Perth city centre is being transformed into a winter wonderland as it prepares to welcome tens of thousands of visitors for its lavish Christmas party.
It was all hands on deck on Friday night, as crews got to work building the main stage on Tay Street before Saturday’s big show.
Organiser Perth and Kinross Council has put together a packed line-up of family favourites, including appearances from Catchphrase host Stephen Mulhern and Basil Brush.
One of the highlights is expected to be local dance champion Lily Douglas, who was included in the line-up after a campaign.
As well as the main stage, there will be two smaller venues in King Edward Street and Horsecross Plaza, next to Perth Concert Hall.
Market stalls will be set up along George Street, St John Street, High Street and King Edward Street from 10am, while Santa’s Grotto will open on Mill Street at midday.
Throughout the afternoon, visitors will get the chance to meet Cairngorm reindeers and other four-legged friends, while street entertainment includes a walkabout ska band, characters from Pixar movies and an appearance from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at The Bank on South Methven Street.
The main stage opens with the McAndrews Sisters vocal trio at 2pm, followed by Last Orders, Boomin and the Giants of British Rock.
A Christmas parade, led by Father Christmas, sets off from Thimblerow at 5.30pm and travels to Speygate, via South Street.
The city’s seasonal display will be switched on at 6.15pm by Provost Dennis Melloy, who will be joined on stage by a host of special guests.
The switch-on will be followed by Stephen Mulhern and Basil Brush, with Atomic Kitten’s Natasha Hamilton and Liz McClarnon due to take to the stage at 6.40pm for a half-hour set.
From 7.10pm, there will be nearly an hour of classic club music hosted by Dario G, with N-Trance and Alice DJ.
Nina Nesbitt will bring the show to a close.
Council leader Murray Lyle said he was delighted with this year’s programme, saying: “I think it is going to be a fantastic event, there really is something for everyone.”
Events continue on Sunday, with more music on the Horsecross Plaza and King Edward Street stages, plus another day of markets.
There will be a parade of Perth bakers -tasked with making local landmarks in sponge and icing – and their creations from 2pm at St John Street.
Based on previous years’ figures, it costs about £220,000 to stage the switch-on ceremony, which in turn generates a boost of around £2m for the local economy.
