Happy faces were everywhere on Saturday 19 as the Perth Christmas Lights Switch On event went off with a bang!
In Perth city centre, record crowds took up the invitation to come and see all the free fun, celebrating lights, laughter and retail.
Round every corner there were performers, bands and tempting treats and with a break in the rain, people from far and wide streamed in to enjoy the scene.
Nothing like this has been held by Perth and Kinross Council since the pre-Covid days of 2019.
Cascada, Mud, the UK Rock Show, Beats of Brazil dancers and the outrageous Lionel Vinyl ramped up the boogie atmosphere.
For those needing a quieter, gentle environment away from noise and flashes, Perth Theatre offered a sanctuary.
Perthshire ’s young people gave incredible dancing displays on stage in Mill Street and Tay Street with students from JGN Dance Attic, Inspire and Julie Young Studios capturing the mood of high energy, big positivity.
The parade heading for Tay Street had everyone from pipers to baton twirlers, even Jack and Lettie Lou from the Perth Panto were having a blast.
Huge high definition screens relayed main stage action so no one needed to miss a moment.
Just after 6pm, Santa was given a helping hand by Provost Xander McDade in pressing the magic button to start up the street lights and blast off the fireworks.
“This is a fantastic day for Perth,” said Provost McDade in the seconds before the sky was filled with a jaw-dropping pyrotechnic display that lit up the city.
Host Stephen Mulhern boasted that Perth had the biggest and the best switch on event in Scotland and as the rockets rained down and the bright stars and sparks hurtled, no one could disagree.
For more pictures of the switch on and performances, please see Friday’s edition of the Perthshire Advertiser.
