The final weekend of Perth’s Winter Festival celebrations before Christmas promises to be a festive foray into the world of magic.
The Magical Christmas Weekend sees Perth’s 5k Santa Dash return at noon on Saturday (December 3).
Depute Provost Andrew Parrott will fire the starting gun, which will see Santas and their pooches set off on a five kilometre dash from Horsecross Plaza, over the bridges and finishing on the North Inch.
Edinburgh Magical Festival will welcome acts to the Horsecross Plaza Stage on Mill Street from noon until 5pm.
There will be spellbinding performances from Kevin Quantum, who was trained by the famous magicians Penn and Teller, Scottish magic champion Woody the Magician, Chris Dinwoodie and many more.
The Mill Street Gazebo, located between Marks and Spencer and Precious Sparkle, will showcase the Clydebuilt Puppet Theatre where families can enjoy the wonderful puppets and their fairy stories.
Laugh alongside Gordon’s Magic and Puppets and the Cobblers Clown Show in St Paul’s Church from noon, where performances will be taking place until 4pm.
Pop into workshops at St Ninian’s Cathedral from 1pm to make a lantern for the annual Christmas Lantern and Nativity Parade. Bottles for the lanterns will be supplied free of charge.
Lovely carol singing can be heard from 4.50pm with the switch on of St Ninian’s Nativity scene.
The Lantern Parade begins at 5pm, led by Perth and District Pipe Band, as it makes its way to St John’s Kirk.
Perthshire Brass will lead carols at St John’s Kirk nativity scene at 5.15pm.
The magic continues on Sunday from noon until 5pm with live music and dancing on the Horsecross Plaza Stage, featuring Last Orders, Dario G and local acts Julie Young Dance School and JGN Dance Attic.
Fair City Wrestling will be grappling at the Mill Street Wresting Ring from 1pm until 4.15pm.
The Festive Cabin Christmas Trail and Perth Indies will offer magical gifts to start or finish the day’s Christmas shopping.
Mill Street, from Marks and Spencer to Bridge Lane, will shut on Saturday and Sunday from 7am until about 6pm each day.
Parts of Scott Street will be closed from noon until 12.15pm during the Santa Dash.
North Methven Street, South Methven Street and Old High Street will be closed from 5pm until approximately 5.15pm to allow the Christmas Lantern and Nativity Parade to pass to St John’s Kirk.
See Parking in Perth city centre on the Perth and Kinross Council website.
