Christmas lights switch on to kickstart festive celebrations in Glasgow
A joyous switch-on of the Christmas lights in George Square will signify the start of the festive season in Glasgow!
Article Source: Glasgow Life
Last Updated: 1 October 2024 5:37
Glasgow Loves Christmas is hosting the much-loved celebration on Sunday 17 November from 5-7pm, launching the city’s 2024 winter festivities.
People can apply for tickets to the free Christmas lights switch-on from Wednesday 2 October until Sunday 6 October on the Glasgow Life website. All details will be shared on the People Make Glasgow Facebook, Instagram, and X social media channels.
Clyde 1’s Bowie@Breakfast presenters George Bowie and Cassi Gillespie were quick to sign up again as hosts of this year’s spectacular, which remains a firm favourite on the duo’s presenting schedule.
Lucky ticket holders will be treated to a preview of the Pavilion’s hilarious panto Beauty and the Beastie, with cast members headlining a packed programme of merriment, including live music and sing-alongs. The event will be brought to a crescendo as the lights burst on, illuminating the Square, while the iconic City Chambers is bathed in a repeating 30 minute, state-of-the-art, lighting and projection show.
Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, said: “The nights may be getting darker, but they provide a stunning backdrop for Glasgow’s spectacular Christmas Lights. Our switching on ceremony is a firm favourite in our cultural calendar, marking the countdown to Christmas. Fairy lights and a beautiful projection show will illuminate the City Chambers every night from 17 November. Welcoming everyone into the heart of the city this festive season.”
George Bowie added: “We have been involved with Glasgow’s Christmas lights switch on in George Square for many years and we still absolutely love it. It’s by far, one of my festive highlights.”
Cassi Gillespie said: “I love the fact that Glasgow’s Christmas lights switch on is still as popular now as it ever was. Good luck to everyone in the ballot. I can’t wait to be part of it again for 2024.”
Glasgow’s Christmas lights switch-on symbolises the start of the countdown to Christmas for many in the city. With the fairy lights twinkling overhead people will return to George Square for the Blessing of the Crib, and to the city centre for other family favourites, including the Style Mile Christmas Carnival, Santa Dash, and Baby’s First Christmas.
There are pantos a plenty in Glasgow this winter, with the boy who never grew up swinging in for a chorus of ‘He’s behind you’ in Peter Pan and the Incredible Stinkerbell at The Tron (22 Nov – 5 Jan) and Peter Pan the High-Flying Panto Adventure at The Kings Theatre (23 Nov – 5 Jan). Rumpelstiltskin is the annual festive show at Platform (3 – 24 Dec) while shows like The Muppet Christmas Carol in Concert at the SEC Armadillo (2 Dec), and Scottish Ballet’s The Nutcracker at the Theatre Royal (6 - 30 Dec) also promise fantastic entertainment.
As the elves frantically try to finish all the toys for the big day, Glasgow Life and Hopscotch Theatre Company will tour Pinocchio across city community centres, bringing the mischievous puppet and his papa Geppetto to eager audiences from 28 November until 20 December.
Glasgow Royal Concert Hall will also help to get everyone into the festive spirit, starting with the Royal Scottish National Orchestra’s A Christmas Carol (1 Dec), and performances of popular Christmas movies with a full orchestra, The Holiday (9 Dec) and Home Alone (14 Dec) and Christmas at the Musicals (15 Dec).
For more details on Glasgow Loves Christmas visit www.glasgowlife.org.uk
And visit our dedicated Christmas events in Glasgow listings, for everything festive happening across the city!
Sponsored Links
Latest Glasgow News
Vue to host marvellous superhero season welcoming classic X Men films back to the big screen for 25th anniversary
Film fans, families and comic book enthusiasts are invited to rediscover the original big screen superhero team as a series of classic X-Men films return to the big screen at Vue this month.
READ MORE
Flight Club Glasgow unveils glorious summer cocktails
With the weather heating up, cocktail drinking season is upon us, and Flight Club Glasgow has just dropped a banger of a drinks list to crack through this summer!
READ MORE
Piping Live! festival and World Pipe Band Championships have officially launched for 2025!
Glasgow will hit the high notes this August as Scotland, the global home of piping, looks forward to the world's biggest week of bagpipes with the return of two iconic events!
READ MORE
Kids Fly FareFREE on new Loganair routes
Families can take advantage of Loganair's new Kids Fly Fare-FREE offer, allowing children aged 11 and under to travel without paying an airfare.
READ MORE
ICW Says Goodbye to the Home of Scottish Wrestling
ICW will bid farewell to the Asylum with emotional weekend of events next month.
READ MORE
One man show brings all the emotions to the Tron Theatre... as well as dogs!
Man's Best Friend brings Douglas Maxwell's award-winning combination of humour, emotion – and for the first time, dogs to the Tron Theatre!
READ MORE
Meatopia gives Glasgow a taste of what is to come and reveals full chef, and music, line up
Legendary fire-cooking festival Meatopia is coming to Scotland for the first time, taking over SWG3 Glasgow from 6th – 8th June.
