West end set to sparkle as Christmas market and light switch on announced for this weekend
The nights are getting darker, you’ve looked out your scarf and Strictly is taking over your weekend, yes it’s that time already... The West End Christmas Lights Switch On is coming to town!
Article Source: Visit West End - Byres Road & Lanes
Last Updated: 20 November 2023 12:46
Mark Sunday 26th November in your diaries as this annual festive favourite is back.
From 12 midday, Vinicombe Street will be transformed into a winter wonderland with stalls and festive live musical performances from local bands, choirs and buskers.
Presenter and DJ Josie Smith will be joined by Bella Beatson, the mascot from the Beatson Cancer Charity, to light up the Christmas tree at 5.30pm.
Performers include talented vocalist Sabrina Mandulu and country band, Rose Swan & Rex Hopper.
Shoppers can browse the festive market for THE perfect gifts and enjoy delicious food and drinks.
Stallholders are Janet & John, Ziri, The Alchemy Experiment, Black Cat Alternative, Taste Spain, Hillhead Bookclub, Papyrus, Hairy Paws and Trios.
In Ruthven Lane, the kids can enjoy free face-painting provided by Fab ‘n’ Funky Faces. Let their imaginations run wild. Be a penguin, a reindeer or even the Grinch!
While you’re there, why not discover the many hidden gems in the surrounding streets, finishing at Ruthven Mews Arcade. From beautiful jewellery to antiques, you’ll find something for everyone in the surrounding shops. The whole of Byres Road will be bustling with stores offering festive offers and treats.
Maisie Hamilton, Beatson Cancer Charity’s community fundraising manager, said: “Beatson Cancer Charity is delighted to be working in partnership again with Visit West End, the Byres Road and Lanes Bid.
“Our mascot Bella Beatson will be making a star appearance to turn on the Christmas Lights and our fantastic team of volunteers will be doing collections throughout the day and selling Christmas cards.
“Thanks to the support from Visit West End, Beatson Cancer Charity can continue to provide vital funding to patient and family support services, plus a range of specialist posts including nursing, radiography, physics and research-based staff as well as additional staff training and development.”
Presenter and DJ, Josie Smith, said:“To my mind there’s no more vibrant and eclectic area within which to shop and socialise, than Glasgow’s West End.
I’m really looking forward to returning to host this year’s Christmas Tree Light Switch-On. We’ll be showcasing an exceptional variety of talented local music acts on the main stage, ahead of counting down to illuminating the tree for 2023!
See you there!”
Crafted by the Byres Road and Lanes Business Improvement District, the organisation behind Visit West End, their Christmas tree light switch on is bringing together local businesses, festive fun, incredible gifts and entertainment to shine the fairy lights on what you can find locally this Christmas.
John Turner, Chair of the Byres Road & Lanes BID Company Ltd, said: "Goodness how time flies! I can't believe that it is time once again for the Vinicombe Street Christmas event, with music from local artists, market stalls from local businesses and the lighting up of the West End's Christmas tree at 5.30pm.
It is always a fantastic time, officially marking the start of the Festive season in the West End
So come along and join the fun, we look forward to seeing you there!"
Keep updated, on the stallholders, acts and performance times by following us on;
Facebook: VisitWestEndGlasgow
Instagram: @visitwestend
X: Visit_WestEnd
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Topgolf celebrating 25 years of fun with a week of deals and prizes
Topgolf's journey started in Watford at the turn of the millennium and has since grown into a global enterprise with more than 100 venues worldwide.
READ MORE
The Doddie Weir match ball delivery is voted Greatest Murrayfield Moment
Doddie Weir’s emotional match ball delivery at Murrayfield in 2017 has been voted the greatest moment in the stadium’s 100-year history, after thousands of fans took part in a nationwide poll.
READ MORE
Glasgow Fort unwraps festive celebrations
Christmas magic is set to return to Glasgow Fort on Thursday 20th November as the centre unveils its seasonal line-up!
READ MORE
Global fashion brand Stradivarius opens first Glasgow store at Silverburn
Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, opens Glasgow's first-ever Stradivarius store, further elevating its fashion offering.
READ MORE
Boney M ft Maizie and Newton Faulkner join Fun For Life Fest lineup
Boney M featuring Maizie Williams are set to co-headline the Fun For Life Fest on Saturday 16 May 2026, with Newton Faulkner also joining the line up.
READ MORE
Trafalgar Entertainment becomes official sponsor of Box Office Radio
Global live entertainment company – Trafalgar Entertainment – has become the official sponsor of Box Office Radio.
READ MORE
New book launches in Busby by local author, Marissa McCudden
Debut author, Marissa McCudden, has launched her new book, 'There's Lots of Different Types of Clever' with illustrator, Michael Spy on Amazon.
READ MORE
Much loved classic Scottish play, The Steamie, is set to return to venues in 2026
The Steamie has been scrubbed up ahead of making a return to theatres across the country next year as part of an exciting new chapter in its long-standing story in the theatre landscape.
