Christmas Lights Weekend Set for 20 to 22 November; Visitors Advised to Book a Hotel, a Table and a Spot on Tay Street Behind the Shortest Man Available

By our Festive Visitors Correspondent

Perth’s Christmas Lights Switch-On Weekend runs from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 November, with the main event on Saturday 21 November, when the lights go on at 6pm, followed by fireworks.

The headline act on the Tay Street stage will be the Red Hot Chilli Pipers, with QFX, Pitbull UK and Kevon Bennett’s band also on the bill. A procession through the city centre is planned for the Sunday.

Visitors from outside the city are advised to plan ahead.

“Book your table now,” said a Perth restaurant owner. “That Saturday is the busiest night of our year apart from Valentine’s Day, and on Valentine’s Day at least people only want a table for two. On switch-on night, it’s a table for eleven, two prams and a granny.”

The Perthetic’s own guide to the switch-on is simple. Arrive early. Wear a hat. Find a spot behind the shortest person you can see. Take a flask. At 5.59pm, get your phone ready. At 6pm, film the lights coming on. At 6.01pm, realise you have filmed the back of a man’s head. Watch the fireworks instead, with your eyes. Then go for chips.

Tourism chiefs say they hope the weekend will bring thousands of people into the city centre. Perth’s businesses say they hope those thousands of people will bring money.

The real story: Christmas Lights Switch-On Weekend (Perth & Kinross Council)