ADD AN EVENT LISTING

Renfrew and Johnstone set to get festive as Christmas arrives in Renfrewshire

Renfrew and Johnstone will officially mark the start of the festive season as the Christmas lights in each town are due to be switched on in the coming weeks.

Renfrew and Johnstone set to get festive as Christmas arrives in Renfrewshire

Article Source: Renfrewshire Council
Last Updated: 21 November 2023 12:02

In Renfrew the town’s Robertson Park will host a festive day out for all the family from 12 noon on Saturday 25 November and there’s a sleigh-load of free activities on offer to keep even the littlest elf entertained.

There will be live stage performances from local acts throughout the day, a family funfair in the park, and you can follow our Christmas tree trail to meet Santa in his Grotto and share your Christmas wish lists.

There will be plenty of workshops to get involved in, including Christmas arts and crafts, and there will be a Christmas Market selling seasonal fare.

Renfrewshire Toy Bank will also be in the park until 2.30pm, accepting donations for children across Renfrewshire this festive season.

The day will culminate with the traditional Renfrew Burgh Band carol concert, which will take place in the McMaster Centre at 3.30pm, and a light switch-on moment in the park at 5.00pm with Depute Provost Cathy McEwan and Renfrew’s Christmas Card competition winner.

It’s Johnstone’s turn on Saturday 2 December and Houstoun Square will be transformed into a winter wonderland with a variety of entertainment on offer.

There’ll be entertainment in the bandstand from 1pm with Johnstone Sound and local acts performing live throughout the day.

Santa will be in town to meet the children of Johnstone and discover what they are hoping to find in their stockings this year. You can find him inside his grotto.

Don’t forget to visit the Christmas market – hosted by St Vincent’s Hospice – and get a start on some of your Christmas shopping.

There are activities for all ages with a funfair on site in Houstoun Square and free children’s activities and film showings will be running throughout the day in Station Seven – chosen by the community as part of the #YouDecideJohnstone pilot project.

Over 600 local residents voted as part of #YouDecideJohnstone for activities they’d like to see as part of the event, also choosing free face painting, themed street entertainers to get everyone in the holiday spirit and a giant snow globe for those perfect family photos – so make sure to bring your phones and cameras along to capture the moment.

At 5pm the community will come together at the bandstand as Provost Lorraine Cameron and Johnstone’s Christmas Card competition winner light up Johnstone for the Christmas period.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “I can’t wait to see everyone out celebrating the festive season this year.

“Switching the lights on is always a highlight of my year and I am excited to once again be able to give local children the opportunity to take part in this special moment through my Christmas Card Competition.

“There’s always a great atmosphere in our communities on the day as everyone gets in to the Christmas spirit, and with so much to do in both Renfrew and Johnstone this year it’s a fantastic day out for the whole family.”


Research shows around 70p from every pound spent in the local area stays in the local area and Renfrewshire Council are encouraging visitors to the Christmas events to take part in the Spend Local campaign and support the wide range of businesses on offer in Renfrew and Johnstone town centres.

The council, in partnership with Scotland Loves Local, is giving away Renfrewshire gift cards worth £250 each to 12 lucky winners across the area.

To enter the competition, all you need to do is complete the online entry form or pick up and complete a competition entry postcard at one of our events.

The Renfrewshire Gift Card is easy-to-use and makes sure your money is spent locally – supporting local businesses with every purchase.

Entries to the competition close at 12 noon on Friday 15 December with Renfrewshire’s Provost, Lorraine Cameron, drawing the winners at random on Monday 18 December.

To find out more visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/spendlocal

Sponsored Links

Latest Renfrewshire News

Capturing Time: Paisley calendars blend nostalgia and artistry

Capturing Time: Paisley calendars blend nostalgia and artistry

Paisley Calendars have proudly unveiled a collection of four distinctive calendars that not only celebrate the picturesque charm of Paisley but also encapsulate its rich history.

READ MORE
FREE Festive Fun with the Christmas Angels and Elves Trail in Paisley

FREE Festive Fun with the Christmas Angels and Elves Trail in Paisley

Paisley First's Christmas Angels and Elves Trail is coming to Paisley town centre, another great way to get the whole family into the festive spirit!

