Inverness Christmas lights switch on parade
The Countdown to Christmas gets underway in Inverness on Sunday November 19th as Santa arrives to help Provost Helen Carmichael turn on the city’s dazzling display of Christmas Lights.
Families are invited to meet at Crown Primary School at 5.15pm on the night to take part in the Christmas Torchlight Procession to the Town House with Provost and Santa and host Nicola McAlley of STV. This year’s parade, which will be led by the combined City of Inverness Senior and Youth Pipe Bands and will feature a number of costumed characters, will leave Crown Primary School at 5.45pm and follow the traditional route down Stephen's Brae to the High Street stopping on route to turn on the lights section by section.
The Parade will end outside Inverness Town House where the marchers will be invited to douse their torches before making their way to the Old High Church for the annual Christmas Carol Service - Ding Dong Merrily Old High. The Carol Service will start at 6.30pm and will be led by the Rev Peter W Nimmo, Minister of Old High St Stephen's; and will feature a number of much loved traditional favourites performed by the Joint choir from St Stephen's and the Old High churches.
Councillor Bet McAllister of the Inverness Events and Festivals Working Group said: “Our Christmas Lights Switch On event is undoubtedly one of the highlights of the year for the younger members of our community and we are really looking forward to seeing the excitement in their eyes. There is always something magical about the moment when they get their first glimpse of Santa Claus as he arrives to help the Provost turn on our Christmas Lights.“
Drivers are asked to arrive early in order to use the city centre car parks on the night and are asked to note that the Town House Car Park will be closed during the preparations for the event. A number of temporary traffic restrictions will be in place around Inverness Town House as detailed below.
Bridge Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Castle Road to its junction with High Street, from 17:00 hours to 18:30 hours on Sunday 19 November 2017.
High Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Bridge Street to its junction with Castle Street, from 17:00 hours to 18:30 hours on Sunday 19 November 2017.
Castle Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with High Street to its junction with View Place, from 17:00 hours to 18:30hrs on Sunday 19 November 2017.
Castle Wynd, Inverness, closed at its junction with Bridge Street to its termination, from 17:00 hours to 18:30 hours on Sunday 19 November 2017.
Kingsmills Road, Inverness, closed at its junction with Union Road to its junction with Charles Street, between 17:40 hours and 17:50 hours on Sunday 19 November 2017.
Stephens Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Kingsmills Road to its junction with Stephens Brae, between 17:45 hours and 17:55 hours on Sunday 19 November 2017.
Stephens Brae, Inverness, closed at its junction with Stephens Street to its junction with Eastgate, between 17:45 hours and 17:55 hours on Sunday 19 November 2017.
Eastgate, Inverness, closed at its junction with Stephens Brae to its junction with High Street, between 17:45 hours and 17:55 hours on Sunday 19 November 2017.
High Street, Inverness, closed at its junction with Eastgate to its junction with Bridge Street, between 17:45 hours and 18:00 hours on Sunday 19 November 2017.