The countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun.
And, as excitement builds, many towns across Tayside and Fife are planning fun, festive events to mark the switching-on of their Christmas lights.
We’ve put together a handy guide to some of the Christmas lights switch on events happening in Dundee, Angus, Fife and Perth and Kinross over the next few weeks.
And you never know, you might even see Santa.
Have fun – and Merry Christmas!
Angus Christmas lights switch-on events
Kirriemuir
November 16
10am to 3pm – Christmas fair and Santa’s grotto at Kirrie Town Hall.
5pm – Lights switch-on in The Square.
Carnoustie
November 24 – from 12pm to 6pm
Community performances, childrens rides and a range of stalls are on offer in old Kinloch School grounds.
12.45 to 4.45pm – Santa’s Grotto.
5.15pm – Lights switched on.
Brechin
November 24 – from noon to 5pm at St Ninian’s Square.
Various stalls will be set up before the lights are switched on.
Arbroath
November 29 – from 2pm
2pm – 7pm – Crafters Market in town centre.
7.15pm – Christmas lights are switched on with Santa in attendance.
Forfar
December 1 – noon to 4pm.
A Christmas market at The Cross, including stalls, food and entertainment runs all afternoon.
4pm – Santa arrives and the lights are switched on.
Dundee Christmas lights switch-on events
Dundee West End
November 28 – from 4pm at Miller’s Wynd Car Park, Perth Road.
Christmas market is on from 4pm to 8pm.
7pm – Santa arrives, led by a pipe band, to hand out goodie bags.
The event marks the start of the Dundee West End Christmas Fortnight.
Broughty Ferry
November 21 from 6pm.
Entertainment includes Santa and his sleigh, courtesy of the Round Table, and a street carnival.
Performances from Eastern school choir, mince pies and mulled wine are also promised.
The switch-on will be conducted by the Lord Provost of Dundee.
Perth Christmas lights switch-on event
November 23 – from noon in the city centre.
From noon – The family stage at Horsecross Plaza will host a variety of acts, including singing and dancing from local talent..
2pm to 8pm – Acts including Cascada will perform on the main stage in Tay Street.
5pm – Santa will lead a Christmas parade from Thimblerow, followed by community performers and Perth and District Pipe Band.
6.15pm – Christmas lights will be switched on at the main stage.
Fife Christmas lights switch-on events
Newburgh
November 16 at St Katherine’s Court at 4pm.
Santa will arrive on his sleigh just before the switch-on.
All the ”wonky” lights are designed by local school children and this year’s is a Christmas goose.
The switch-on will be performed by this year’s competition winner Lochlan Aitken.
Dunfermline
November 17 in the city centre from 12-5pm.
From 11am – Artisan market at St Catherine’s Wynd.
1-5.30pm – Entertainment on the High Street and Guildhall Street, including pipe bands, singers and dancers.
2pm – Santa Dash from M&S to the Glen Gates.
4.30pm – Christmas parade down the High Street for the big switch-on at the Glen Gates at 5pm.
5pm – Electronics legends N-Trance perform at Glen Gates, followed by the Red Hot Chilli Pipers at 5.40pm.
Cupar
November 23 at Crossgate from 11am to 7pm.
11am to 1pm and 2pm to 4.45pm – Santa and his elves will be in his grotto at Cupar Youth Café.
10am to 5pm – Christmas market in the Corn Exchange.
5.45pm – Citizen of the year announced before lights are switched on at 6pm.
Codona’s funfair will also provide entertainment in Fluthers car park and Crossgate.
Leven
November 30 at Leven High Street from noon to 5pm.
Noon – Entertainment starts and continues throughout the afternoon with Buckhaven and Methil Miners Brass Band, school choirs, Mary Bradford singers, Lundin Links Community Choir and Amber Barclay Dance Academy.
4.40pm – Santa’s sleigh arrives
5pm – Christmas lights switched on by Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Cammy Barnes, who will perform beforehand.
Kirkcaldy
November 30 at the High Street from 10am to 4pm
Noon – Santa parade from the Prom to the Mercat Centre, via Tolbooth Street.
12.30pm – Santa’s grotto opens in the Mercat until 3pm.
4pm – Lights turned on by the cast of this year’s panto, Sleeping Beauty.
Fairground rides and other festive entertainment will be in place all day.
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