Glasgow Loves Christmas is bringing the event back to George Square on Sunday 19 November to mark the start of the city’s festive celebrations.

Entry gates to the square, in Cochrane Street and George Street, will open to ticket holders at 4.30pm before musical acts and theatre stars deliver a series of spectacular performances.

The event, hosted by Clyde 1 presenters George Bowie and Cassi Gillespie, will start at 5.00pm when Simply Ariana – an Ariana Grande tribute act – takes to the stage. Scottish country singer-songwriter Kevin McGuire will then grab the microphone before a Scottish Ballet performance of Cinders! and a crowd singalong.

The festive fun will continue when Glasgow’s very own Michelle McManus performs her new single ‘Christmas Glow’, followed by appearances by Treasure Island cast members from the Pavilion Theatre, Scottish TikTok star Nati and the Soul Nation Choir. The city’s Christmas lights will be switched on at 7.00pm.

The 10,600 people who have secured free tickets in this year’s ballot are advised to dress appropriately for the conditions.

With Glasgow’s Christmas lights switch-on drawing thousands of visitors to the city centre, road closures and parking restrictions will be in place.

The north, east, south and west sides of George Square will be closed to traffic from 6.00am-11.59pm on Sunday 19 November, along with the following routes:

Anchor Lane, Cochrane Street, Dundas Lane, Dundas Street, George Street (between Shuttle Street and George Square), Hanover Street, John Street, Martha Street, Nelson Mandela Place, North Frederick Street, North Hanover Street, South Frederick Street, West George Street, Ingram Street, Queen Street and St Vincent Place.

No vehicles will be permitted to wait or load from 4.00pm on Saturday 18 November until 11.59pm on Sunday 19 November in Anchor Lane, Cochrane Street, Dundas Lane, Dundas Street, George Square, George Street, Hanover Street, Ingram Street, Montrose Street, Nelson Mandela Place, North Frederick Street, North Hanover Street, Queen Street, St Vincent Place, South Frederick Street and West George Street.

Bus lanes in North Hanover Street (northbound, between George Square and Cathedral Street), Nelson Mandela Place (between West Nile Street and West George Street) and Ingram Street (eastbound, between Queen Street and South Hanover Street) will be closed from 6.00am-11.59pm on Sunday 19 November.

Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Jacqueline McLaren, said:

“The Christmas lights switch-on brings families and friends together for a wonderful night of festive fun and is a highlight of Glasgow’s events calendar. There’s so much to see and do in Glasgow this festive season, from the Winterfests in George Square and St Enoch Square to the annual Santa Dash – there really is something for everyone to enjoy.”

For more information on Glasgow’s 2023 festive events programme, visit the Glasgow Loves Christmas webpage.