Paisley’s Christmas gets underway with a sleigh-load of family fun on offer this winter

The countdown to Christmas is on as Paisley’s ice-rink and funfair opened their doors last night (Thursday 28 November) to kick off a month-long programme of festive activity taking place across the town centre.

The Paisley’s Christmas event is organised by Renfrewshire Council in partnership with Scotland’s Theme Park and runs until Saturday 28 December.

The first skaters have now taken to the outdoor ice rink in Paisley Town Centre – with local professional hockey team Glasgow Clan and dancers from the Maryann McCreadie School of Dance being the first to test out the ice.

The town’s Christmas lights were also turned on as part of the opening night by Provost Lorraine Cameron and Mia from St James’ Primary School, who won the chance to switch on the lights through the Provost’s annual Christmas Card Competition.

Highlights of the month-long programme of events include:

– ice rink and festive outdoor rides – open selected times until Saturday 28 December (excluding Christmas and Boxing Day). Tickets can be bought online with discounts available for Renfrewshire residents, students and YoungScot card holders;

– Paisley First’s Christmas Market on the High Street (Saturday 7 December) plus the chance to win prizes through their 12 Days of Christmas competition and Cosy Christmas Trail;

– Santa’s Grotto in the Paisley Centre (Saturday 7, 11 and 21 December from 11am-3pm);

– plus a range of Christmas activities, open days, festive movies and pantomimes across Renfrewshire

Check out the www.paisley.is website for details of what’s happening where and when – some events are free drop-ins, others are ticketed.

Free parking in council owned car parks within Paisley will be extended from 1 hour to 2 hours from 1 December to 3 January to support increased footfall in the town centre in the lead up to Christmas. 

This weekend also sees festive fun come to Johnstone as the town’s Christmas lights switch-on event takes place in Houstoun Square on Saturday from 1pm until 5pm, and Renfrew, with free family activities on Sunday in Renfrew Town Hall from 12 noon until 4pm. Visit https://www.renfrewshire.gov.uk/events for more information