As the days grow shorter and the air turns crisp, a wave of festive anticipation is sweeping across Perth and Kinross, and indeed the wider Tayside and Fife regions. Communities are meticulously preparing for their annual Christmas light switch-on events, promising dazzling displays, joyous entertainment, and a sprinkle of seasonal magic for all ages.
These cherished gatherings mark the unofficial start of the holiday season, bringing neighbours, friends, and families together in a vibrant celebration of light and community spirit. From bustling city centres to charming village squares, each location is set to offer its unique blend of traditional festivities and modern attractions. Perth and Kinross: Festive Highlights
Our own region is at the heart of many enchanting events. The city of Perth itself is set to be transformed into a winter wonderland on *November 22*, with activities commencing at noon. The main stage in the city centre will host an array of performers, with television personality Stephen Mulhern taking on hosting duties. Musical acts, including the popular group Cascada, are scheduled to entertain the crowds from 2pm to 8pm. The highlight of the evening, the grand Christmas lights switch-on, will take place at the main stage at 6:15pm, illuminating Perth with a spectacular glow.
The village of Muthil will embrace the festive season on *November 22*, with celebrations kicking off at 1pm with a delightful children’s Christmas crafts activity session at the village hall. The switch-on ceremony will follow at 3pm, casting a warm glow over the community. The day’s festivities will culminate in a lively ceilidh, also held at the hall, from 7pm to 10pm, offering a wonderful opportunity for locals to dance the night away. Admission to this community event is free, with attendees encouraged to bring their own refreshments.
Kinross is preparing for its own sparkling event on *November 29*. A charming procession will set off from Montgomery Street car park at 6pm, winding its way towards Green’s car park. The honour of performing the light switch-on at 6:30pm will go to local actress Victoria Balnaves Aitken, renowned for her appearances in popular television shows such as Still Game, Shetland, and Two Doors Down. This promises to be a memorable evening, uniting residents in festive cheer.
Further north in Perth and Kinross, Aberfeldy’s main square will come alive on *November 29*, with events commencing at 2pm. The town will host a variety of attractions, including the charming presence of reindeer, performances from three local choirs, a vibrant ukulele band, and the stirring sounds of the Perth and District Pipe Band. A fancy dress competition adds an extra layer of fun, inviting imaginative participation from attendees. Finally, Auchterarder is also scheduled to hold its Christmas light switch-on event on *November 30*, with further details expected to be announced by local organisers. Angus: Twinkling Towns
Angus communities are also gearing up for their festive transformations. Kirriemuir will kick off its celebrations on *November 15*, featuring a Christmas fair and Santa’s grotto at Kirrie Town Hall from 10am to 3pm, culminating in Santa switching on the lights in The Square at 5pm. Montrose joins the festive fun on *November 15* from noon to 7pm, offering Santa visits, funfair rides, food, and craft stalls. Carnoustie’s event on *November 30*, from 12pm to 6pm, includes Santa’s grotto, community performances, children’s rides, and various stalls, with the lights illuminating the war memorial on High Street at 5pm. Brechin’s St Ninian’s Square will host a festive gathering on *November 30*, from noon to 5pm, complete with Santa’s grotto and market stalls, preceding the evening light switch-on. Arbroath will light up on *November 28*, starting with a Christmas market from 2pm to 7pm, followed by the main switch-on at 7:15pm with Santa in attendance. Dundee: City Sparkle
Dundee is preparing for its own special festive events. The Dundee West End will host its switch-on on *November 27*, with a Christmas market at Miller’s Wynd Car Park (Perth Road) from 4pm to 8pm. Santa’s grand arrival, led by a pipe band, is scheduled for 6:30pm, complete with goodie bags for the excited children, marking the beginning of the West End Christmas Fortnight. Broughty Ferry will light up on *November 20* from 6pm, promising entertainment that includes Santa and his sleigh, a lively street carnival, performances by the Eastern school choir, and delicious mince pies and mulled wine. Fife: Illuminating Communities
Fife’s towns are also ready to sparkle with their own unique events. Newburgh will host its switch-on at St Katherine’s Court on *November 15* at 4pm, with Santa arriving on his sleigh just before the big moment. This year’s event will feature the famously “wonky” lights, creatively designed by local schoolchildren, and the switch-on will be performed by the winner of a local competition. Dunfermline’s city centre is set for a full day of festivities on *November 16*, from 11am to 5pm. An artisan market at St Catherine’s Wynd and a funfair in Pittencrieff Park will run from 11am, with entertainment on High Street and Guildhall Street from 1pm to 5:30pm, including pipe bands, singers, and dancers. A Christmas parade from Viewfield Terrace car park at 12:30pm and a Santa Dash from M&S to the Glen Gates at 2pm add to the excitement. The lights will be switched on at 5pm by former Pars manager Neil Lennon and popular Gladiators contestant Kerry Wilson.