READ MORE
Help your Poinsettia flourish through the festive period with Dobbies

Help your Poinsettia flourish through the festive period with Dobbies

Dobbies has announced its free Grow How session for December, where customers can immerse themselves in the Christmas spirit and learn how to look after Poinsettias through the festive season.

READ MORE
Communities and campaigners march to Reclaim the Night

Communities and campaigners march to Reclaim the Night

Hundreds of people marched through Paisley town centre to call for an end to violence against women and gender-based violence.

READ MORE
Big Christmas Weekends in Paisley get underway with the Small Business Saturday Christmas Market

Big Christmas Weekends in Paisley get underway with the Small Business Saturday Christmas Market

Paisley First have got everything you need to get into the festive spirit with fun for all the family and a host of free activities and entertainment, all part of Paisley's Big Christmas Weekends!

READ MORE
Aldi to sell freshly cut Scottish grown Nordmann Fir Christmas trees for under twenty pounds

Aldi to sell freshly cut Scottish grown Nordmann Fir Christmas trees for under twenty pounds

Aldi Scotland is ensuring its customers don't need to splurge on their décor this festive season, as it announces the return of its freshly cut Nordmann Fir trees starting from just £16.99.

READ MORE
Renfrew lights up for Christmas

Renfrew lights up for Christmas

Renfrew's Robertson Park was a hub of festive activity on Saturday as the Christmas lights in the town were switched on.

READ MORE
The Leith Collective launches Christmas tree and festive food exchange 2023

The Leith Collective launches Christmas tree and festive food exchange 2023

Locals urged to help families facing sacrifices and shortages this Christmas by donating decorations and treats.

READ MORE
Primary School & Early Years Centre team up with The Cairnhill Group to open new countryside path network

Primary School & Early Years Centre team up with The Cairnhill Group to open new countryside path network

A new path network has been created on the Dalquharran estate in Dailly, South Ayrshire, making the area more welcoming for walkers and outdoor enthusiasts.

READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is back... bigger and better!

Loch Lomond Shores Christmas Festival is back... bigger and better!

Loch Lomond Shores is hosting its fantastic FREE Christmas festival December 2nd & 3rd bringing family festive cheer to visitors looking for a great day out to get them in that festive frame of mind!

READ MORE
New Paisley Central Library set to open in the High Street

New Paisley Central Library set to open in the High Street

Paisley is turning the page on the next chapter of its regeneration with the opening of a new central library facility in the middle of the town's High Street.

READ MORE
Glasgow Clan stars launch Christmas charity single

Glasgow Clan stars launch Christmas charity single

The Glasgow Clan has scored a first by releasing a Christmas charity single!

READ MORE
Dobbies welcomes donations for Cash for Kids gift drive

Dobbies welcomes donations for Cash for Kids gift drive

Dobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is announcing a collaboration with grant-giving charity, Cash for Kids, to give children in need a gift this Christmas.

READ MORE
Pioneering project captures stories of LGBTQ+ youth

Pioneering project captures stories of LGBTQ+ youth

LGBTQ+ young people across Scotland have lent their voices to a first-of-its-kind social history project that will preserve their experiences, stories and hopes for the future.

READ MORE
Paisley Book Festival set to bring literary stars to stunning new cultural venues in 2024

Paisley Book Festival set to bring literary stars to stunning new cultural venues in 2024

Paisley Book Festival is set to return next year bringing the cream of the literary crop to the town for the re-imagined event.

READ MORE
Quarriers Festival of Choirs returns to  Glasgow Shopping Centres

Quarriers Festival of Choirs returns to Glasgow Shopping Centres

If your Christmas spirit needs a lift during a day of intense shopping, take time out from your purchasing mission to enjoy the collective voices of Quarriers Festival of Choirs.

READ MORE
Renfrew and Johnstone set to get festive as Christmas arrives in Renfrewshire

Renfrew and Johnstone set to get festive as Christmas arrives in Renfrewshire

Renfrew and Johnstone will officially mark the start of the festive season as the Christmas lights in each town are due to be switched on in the coming weeks.

READ MORE
Paisley soft play launches exciting Christmas programme

Paisley soft play launches exciting Christmas programme

Furry Murry's in Paisley has launched their first ever Christmas Programme full of events for families this festive season.

READ MORE
Santa arrives with festive cheer at Dobbies

Santa arrives with festive cheer at Dobbies

Dobbies, the UK’s leading garden centre, is kickstarting the holiday season with Santa's Arrival on Thursday 23 November.

