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38 great pictures of Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on – with racing Santas, singers and crowds

Six to eight-year-old members of Dunfermline Athletic Community Club got into the spirit of the day. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Six to eight-year-old members of Dunfermline Athletic Community Club got into the spirit of the day. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.

There were Santas galore as Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on got the festive season under way.

Sunday’s event in Scotland’s newest city was a real community affair.

The countdown to Christmas began with Dunfermline Rotary Club’s annual Santa dash down the High Street.

Dozens of locals dressed as Father Christmas kicked off the fun-packed programme by sprinting through the town centre.

And it was followed by a 5k race round Pittencrieff Park.

Pipe bands lead Dunfermline Christmas lights parade

Dunfermline and District Pipe Band was joined by The Black Watch Cadet Band and the Salvation Army Band for a bout of festive music.

And singers, including school groups and choirs, helped the crowds warm up their vocal chords with Christmas songs.

The pipe band also took part in a massive community parade to the City Chambers, where they were welcomed by Fife Provost Jim Leishman.

He led a countdown before bathing the town centre in festive light.

Kingdom FM added to the entertainment, broadcasting from their roadshow trailer throughout the afternoon.

The event was the first of several in Dunfermline in the run-up to Christmas.

And it followed the switch-on of Newburgh’s “wonky” Christmas lights and a community celebration in Perth on Saturday.

On your marks. Santas get ready for a 5k run round Pittencrieff Park before Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
More than 100 runners took part in the traditional Santa dash down the High Street. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Santa dash runners kicked off the Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on festivities. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Santa’s little helpers also got involved in the Santa dash at Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Some people had a wheely great time! Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Run, Santas, run! Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Who will be first to the sleigh? Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Laura Pacey and Julien Henneton from Dunfermline took part in the Santa dash at Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
vDunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The Black Watch Cadet Band played Christmas tunes. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Entertaining the crowds ahead of the big switch-on. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The band plays Christmas favourites. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The excitement building up among the crowd ahead of the big switch-on. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The community parade was led by Dunfermline and District Pipe Band. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Santa joined the pipe band to bring a Christmassy feel. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The community parade also included The Black Watch, the Salvation Army and Dunfermline Men’s Shed. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Christmas music filled the air. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Community groups enjoyed the event. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Theatre group Limelight and St Columba’s High School were involved in the parade. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The excitement was beginning to show. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Scores of people watched the colourful parade before the Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Dunfermline singer-songwriter Sophie De Rose, 21, joined the Kingdom FM stage to provide entertainment. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Christmas lights now illuminate the High Street, right down to Pittencrieff Park. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Emilia with five-year-old daughter Olivia, from Dunfermline, enjoyed the show. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Sophie De Rose belts out another number. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Kai, 5, and Lily, 6, from Dunfermline. Image:  Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Shone De Rose with dog Tilly the Yorkie. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The lights bring a Christmas feel to Scotland’s newest city. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Voice of Fife 2011 winner Dionna Hickey, 28, also entertained. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The crowd joined in the festivities with singing and dancing. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Not long until Santa comes to Dunfermline. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Lead warden Suzie Ross with Yolanda Pearson, Carlyn Cane and Kerry Duncanson from Pittencrieff Park, alongside Charley the pea hen with Skye the dog at Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Dionne Hickey gets into the groove. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Fife Provost Jim Leishman, right, parties with Santa. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
Jim Leishman gets help to switch on the lights thanks to three-year-old Jamie Tierney, mum Bobby and dad, also Jamie, at Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The Tierney family of Dunfermline take centre stage. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The crowd was enthralled. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.
Dunfermline Christmas lights switch-on 2022
The countdown to Christmas begins. Image: Steve Brown / DC Thomson.

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