Cupar’s Crossgate will host celebrations on *November 22*, from 11am to 7pm, featuring Santa and his elves in a grotto at Cupar Youth Café, and a Christmas market in the Corn Exchange from 10am to 5pm. The town’s Citizen of the Year will be announced at 5:45pm before the lights are officially switched on at 6pm, with Codona’s funfair also providing entertainment. Leven’s High Street will come alive on *November 29*, from noon to 5pm, with entertainment from school choirs, the Mary Bradford singers, and the Amber Barclay Dance Academy. A Santa parade and the main light switch-on, performed by viral TikTok duo Daddy and Carly, will take place at 5pm. Finally, Kirkcaldy’s High Street will host its festive event on *November 29* from noon to 4pm. A Santa parade at noon will be followed by main stage entertainment featuring dancers, choirs, and bands. A lantern parade will light up the High Street at 4:30pm, followed by a chance to meet the panto cast from Aladdin and Oor Wee Mammy McGoose. The panto cast will then turn on the lights at 5pm, concluding with traditional Christmas carols at 5:30pm.
These upcoming events offer a fantastic opportunity for everyone in Perth and Kinross, and the surrounding areas, to immerse themselves in the warmth and joy of the festive season. Each switch-on promises to be a memorable occasion, filled with laughter, music, and the beautiful glow of Christmas lights, creating cherished memories for families and communities alike.
These cherished gatherings mark the unofficial start of the holiday season, bringing neighbours, friends, and families together in a vibrant celebration of light and community spirit. From bustling city centres to charming village squares, each location is set to offer its unique blend of traditional festivities and modern attractions. Perth and Kinross: Festive Highlights
Our own region is at the heart of many enchanting events. The city of Perth itself is set to be transformed into a winter wonderland on *November 22*, with activities commencing at noon. The main stage in the city centre will host an array of performers, with television personality Stephen Mulhern taking on hosting duties. Musical acts, including the popular group Cascada, are scheduled to entertain the crowds from 2pm to 8pm. The highlight of the evening, the grand Christmas lights switch-on, will take place at the main stage at 6:15pm, illuminating Perth with a spectacular glow.
The village of Muthil will embrace the festive season on *November 22*, with celebrations kicking off at 1pm with a delightful children’s Christmas crafts activity session at the village hall. The switch-on ceremony will follow at 3pm, casting a warm glow over the community. The day’s festivities will culminate in a lively ceilidh, also held at the hall, from 7pm to 10pm, offering a wonderful opportunity for locals to dance the night away. Admission to this community event is free, with attendees encouraged to bring their own refreshments.
Kinross is preparing for its own sparkling event on *November 29*. A charming procession will set off from Montgomery Street car park at 6pm, winding its way towards Green’s car park. The honour of performing the light switch-on at 6:30pm will go to local actress Victoria Balnaves Aitken, renowned for her appearances in popular television shows such as Still Game, Shetland, and Two Doors Down. This promises to be a memorable evening, uniting residents in festive cheer.
