Its Big, Bright and Brimming With Stars!

Perth’s Christmas Light’s Switch On is this year’s must-see festive celebration with a fantastic line-up of sensational acts making their way to Fair City to kick start the season’s glorious Winter Festival.   

Taking you from afternoon into evening, Perth’s Christmas Light’s Switch-On has something for everyone - three big stages, entertainment-packed streets and an array of tasty treats and street food await you as we prepare to countdown to Christmas 2016.

And of course, all of this festive fun is wrapped around a bustling, compact City Centre packed full of fantastic independent shops, big name High Street brands and an unrivalled choice of restaurants, eateries and bars.  Make sure you’re diary is marked for November 19th in Perth.

Parking – There are many options for Parking in Perth; from the Park & Ride on the city’s outskirts to city centre bays,  costs start as low as £4 for 8 hours. MORE >>> 

Stay The Night – With the Christmas Light Switch On on 19^th and Perth’s Big Community Day of Culture on the 20^th, why not make a weekend of it and stay the night?  From cheap and cheerful nights in well-known chains, to four-star boutique hotels, self-catering apartments and quality B&Bs, Perth has an endless choice of accommodation within easy walking distance of all the festive fun!

Lighting Up Christmas For All
From on-trend teenage fashionistas to darling festive fairies, busy mums & dads to fun-loving groups of pals, Perth’s 2016 Christmas Lights Switch On is guaranteed to dazzle and delight everyone. Come early and get in some shopping, enjoy a festive cocktail or two or just wander the bustling, fun-filled streets as we countdown to the big name acts and the lights going on!

MAIN STAGE – FREE FOR EVERYONE
TAY STREET | 4pm – 8pm

• Fleur East – The dazzling runner up from X-Factor 2015, Fleur’s amazing vocals and huge stage presence will bring all uptown funk you can handle to Perth’s Switch On.
• Professor Green – One of Britain’s best known and prolific rappers and songwriters, Professor Green is bringing his own unique edge to the Christmas celebrations.
• Charlie Healy – Best known from his time in The X-Factor finalists boy band ‘The Risk’, Charlie is making a big name for himself as a solo artist.
• Half Eight - James, Olly, Hugh and Charlie are propelled for stardom as the next big boy band and bring a diverse and talented mix of vocals to the Perth party.
• Lorraine Crosby – The sensational female voice behind Meat Loaf’s acclaimed ‘I Would Do Anything For Love But I Won’t Do That’ Lorraine’s act is as big as her vocal range.
• Slade – Christmas wouldn’t be Christmas without the wonderful Slade and this year they’re on the Main Stage in Perth to get you in the Seasonal Spirit!
• 6.15pm – Provost Liz Grant Switches On The Lights!
• Wayne Hemmingway DJ Set - Wayne takes to the decks to play his House of Hemmingway tunes!

KING EDWARD STREET COMMUNITY STAGE – FREE FOR EVERONE | OUTSIDE THE CITY HALL

It's not really Christmas until you've had a dance-along in Mercat Cross! Come along and support our talented locals who'll be dazzling the crowds with their fantastic performances. A high energy mix of dance troops from across Perthshire, The Letham Majorettes, live bands and much, much more will be entertaining the crowds throughout the day and into early evening. 

Kayleigh Marie will also be playing. Kayleigh made it through to the final 12 girls at judges houses on the 2016 series of X Factor following her highly talked about version of "With You" from Ghost The Musical. To date Kayleigh's performance of this theatre favourite has ramped up in excess of 725,000 views. Kayleigh went on to perform Jessie J's "Who You Are" and the Motown smash hit "Ain't No Mountain High Enough".

HORSECROSS OUTDOOR ICE RINK & SILENT DISCO
Is there anything more Christmassy than an Outdoor Ice Rink?  Wrap up warm and get ready to glide your way into Christmas 2016 – figures of eight and pirouettes optional! If you prefer to keep your feet on solid ground than grab a set of headphones and get ready to dance the day away at The Silent Disco – inside an igloo of course!

PERTH’S CHRISTMAS PARADE
5.30PM – 6pm Starting at Thimblerow, arriving at Speygate
Cameras and waving arms at the ready, the annual City Centre Christmas Parade is here!  Led by Santa – of course! – Perth’s Christmas Parade will take you from Thimblerow, through High Street, Scott Street, South Street and into Speygate with a procession of festive favourites ready to join in the fun!  Will you spot the gorgeously talented Fleur East? Or catch a wink from the Pantomime Dame? Make sure to catch a pic and tag us on your social media!

