About the event
Christmas starts in Paisley!
Join us on Saturday 14 November for a free day of festive entertainment, live music and family fun in Paisley town centre.
From headline performances on the main stage to magical street theatre, festive food and Christmas activities, there will be something for all ages to enjoy throughout the day.
The celebrations will conclude at 6pm, when Paisley's Christmas Lights are switched on with music from Skipinnish.
Event programme
Main stage
Enjoy live music and festive entertainment from 1pm - 6pm on the Main Stage on Gauze Street. Hosted by Go Radio's Zoe Kelly.
| Time | Performance |
|---|---|
| 1pm | Artie's Singing Kettle |
| 1.45pm | Let Robbie Entertain You |
| 3pm | The Laurettes |
| 4.30pm | Skipinnish |
| 6pm | Christmas lights switch-on! |
Pop-up performances at Dunn Square
See community choirs perform and hear lots of Christmas classics at the performance area at the top of Dunn Square from 12.30pm - 5.30pm. Dunn Square is located on the corner of Gauze Street and Smithhills Street.
| Time | Performance |
|---|---|
| 12.45pm | Turning Point Scotland |
| 1pm | West Primary School Choir |
| 1.30pm | School of African Cultures - Ubuntu Drummers and Dancers |
| 2pm | Paisley Rock Choir |
| 2.30pm | Gaelic Choir |
| 3pm | Graeme Kerr |
| 3.30pm | RockUs Choir |
| 4pm | Johnstone Band |
| 4.30pm | Heriot Primary School - Heriot Heartbeats |
| 5pm | Anya Vincent |
Street performances
Giant, illuminated feather birds, living snow globes and a troop of naughty Santas. There will be a treat of festive street performances roaming on High Street and Gauze Street from 1pm - 5.45pm.
| Times | Performance |
|---|---|
| 1pm, 3pm & 5pm | Fantastical Winter Birds |
| 1.15pm, 2pm, 2.45pm, 3.45pm, 4.30pm & 5pm | The Living Snow Globes |
| 1.30pm, 3pm & 4.30pm | Bad Santas |
Family activities, light installations and funfair
Kids' arts & crafts workshops at The Art Department
Stop by The Art Department on Causeyside Street from 3pm - 6pm to take part in Christmas crafting or see a festive film screening.
Book in with The Art Department.
The Stick Man Storytelling Session at Paisley Central Library
Enjoy a retelling of Julia Donaldson's magical festive story at 3pm. The session is suitable for ages 0 - 5 and will include singing, games, movement and creative play.
Book a free place via Ticketsolve.
Giant Snow Globe
Step inside our magical snow globe and capture the perfect festive photograph with your family and friends. The Giant Snow Globe will be open from 1pm - 6pm on High Street.
Magical Light Tunnels
Marvel at the twinkling lights in one of four 10 meter sparkling light tunnels in Dunn Square.
Funfair rides
With rides catering for all ages, you'll find funfair attractions on Bridge Street, County Square and High Street Street from 1pm - 6pm.
Pop-up Festive Photo Studio
Studio by MOYA (a social enterprise run by West College Scotland photography students) will be operating a pop-up festive photo studio within the Piazza Shopping Centre between 2pm and 5pm. As an extra special Christmas offer, you can get a festive A4 print and digital photo package for £10. Photoshoots will operate on a first-come, first-serve basis.
'Festive Friends' at the Piazza
Pop into the Piazza shopping centre for free facepainting and a meet and greet with Rudolph and a Christmas Tree. Activities will be running from 1pm - 6pm.
Food and drink
The Big Feed will be in Abbey Close from 12noon-8pm selling delicious food, drinks and artisan gifts. It's a great place to get your Christmas shopping started.
Plus, Paisley town centre is home to lots of excellent cafés and restaurants, so there are plenty of places nearby to stop for lunch or a hot drink.
Town centre businesses staying open late
Get your Christmas shopping off to a good start by supporting local businesses. The following shops will be extending their opening hours in support of Paisley's Christmas Lights Switch-On event.
- Paisley 3D Print Shop, County Place, PA1 1BN. Open 10am - 7pm
- Antiques & Allsorts, High Street. Open until 6.30pm
Location
Address
Getting here
Plan your journey to Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On
By train
Paisley Gilmour Street is the closest railway station and is less than a 15 minute journey from Glasgow Central. Exit via County Square to reach the Christmas event site.
Plan your journey at www.scotrail.co.uk.
By bus
Local bus services operate to Paisley town centre from across Renfrewshire and beyond. Please note that some bus routes may be affected by event-related road closures.
