Renfrew and Johnstone to light up for Christmas

Renfrew and Johnstone will officially mark the start of the festive season as the Christmas lights in each town are due to be switched on in the coming weeks.

In Renfrew the celebrations return to the town centre with a festive day out for all the family from 12 noon on Saturday 23 November.

There will be live stage performances from local acts throughout the day, a family funfair in Charles Avenue car park, and a Christmas Market selling seasonal fare.

Santa will be waiting in Renfrew Fellowship Church to hear all about what the children of Renfrew are hoping to find in their stockings this year, and there are free family festive music sessions in Renfrew Town Hall throughout the day – visit https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/Renfrew-Xmas-Lights to book.

The day will culminate with the traditional Renfrew Burgh Band carol concert, which will take place in Renfrew Town Hall at 3.30pm, before Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron and Renfrew’s Christmas Card competition winner switch on the town’s Christmas Lights at 5pm.

Renfrew YMCA on Canal Lane will also be open throughout the day, offering refreshments, a sensory space and access to their facilities, including baby change, accessible toilet and kitchen.

It’s Johnstone’s turn on Saturday 30 November and Houstoun Square will be transformed into a winter wonderland with a variety of entertainment on offer.

There’ll be entertainment in the bandstand from 1pm with Johnstone Sound and local acts performing live throughout the day.

Santa will be in town to meet the children of Johnstone, and don’t forget to visit the Christmas Market, hosted by St Vincent’s Hospice, to get a start on some of your Christmas shopping.

There are activities for all ages with a funfair on site in Houstoun Square and free festive photo opportunities and facepainting running all afternoon.

At 5pm the community will come together at the bandstand as Provost Lorraine Cameron and Johnstone’s Christmas Card competition winner light up Johnstone for the Christmas period.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron said: “Switching the lights on is always a highlight of my year and I am excited to once again be able to give local children the opportunity to take part in this special moment.

“I love seeing our communities embrace the Christmas spirit and with so much to do in both Renfrew and Johnstone this year it’s a fantastic day out for all the family.”

Research shows around 70p from every pound spent in the local area stays in the local area and Renfrewshire Council are encouraging visitors to the Christmas events to take part in the Spend Local campaign and support the wide range of businesses on offer in Renfrew and Johnstone town centres.

Visit https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/spendlocal for more information.