READ MORE
Social Bite reveals Nest House for new villages and encourages the public to give the gift of home this Christmas

Social Bite reveals Nest House for new villages and encourages the public to give the gift of home this Christmas

Leading homelessness charity, Social Bite, has unveiled its new 'Nest House' prototype, as part of the launch of its fourth annual Festival of Kindness.

READ MORE
Loch Lomond Shores announces night time festive shopping fun

Loch Lomond Shores announces night time festive shopping fun

Late night store opening with night market, exclusive prize draw, family photography & more!

READ MORE
Support local businesses this Christmas season with festive giveaway

Support local businesses this Christmas season with festive giveaway

Renfrewshire residents are being encouraged to enter a prize draw to be in with a chance to win gift vouchers to spend in participating local businesses – just in time for Christmas.

READ MORE
High Five as Paws on Plastic hits Five

High Five as Paws on Plastic hits Five

'PAWS ON PLASTIC' turns FIVE on 20th November and is asking dog owners to not only pick a couple of pieces of LITTER while walking their dogs, and also post a beautiful photo on their social media.

READ MORE
OneRen launches fabulous Winter Programme to bring festive cheer for all

OneRen launches fabulous Winter Programme to bring festive cheer for all

It's the most wonderful time of the year and OneRen has launched it's fabulous new Winter Programme, which promises festive fun and cheer for the people of Renfrewshire and beyond.

READ MORE
Scottish wrestling brand takes its final bow

Scottish wrestling brand takes its final bow

Insane Championship Wrestling (ICW), a revolutionary name in the world of professional wrestling, has announced a bittersweet farewell to its iconic Fight Club brand.

READ MORE
Renfrewshire falls silent to pay respect to the Armed Forces

Renfrewshire falls silent to pay respect to the Armed Forces

Renfrewshire has paid tribute to the Armed Forces as residents attended services across the area to mark Remembrance Sunday.

READ MORE
Nominees unveiled for 2023 Scottish Jazz Awards as public vote opens

Nominees unveiled for 2023 Scottish Jazz Awards as public vote opens

A talented roster of nominees has been unveiled for the highly anticipated 2023 Scottish Jazz Awards with the public vote now open.

READ MORE
The Book Week Scotland adventure begins in Glasgow

The Book Week Scotland adventure begins in Glasgow

One Scot will find a voucher for a year's worth of books in one of this year's free Book Week Scotland books, which feature a story from a Glasgow writer,

READ MORE
SOS: New campaign launched to save Scottish hospitality

SOS: New campaign launched to save Scottish hospitality

The Scottish Hospitality Group has launched a new campaign, warning the Scottish Government that there is just five weeks to save the Scottish hospitality industry.

READ MORE
Praised Renfrewshire Winter Connections programme returns for a second year

Praised Renfrewshire Winter Connections programme returns for a second year

The much-valued Renfrewshire-wide Winter Connections programme has returned with a brand-new programme to help connect people in their communities this winter.

READ MORE

Sponsored Links

Sponsored Links

Go Radio | Number 1 for Glasgow & The West - Listen on DAB, Online or on your Smart Speaker, just say "Launch Go Radio"

Popular Events

The MOD All Dayer
The Bungalow are hosting a MOD All Dayer on Saturday 3rd February featuring live music from The Players, Bits & Pieces, The M65's, The Substitutes and SHOUT!
John Bishop: Back At It
Comedy superstar John Bishop is getting Back At It – doing what he does best - with a new UK stand-up tour for 2024 and brings it to Paisley Town Hall on Wednesday 18th September!
Paisley’s Festive Funfair
Whether you're an adventurous thrill-seeker or prefer a more relaxed experience, a family with kids or young at heart, Paisley's Festive Funfair has you covered!
Paisley Model Railway Show
Renfrewshire Model Railway Club will be staging their annual exhibition at The Art Department at The Paisley Centre, for a second year on Saturday 2nd and Sunday 3rd December!
Jack And The Beanstalk
Fe-fi-fo-fum, a giant of a panto comes to Johnstone when Johnstone Phoenix bring their re-telling of Jack and the Beanstalk to the Town Hall!

Popular Venues

Beacon Arts Centre Braehead Arena Johnstone Town Hall Paisley Arts Centre RocknRollas Paisley The Bungalow Paisley