Switch on to the magic of Christmas in your area

A feast of Yuletide events will be taking place locally - organised by communities, traders and groups - and supported by the Council.

Switch-on celebrations take place in Bearsden, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie on Saturday 30 November, with charges suspended for the full day in all seven of the Council’s fee-levying car parks.

The car parks (in Bearsden, Kirkintilloch and Milngavie) will also be free on the following three Saturdays - December 7, 14 and 21.

To get you in the seasonal mood, Mugdock Country Park will be hosting a Christmas Fun Day on Saturday 23 November, from 11.30am-5.30pm - including lights switch-on, a chance to visit Santa in his log cabin, elf slime-making workshop (please pre-book), magic show, children’s light parade, funfair and more.

Visit www.mugdock-country-park.org.uk, call 0141 956 610 or visit www.facebook.com/mugdockcountrypark to book and for full details.

Mugdock will also be hosting its annual panto, which this year is Sleeping Beauty - by Fizzgig Theatre (30 November to 30 December).

Councillor Billy Hendry, Convener of the Place, Neighbourhood & Corporate Assets Committee said: “There will be a feast of switch-on events and celebrations taking place in the coming weeks as we count down the days to Christmas.

“I’m pleased the Council is once again working with a range of local organisations to support festive fun locally.”

The latest switch-on times (please check locally for details of each event and any changes) are: Bishopbriggs, Thursday, November 28 at 5pm; Lennoxtown, Friday, November 29 at 5pm; Milton of Campsie, Friday, November 29 at 5.45pm; Torrance, Friday, November 29 at 7pm; Kirkintilloch, Saturday, November 30 at 5pm; Milngavie, Saturday, November 30 at 5pm, Bearsden town centre, Saturday, November 30, 6pm and Lenzie, Saturday, December 7 at 5.30pm.

In addition, local charity Creative Care - based at Brackenbrae House, Bishopbriggs - will once again be holding its popular Victorian Christmas events.

This year they will take place on 30 November/1 December and 7/8 December, between 10am and 5pm.

This will including a chance to meet Mr and Mrs Claus, Christmas crafts and more.

There will also be carols  by candlelight at the front  door at 5pm on Sunday 8  December.

Councillor Hendry added: “These events help to bring people together to start the seasonal celebrations - supporting local retailers and hostelries into the bargain.

“I’m delighted to confirm that charges will be suspended in all seven Council  car parks for the four Saturdays in the run-up to Christmas Day.

“I would encourage as many people as possible to shop local where possible - especially in the countdown to Christmas - helping to boost the local economy and support local jobs and businesses.”

Scotland’s Towns Week takes place from 18-24 November and Small Business Saturday is on 7 December - both of which aim to support town centres across the country.

Visit https://smallbusinesssaturdayuk.com and www.scotlandstowns.org/scotlands-towns-week for more information.

The council warns that to ensure public safety, the Council’s community wardens will still be enforcing parking regulations and restrictions for any vehicles parked inappropriately (on-street and off-street) - including Blue Badge misuse - on the four Saturdays when charges will be  suspended.