READ MORE
Lorraine Kelly meets the Loch Ness Monster Milker delivering Nessie Nectar across the UK
IRN-BRU XTRA has launched a custom milk float delivery service bringing limited-edition Nessie Nectar straight from the shores of Loch Ness to doors across the UK.
READ MORE
Glasgow reports record breaking year for conference business
Glasgow's reputation as a leading national and international destination for conferences has been cemented by the latest statistics on the value of this important part of the city's economy.
READ MORE
Full casting announced for The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, coming to Glasgow in June
The King's Theatre Glasgow are pleased to share full casting of The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the publication of C.S. Lewis novel.
READ MORE
Safety and family time driving surge in adult swim lessons
Scottish adults are being encouraged to learn to swim this summer to boost water safety skills for the whole family.
READ MORE
Scottish TV Chef celebrates book launch with Glasgow pop up
Glasgow's cult fried chicken spot, Birds at Phillies of Shawlands, is proud to announce its first-ever collaboration and it's a special one.
READ MORE
Scottish rising star Brooke Combe announced as Lionel Richie tour support
Lionel Richie is proud to announce rising star Brooke Combe will be supporting him on the UK leg of his 'Say Hello To The Hits' tour, including at Glasgow's OVO Hydro.
READ MORE
New documentary tells the story of world record breaking Scottish brothers
A new documentary - now live on STV Player - tells the story of the Maclean Brothers and their self-confessed “piss poor” preparations the ocean adventure that lay ahead.
READ MORE
David Attenborough and Eurovision steal the spotlight at Vue venues in Scotland this month
Audiences are invited to travel the globe - both musically and visually - this May, as both David Attenborough and Eurovision head to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland.
READ MORE
Olivier Award nominated star announced as part of cast of The Bodyguard
Award-winning smash hit musical The Bodyguard will star international leading lady Sidonie Smith as Rachel Marron and Olivier Award nominee Adam Garcia as Frank Farmer when it comes to Glasgow!
READ MORE
Charity Super.Mkt marks 1 year milestone with longest serving location in Glasgow
The 'department store for second-hand style', Charity Super.Mkt, in Buchanan Galleries is celebrating one year this May, proudly marking its longest-running store to date.
READ MORE
The Royal Yacht Britannia Exhibition and Retail Experience are shipshape and ready to welcome visitors
2025 marks the next chapter in The Royal Yacht Britannia Trust’s legacy with the opening of a brand-new, world-class visitor centre with exhibition and retail experience.
READ MORE
Comedy giants get The Last Laugh in new show coming to Glasgow following EdFringe and West End runs
The Last Laugh will arrive at Glasgow's Theatre Royal this summer following a sell-out run at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe!
READ MORE
Pavilion Festival rounds off biggest event yet with Happy Mondays and STREETrave Classical
Pavilion Festival has rounded off its biggest ever event with over 16,000 music fans enjoying three days of non-stop live music and feel good vibes on Ayr’s iconic Low Green.
READ MORE
Cineworld announces first ever 4DX Family Day
For one day only, families can experience Moana, Paddington, and Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone in immersive 4DX at all 34 Cineworld 4DX screens nationwide.
READ MORE
Daniel Casey to star as Inspector Barnaby in Scottish premiere of Midsomer Murders
Original cast member of Midsomer Murders, Daniel Casey, joins new stage adaptation making its Scottish premiere at the Theatre Royal Glasgow in February.
READ MORE
Strictly champ Ore Oduba joins Picture You Dead ahead of performances at the Theatre Royal Glasgow
See the bestselling DSI Roy Grace book by Peter James on stage for the first time at Glasgow's Theatre Royal from Tuesday 10th to Saturday 14th June.
READ MORE
Brand new show Something About Lennon opens UK tour this month with Scottish dates
Celebration of the iconic late Beatle's life and music will be performed at 26 venues nationwide.
READ MORE
Celebrate Fathers Day in Style with Dobbies Sunday Lunch and Planting Experience
This June, Dobbies Garden Centres is presenting a brand-new way to celebrate Father’s Day, combining a hearty Sunday roast with a hands-on grow-your-own herb planting workshop.
READ MORE
Blue Light Awards Scotland to honour emergency services heroes
Nominations for the Blue Light Awards Scotland, recognising the courage, commitment and community spirit of our Blue Light Services, are now open.
READ MORE
Funding awarded to seven projects for tree planting in cities and towns across Scotland
The Urban Forestry Programme is supporting projects in urban areas to help more people experience the benefits of trees.
READ MORE
Rory McIlroy Confirmed for Genesis Scottish Open
Newly-crowned Masters Tournament champion Rory McIlroy is set to compete for a second Genesis Scottish Open title!
READ MORE
Fat Hippo fans prepare for the ultimate CheezHIT
Roll up your sleeves and get stuck in as Cheez-It® and Fat Hippo announce the ultimate collaboration.
READ MORE
Holding Back The Years: 40 Years of Simply Red in cinemas May 15
To celebrate 40 years of legendary music, Simply Red are releasing their concert film 'Holding Back the Years: 40 Years of Simply Red, Live in Santiago' on the big screen.
READ MORESponsored Links
Sponsored Links