Winterfest Glasgow 2007 Key Announcements:
· All of Glasgow’s favourite festive celebrations brought together for the first time as Winterfest Glasgow
· Tickets for Glasgow’s Christmas Lights switch on are released on Saturday 9 October. Demand will be high and tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis.
· Imaginative new Glasgow on Ice rink design for George Square
· Amy Macdonald announced as the main Glasgow Hogmanay act
· The launch of the Winterfest website , a newly developed website where information on all the festive events is brought together in one place.
· The new Shindig in the Square celebrating St Andrew’s Day with a free ceilidh in George Square.
Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture, Linda Fabiani said:
“Scotland's Winter Festivals show that Scotland has much to offer all year round, both to visitors and to those who live here.
“Through the winter time there is plenty to celebrate, from St Andrew's Day to Hogmanay, Up Helly Aa to Burns Night - our winter festivals highlight Scotland’s wonderful culture and demonstrate our fun-loving nature at its best.”
Councillor Robert Winter, Lord Provost Glasgow City Council, said:
“Winterfest Glasgow 2007 includes all the holiday favourites from the spectacular switch-on of the Christmas lights to the fun of the Festive Markets. The city’s events attract visitors from across the world who come to Glasgow to sample our warm hospitality and visit our wonderful attractions.
“The programme is indeed a Flurry of Festive Fun.”
Bailie Liz Cameron, Chair of Culture & Sport Glasgow, said:
“Culture & Sport Glasgow is delighted to be organising Winterfest Glasgow 2007 on behalf of Glasgow City Council. We are all looking forward to enjoying these wonderful events.”
Steven Purcell, Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Leader of Glasgow City Council, said:
“Glasgow’s year-round events and entertainment programme means that there is always something to see and do no matter when you visit. And this is particularly true of the festive season.
“The Winterfest programme is full of fresh and exciting initiatives, which should help ensure that the city’s shops, bars, restaurants and hotels do great business during the critical Christmas trading period.”
The Winterfest Programme
Winterfest Glasgow, with main sponsor the Scottish Government, presents Glasgow’s Christmas Lights, Glasgow on Ice, Glasgow’s Hogmanay, Radiance, Festive Markets, Santa’s Grotto and more. The all new Shindig in the Square celebrating St Andrew’s Day is also guaranteed to set the pulses racing.
Sunday 18 November 2007
The fun starts with the flick of a switch as the stunning Glasgow’s Christmas lights are illuminated in George Square. The switch-on is a much-loved family tradition as George Square lights up, heralding the arrival of the festive season.
Glasgow’s Christmas Lights Tickets are released this weekend, entry is by free ticket only with a maximum of 4 tickets per household. Demand will be high and tickets will be allocated on a first come first served basis. See the Winterfest website for full details.
Tickets will be released online and by phone 08444 77 77 00 from 9am on Saturday 13 October and Saturday 27 October. Glasgow’s Christmas Lights tickets can also be secured in person from 9am on Saturday 13 October and Saturday 27 October at the Ticketmaster outlet in Buchanan Galleries.
Saturday 24 November 2007 – Sunday 6 January 2008
Glaswegians and visitors to the city are set to experience a radical change to the design of Glasgow on Ice in George Square. For the first time ever, skaters will be able to glide on the new style ice rink created around the base of the Sir Walter Scott column. Towering 80 foot above the revellers, Sir Walter will look down upon those celebrating the festive season on skates as they circle the base of the famous landmark in the heart of the city.
Monday 31 December 2007
Party goers are being invited to ring out the old and bring in the new with the best in Scottish music at Glasgow’s Hogmanay party. Following her huge success at T in the Park and on the back of a UK tour, Scotland’s very own Amy Macdonald will be joining the party and wowing the George Square crowd.
Amy will be joined by more top artists for a night of excellent entertainment. New acts are due to be announced in the coming weeks.
St Andrew’s Day, Friday 30 November 2007
Shindig in the Square, in association with the Scottish Government, will transform George Square into a sea of Saltires as Glasgow honours St Andrew’s Day with a celebratory ceilidh. Everyone is invited to grab their partner and dance the night away at this exciting free event.
Friday 23 November – Sunday 25 November 2007
Radiance, Glasgow’s biennial International Festival of Light returns to the city centre this year. To see buildings transformed by the installation of light, follow the trail through the Merchant City, the Commercial District, Strathclyde University Campus and High Street.
For the first time ever in the UK, the work of international artist Xavier de Richmont can be seen as he transforms all of Glasgow Cathedral into a modern day mural.
Saturday 24 November – Monday 24 December 2007
Always a favourite with children, both young and young at heart, Santa’s grotto brings the spirit of giving to Winterfest Glasgow. Santa’s back and everyone is welcome to visit his magical grotto, complete with his helpful elves.
Full details of all the Winterfest Glasgow events are available at the Winterfest website, and a downloadable version of the full Winterfest Glasgow programme is also available.