Further north in Perth and Kinross, Aberfeldy’s main square will come alive on *November 29*, with events commencing at 2pm. The town will host a variety of attractions, including the charming presence of reindeer, performances from three local choirs, a vibrant ukulele band, and the stirring sounds of the Perth and District Pipe Band. A fancy dress competition adds an extra layer of fun, inviting imaginative participation from attendees. Finally, Auchterarder is also scheduled to hold its Christmas light switch-on event on *November 30*, with further details expected to be announced by local organisers. Angus: Twinkling Towns
Angus communities are also gearing up for their festive transformations. Kirriemuir will kick off its celebrations on *November 15*, featuring a Christmas fair and Santa’s grotto at Kirrie Town Hall from 10am to 3pm, culminating in Santa switching on the lights in The Square at 5pm. Montrose joins the festive fun on *November 15* from noon to 7pm, offering Santa visits, funfair rides, food, and craft stalls. Carnoustie’s event on *November 30*, from 12pm to 6pm, includes Santa’s grotto, community performances, children’s rides, and various stalls, with the lights illuminating the war memorial on High Street at 5pm. Brechin’s St Ninian’s Square will host a festive gathering on *November 30*, from noon to 5pm, complete with Santa’s grotto and market stalls, preceding the evening light switch-on. Arbroath will light up on *November 28*, starting with a Christmas market from 2pm to 7pm, followed by the main switch-on at 7:15pm with Santa in attendance. Dundee: City Sparkle
Dundee is preparing for its own special festive events. The Dundee West End will host its switch-on on *November 27*, with a Christmas market at Miller’s Wynd Car Park (Perth Road) from 4pm to 8pm. Santa’s grand arrival, led by a pipe band, is scheduled for 6:30pm, complete with goodie bags for the excited children, marking the beginning of the West End Christmas Fortnight. Broughty Ferry will light up on *November 20* from 6pm, promising entertainment that includes Santa and his sleigh, a lively street carnival, performances by the Eastern school choir, and delicious mince pies and mulled wine. Fife: Illuminating Communities
Fife’s towns are also ready to sparkle with their own unique events. Newburgh will host its switch-on at St Katherine’s Court on *November 15* at 4pm, with Santa arriving on his sleigh just before the big moment. This year’s event will feature the famously “wonky” lights, creatively designed by local schoolchildren, and the switch-on will be performed by the winner of a local competition. Dunfermline’s city centre is set for a full day of festivities on *November 16*, from 11am to 5pm. An artisan market at St Catherine’s Wynd and a funfair in Pittencrieff Park will run from 11am, with entertainment on High Street and Guildhall Street from 1pm to 5:30pm, including pipe bands, singers, and dancers. A Christmas parade from Viewfield Terrace car park at 12:30pm and a Santa Dash from M&S to the Glen Gates at 2pm add to the excitement. The lights will be switched on at 5pm by former Pars manager Neil Lennon and popular Gladiators contestant Kerry Wilson.
Cupar’s Crossgate will host celebrations on *November 22*, from 11am to 7pm, featuring Santa and his elves in a grotto at Cupar Youth Café, and a Christmas market in the Corn Exchange from 10am to 5pm. The town’s Citizen of the Year will be announced at 5:45pm before the lights are officially switched on at 6pm, with Codona’s funfair also providing entertainment. Leven’s High Street will come alive on *November 29*, from noon to 5pm, with entertainment from school choirs, the Mary Bradford singers, and the Amber Barclay Dance Academy. A Santa parade and the main light switch-on, performed by viral TikTok duo Daddy and Carly, will take place at 5pm. Finally, Kirkcaldy’s High Street will host its festive event on *November 29* from noon to 4pm. A Santa parade at noon will be followed by main stage entertainment featuring dancers, choirs, and bands. A lantern parade will light up the High Street at 4:30pm, followed by a chance to meet the panto cast from Aladdin and Oor Wee Mammy McGoose. The panto cast will then turn on the lights at 5pm, concluding with traditional Christmas carols at 5:30pm.
These upcoming events offer a fantastic opportunity for everyone in Perth and Kinross, and the surrounding areas, to immerse themselves in the warmth and joy of the festive season. Each switch-on promises to be a memorable occasion, filled with laughter, music, and the beautiful glow of Christmas lights, creating cherished memories for families and communities alike.