Plan your journey at www.mcgillsbuses.co.uk.
By car
Parking is available across Paisley town centre, although some locations may be affected by road closures.
If you’re travelling by car, we recommend the following parking locations:
- Piazza Shopping Centre car park
- Horizon Car Park (Paisley Shopping Centre)
Road closures
Paisley Christmas Lights Switch On can be a busy event, with some disruption to traffic and public transport. Please plan ahead.
The following closures will be in place:
From 18.00 on Friday 13 November to 23.00 on Saturday 14 November:
- Cotton Street (northbound)
- Gauze Street, from Smithshill Street to Silk Street
From 19.00 on Friday 13 November to 23.00 on Saturday 14 November:
- Bridge Street, from Cotton Street to Mill Street / Gordon Street
From 19.00 on Friday 13 November to 17.00 on Sunday 15 November:
- County Place
- Gilmour Street
From 11.00 until 22.00 on Saturday 14 November:
- Cotton Street (southbound)
- Gauze Street, from Silk Street to St Mirren Street
- High Street, from Gilmour Street to New Street
- Lawn Street, from Gauze Street to Silk Street
- Moss Street, from School Wynd to High Street
- Orchard Street, from Marshals Lane to Bridge Street
- Smithshill Street, from Weir Street to Gauze Street
- St Mirren Street, from Forbes Place to Gauze Street
Parking Restrictions
The following no parking restrictions will be in place from 00.01 on Friday 13 November to 17.00 on Sunday 15 November.
- Bridge Street Car Park
The following no parking restrictions will be in place from 15.00 on Friday 13 November to 23.00 on Saturday 14 November.
- Gauze Street, from Silk Street to St Mirren Street
The following no parking restrictions will be in place from 19.00 on Friday 13 November to 23.00 on Saturday 14 November.
- Bridge Street
The following no parking restrictions will be in place from 00.01 to 23.00 on Saturday 14 November.
- Cotton Street
- Forbes Place
- Lawn Street, from Gauze Street to Silk Street
- Silk Street (Northbound only)
- St Mirren Street
Features
- The switch-on moment Join Santa and Renfrewshire's Provost to officially switch-on Paisley's Christmas lights at 6pm.
- Live music and entertainment A mixture of live musicians, choir performances, children's favourites and ceilidh tunes will play out from two stages located on Gauze Street and at the Cenotaph.
- Food and drink Enjoy tasty festive treats at the Big Feed Market or stop off at one of the many cafés and restaurants on offer in Paisley town centre.
- Family-friendly activities Drop in for free arts and crafts workshops, enjoy a festive film screening or settle in for some interactive storytelling.
- Street performances Jolly walkabout performers will roam around the event site spreading Christmas cheer. Watch out for the Bad Santas!
- Funfair Enjoy rides and attractions located on High Street, County Square and Bridge Street.
Accessibility
- Accessible viewing area A raised platform will be available on Gauze Street, beside the main stage. This location provides space for wheelchair users and visitors who require step-free viewing. Seating will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.
- Accessible toilets Accessible toilets will be available throughout the event site, including at: Abbey Close, Dunn Square, High Street, Gauze Street, Smithhills Street, Bridge Street and County Square. A mobile Changing Place will be available on Cotton Street.
- Blue Badge Parking Parking for Blue Badge holders will be available in the Paisley Centre and the Piazza Shopping Centre car parks. Both sites are close to the event site and all the festive activities.
- Quiet Spaces Quiet spaces will be available inside Paisley Central Library on High Street and in Abbey Gardens, with access via Cotton Street.
- Baby changing facilities Baby changing facilities are available at each of the accessible toilets, located at: Abbey Close, Dunn Square, High Street, Gauze Street, Smithhills Street, Bridge Street and County Square.
- Mobility support services Shopmobility Renfrewshire can provide additional support, including wheelchair, powerchair and scooter hire. They are based at the Paisley Centre car park should you need mobility assistance.
- BSL event guide A BSL interpretation of the event programme for Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On is available to watch via YouTube.
Volunteering
Volunteers help make our events special
There are opportunities to support visitor welcome, stewarding, wayfinding and event operations. Volunteering is a chance to meet new people, gain event experience and be part of the Council's exciting annual events programme.
If you would like to volunteer for Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On, or any other Renfrewshire Council event, please get in touch.
Email us at eventsvolunteers@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
Contact
For any enquiries about Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On including sponsorship, volunteering or accessibility please get in touch.
Email us at events@renfrewshire.gov.uk.