STREET STYLE FUN

• Scotland’s Outdoor Festival of Chocolate – Perth’s annual Chocolate Festival is a veritable treat for the senses! With an mouth-watering mix of chocolatiers, chef demos and special menus and events in various venues our advice is to arrive hungry and sweet-toothed! MORE>>>
• St John Street’s Ice Sculptures – A mesmerising winter wonderland to captivate and entrance you, these stunning Ice Sculptures will charm and delight visitors of all ages.
• Shopping Galore – Perth City Centre is full of fantastic shops – from big High Street names to unique, quality independents this is gift giving heaven.

EAT, DRINK AND BE MERRY!

• Street Food & Takeaways – As well as the many fantastic takeaways – from curries to pies -Perth will welcome in a great choice of quality vendors for Switch On Day ensuring you can grab a quick bite to eat as you soak up the festive atmosphere. 
• Restaurants and Cafes – Renowned for its award-winning food and café culture, Perth boasts an outstanding choice of cafes, tearooms and restaurants. 
• Bars and Clubs – Come for the day, stay for the night! From gin bars to real ale, Perth has a bright, colourful bar scene with plenty of live music and dancing for thise party people looking to dance the night away.  Why not book into one of the city’s great hotels and stay for more on Sunday!

A Great Day Out For Families
What to do with kids in winter? It’s the age old question every parent asks!  Well, Perth’s Christmas Light Switch On should be at the top of your list with plenty of family-friendly fun designed to little ones happy, smiling and excited all day long.  And the best bit? Many of these are FREE activities. 

KIDS STAGE – FREE FOR EVERYONE
HORSECROSS PLAZA | 12pm – 5pm

A free stage of quality, children’s entertainment most suited to ages 3 – 14.

• The Justin Bieber Show - "Beliebers" will adore this fantastic tribute act! The moves, the voice and stage presence all go into making this act a must-see!
• Mini Mixx – This fabulous Little Mix Tribute Act bring the sensational chemistry of Leigh-Anne, Perrie, Jesy and Jade to Perth’s festive fun.  
• Basil Brush – The iconic TV phenomenon, Basil Brush’s legendary wit and humour is sure to put the BOOM BOOM into our fabulous Christmas Light Switch On.
• Princess Showtime - A truly magical show for all the family,  with classic well-loved songs, spectacular costumes and inspiring tales, the Princess Showtime experience is a fun and uplifting performance.
• Cobblers the Clown - Scotland’s favourite clown returns to Perth for the Winter Festival. Expect sheer madness on the Kids stage!

FAMILY FUN STREET STYLE
Various Locations from 12pm to late
Throughout the day and evening there’s so much going on in Perth’s

• The George Street Petting Zoo – Get up close and meet the reindeers, huskies and other animals.
• High Street Has All The Fun Of The Fair – Fairground rides for all ages – scream if you wanna go faster!
• Horsecross Ice Rink – A spin round the Outdoor Ice Rink is a guaranteed way to catch the Christmas Spirit. In Perth from 19^th to 27^th November

FEEDING THE KIDS – Various Venues and Locations

• Street Food vendors will be dotted throughout the city centre with a great choice food.
• Perth has an excellent choice of cafes and restaurants to suit all tastes and budgets. The majority of these offer superb children’s menus.
• With so much to do you may want to eat on the go and you’ll find Perth’s city centre has many quality takeaways offering everything from award-winning pies to fish & chips.

Extend your day in Perth to enjoy the Christmas Lights Switch On After party!

Commencing 7.30 pm on the following stages : 

King Edward Street Music Stage : East 17

Horsecross Plaza Stage : Abba Spectacular

Tay Street Main Stage : House of Hemingway Northern Soul

East 17 

Hear all of their biggest songs including Worldwide Number 1 hit Stay Another Day and many more, as well as an exclusive live performance of Woman Trouble.

In the 90’s East 17 was one of the biggest bands in the UK and sold 18 million records worldwide! They achieved 18 Top 20 Singles and 4 Top 10 Albums in the UK and had over 30 Number 1 singles in many different countries with the top hit “Stay Another Day”! which remained No.1 in the UK for five weeks and was the 1994 Christmas Number 1!

House of Hemingway Northern Soul

Wayne Hemmingway will be taking to the decks with some great tunes!

ABBA Spectacular

Spectacular  vocals  are  at  the  heart  of  this  Abba  tribute,  fully supported  by  world  class  musicians  in  a thoroughly  entertaining  Abba  show  that  will  send  you  home singing  all  the  classics  by  the  world’s  most  popular  pop  band  of  all  time. With  costume  changes,  dancing  and  audience  participation  this  Abba tribute  is  set  apart  from  the competition,  delivering  perfect  renditions  of  Mamma  mia,  Dancing  queen, Voulez  vous  and  all  the  biggest  hits  you  know  and  love. Experience  the  magic  of  Abba  with  this  in  demand  show  and  you  will  say  ‘  Thank  you  for  the  music’!

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