Thursday, November 27, from noon
An ice rink, ski slope, rodeo reindeer, Santa’s grotto and a new Christmas Market are just some of the highlights of this year’s Christmas Lights Switch-On in Dumfries.
Following last year’s decision to move the annual festivities from Sunday to Thursday, Dumfries & Galloway Council, in consultation with Dumfries Retailers’ Association and Dumfries & Galloway Chamber of Commerce, has decided to keep the event on a Thursday for 2014.
The aim of this year’s extravaganza is to create Christmas around the town, with events happening along the High Street, lower Bank Street, and on the Whitesands, where, for the first time, there will be a special market.
Located down the lower half of Bank Street (from Irish Street), and running in front of The Coach & Horses on the Whitesands, the market will feature established businesses as well as showcase stalls from local Young Entrepreneurs who are supported by Dumfries & Galloway Council and Business Gateway Plus. These stalls are being financed by Dumfries Retailers’ Association.
The Christmas Extravaganza starts at noon, with the funfair rides opening in the town centre.
Afternoon entertainment, featuring local community groups and schools from across the region, co-ordinated by OASIS Youth Centre, starts at 12.30pm at the Plainstaines.
The Dumfries-based Stove artists Network has some surprises planned, too.
Retailers throughout the town are getting behind the festive extravaganza, with many staying open late on the day. Some stores will be offering special discounts on the night, so it’s a perfect chance to start your Christmas shopping and pick up some bargains.
The Christmas light switch on ceremony takes place at 6pm and will be broadcast LIVE on award-winning Dumfries community radio station, Alive 107.3; official media partner of the Dumfries Christmas Extravaganza.
DGWGO is the Official Online/social media Partner for Dumfries Christmas lights switch on 2014
Listen live, or online at www.aliveradio.net, for more information about the events and interviews with some of the organisers , and keep upto date on all the events news at www.dgwgo.com and on facebook at
https://www.facebook.com/DGWGO
Alive 107.3 and Twitter: and look out for #dfsxmaslights2014
How you can turn your town on for Christmas
Bid for a bargain, the perfect Christmas present, or an unusual gift not available anywhere else at this year’s Dumfries Retailers’ Association Christmas Auction.
The aim is to raise as much money as possible for the town’s festivities.
The auction takes place on Wednesday, November 19 at the Solway Suite in The Cairndale Hotel, from 7pm. Admission free.
See www.dumfriesnow.com for more information and details of the lots.
