Johnstone is lining up a festival of festive fun at the weekend when the town’s Christmas lights are turned on in the town centre.

Saturday will see an afternoon-long party in Houstoun Square with live entertainment on the main stage from noon to 5pm.

Renfrewshire’s Provost Anne Hall will be joined on stage by a competition winner from a local school to turn on the lights at 4.30pm.

The square will host funfair rides, Santa’s grotto, stalls and a tea room hosted by St Vincent’s Hospice, as well as a marquee featuring face-painters, Stevo the Clown and circus workshops.

DJs from Renfrewshire-based online radio station Sugar Radio will be providing the tunes on the main stage, with ten different music and dance acts to perform.

The highlight will be boyband 4th State, who will close the show after the lights have been switched on, with a number of other local performers on during the day.

The acts are: Jump Dance group, Splash Productions, DSD Street Dance, Per4mance Stage School, Lewis Irons (singer), Johnstone Community Dance group, Clyde (three-piece band), Mel & Em (singers), Echo (girl band) and 4th State.

For more information, including a full timetable of entertainment on the day, visit www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/events

The lights switch-on is organised by Renfrewshire Council as part of its town centre events programme.

Provost Hall said: “After successful and well-attended lights switch-ons over the past two Saturdays in Paisley and Renfrew I am pleased to be heading to Johnstone next.

“The event is always popular family day out for people in the town and the surrounding villages and the line-up this year should attract another big crowd.

“Holding the event in the main town square helps bring a benefit to local traders, and follows the successful Fire Engine Rally, which we held in Johnstone for the first time back in August.

“One of the perks of the job is having the chance to get out and about and meet people at these family events, and I look forward to doing that on Saturday.”

Author

Founder of Paisley.org.uk in 1998 and constantly strives to change peoples attitudes to the town, Brian is a self described Paisley Digital Champion who promotes Paisley via any means necessary. You can also follow me on X