READ MORE
Medea to tour Scotland in 2026
Bard in the Botanics will be launching their 25th Anniversary year with a Scotland-wide tour of their award-winning version of Medea, by Kathy McKean (after Euripides).
READ MORE
The Ivy Buchanan Street unveils festive set menu for 2025
From traditional Turkey Ballotine to a tangy Tamarind Beetroot & Endive Salad the festive set menu brings the best of festive flavours, reimagined by The Ivy across two or three courses.
READ MORE
Glasgow will shine bright this Christmas with a new city centre lighting trail
Glasgow's Christmas lights are a much-loved tradition, and this year they will shine brighter than ever with a brand-new Christmas lighting trail set to illuminate the city centre from 20 November!
READ MORE
KOCHCHI expands to Glasgow, bringing Sri Lankan heat to the West End
The West End will welcome KOCHCHI, the award-winning Sri Lankan street food brand, as it opens its first standalone restaurant in the former The Hanoi Bike Shop on Ruthven Lane.
READ MORE
Imagine Theatre prepares for an exciting season of pantomimes across Scotland
Imagine Theatre proudly presents a spectacular lineup of family pantomimes across Scotland bursting with laughter, music, sparkle, and dance starring some of Scotland's best-loved entertainers!
READ MORE
Marti Pellow stars as Scrooge in a major new musical production coming to Glasgow in 2026
The pop prince and former frontman of Wet Wet Wet realises his life-long dream of bringing the iconic Christmas Carol character to life on a major stage!
READ MORE
Behind the Beans: Cast of Pavilion Panto, Jock and the Beanstalk, visit the oldest sweet shop in Glasgow
The cast of much-anticipated Pavilion panto Jock & the Beanstalk were spotted out and about at the Barras this afternoon, with a visit to Glickman's to sample their famous jelly beans!
READ MORE
Step into the magic at Dobbies Garden Centres
Dobbies Garden Centres has a fantastic line up of Santa’s Grotto and Quiet Grotto experiences, with an exciting North Pole adventure inspired theme, running from 23rd November - 24th December.
READ MORE
Tesla Cybertruck lands at Silverburn... come and see the future
Glasgow EV enthusiasts are in for a treat this week as the famous Tesla Cybertruck has arrived at Silverburn, Scotland’s leading retail and leisure destination.
READ MORE
Scottish Ensemble announce projects for Spring and Summer 2026
Scottish Ensemble, a pioneering collective of musicians championing music for strings, announces its series of events for Spring/Summer 2026.
READ MORE
Glasgow Film Festival reveals first titles for 2026
Scotland's biggest film festival has confirmed its highly anticipated Retrospective Programme, which gives audiences the chance to catch classic films back on the big screen for free.
READ MORE
Sir Billy Connolly award applications open for Glasgow International Comedy Festival 2026
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has opened applications for its prestigious Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award with acts, venues and staff in 2026's festival encouraged to apply now.
READ MORE
Flight Club Launches BRAND NEW Game Inspired by a Party Classic
This week, Flight Club, the lively cocktail and Social Darts bar, is launching a brand-new game, available to play in all venues for the first time on Friday, 14th November.
READ MORE
SEC Glasgow at 40: Four decades of creating incredible
For four decades the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) has stood at the centre of Scotland’s cultural life, attracting world-class shows, artists, major events and conferences to Glasgow.
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is turning up the Christmas cheer with its first ever festive Supermarket Sweep
Aldi Scotland is giving one lucky customer the chance to take part in a seasonal edition of its popular shopping challenge, all while raising vital funds for Children's Hospices Across Scotland.
READ MORE
Glasgow Taxis Cup returns for its 21st year in 2026
Now in its twenty-first year, Glasgow Taxis Cup, will see more than 700 student athletes from Glasgow Caledonian, Strathclyde, and Glasgow universities competing across 17+ sports in 21+ events!
READ MORE
Hidden treasures of Murrayfield
Murrayfield heritage lead Laura Tinch reveals hidden collection of 5,000 artefacts charting a century of Scottish rugby history.
READ MORE
Christmas Songbook to take festive cheer to Glasgow
Scotland's iconic Christmas Songbook is back for 2025, promising to sprinkle even more festive magic in Glasgow this December!
READ MORE
Breaking the Silence Gig: Last Minute Tickets available for Oran Mor
Last-minute tickets are still available for JJ “Jinky” Gilmour’s Breaking the Silence show at Oran Mor on Thursday 27th November.
READ MORE
Santa clocks in early: Scotland shift heroes among 30,000 invited to claim free festive meal
Greene King pubs is raising the spirits of Scotland's hardest workers this festive season, hosting 'The Big Christmas Shift' across 700 pubs nationwide, giving away 30,000 meals on Monday 1st December
READ MORE
Festive days out to make the most of the season
From wreath-making workshops through to New Year’s Eve street parties, here's a rounded up some of the best events to help make the most of the season with loved ones in a fun and creative way.
READ MORE
SAY Award winner announced as Kai Reesu
Kai Reesu’s ‘KOMPROMAT vol.i’ was tonight announced as winner of The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award, as the country’s national music prize Ceremony took place in Dundee’s Caird Hall.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links