Dunfermline Christmas lights to be switched on tomorrow

Apart from the sight of a huge group of Santas dashing down the High Street, there will be a parade, pipe bands, music and songs before the Provost of Fife, Jim Leishman, illuminates the city.

The City of Dunfermline area convenor, Councillor James Calder, said: "The first Christmas lights switch-on since achieving city status will be a huge event for Dunfermline.

"We will see a small business market at the Maygate, the Santa Dash, festive music and a parade before the Provost conducts the switch-on.

"It should be a great day for families and I am looking forward to being there with mine.

"It will be great to see a big crowd of people there to enjoy the events and support our local businesses in the run-up to Christmas."

Kingdom FM will be stationed at the gap site on High Street from 1-6pm, the small business market on Maygate will be running at the same time, and the Rotary Club of Dunfermline's Santa Dash – from outside Marks and Spencer to the Louise Carnegie Gates – starts at 2pm.

From 1.30-5pm, there will be festive music and songs from Dunfermline & District Pipe Band, the Black Watch Cadet Band, Salvation Army, St Columba’s High School Singers and Limelight Productions.

These groups will rotate to entertain the crowds at four sites: M&S; High Street/Guildhall Street; Maygate/St Catherine's Wynd; and the Louise Carnegie Gates (next to the Christmas tree).

All the community parade participants will gather at the Viewfield Terrace car park at 4.15pm and it will process down High Street, led by Dunfermline & District Pipe Band and including groups like the Men's Shed and Salvation Army, from 4.35-4.50pm.

It will stop at the gap site and the Provost will address the crowds before flicking the switch and turning on the Christmas lights between 4.50-5pm.

Burntisland First Aiders will be on hand and their ambulance will be located in the Maygate area.

The 'lost children' area will be at the Kingdom FM roadshow at the gap site.