Last Updated: 1st June 2020

Golf course and bowling greens reopen as lockdown measures ease

Renfrewshire Leisure has reopened a golf course and bowling greens after First Minister Nicola Sturgeon confirmed the first phase of easing Scotland’s coronavirus lockdown can begin.

Last Updated: 30th May 2020

Sponsored Links

Popular Events

Popular Venues