It is one of the favourite - and most glittering - events in the Glasgow Christmas calendar.

Just 10,600 tickets are allocated by ballot to the Christmas lights switch-on in the civic heart of Scotland's biggest city - and now the event is fast-approaching.

Glasgow Loves Christmas is bringing the event back to George Square on Sunday, November 19 to mark the start of the city’s festive celebrations.

Here's everything you need to know about the big night:

TIMINGS
Entry gates to the square, in Cochrane Street and George Street, will open to ticket holders at 4.30pm before musical acts and theatre stars take to the stage.

The event, hosted by Clyde 1 presenters George Bowie and Cassi Gillespie, will start at 5pm when Simply Ariana – an Ariana Grande tribute act – takes to the stage. 

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Scottish country singer-songwriter Kevin McGuire will then grab the microphone before a Scottish Ballet performance of Cinders! and a crowd sing-a-long.

The festive fun will continue when Michelle McManus performs her new single Christmas Glow.

There will then be appearances by Treasure Island cast members from the Pavilion Theatre, Scottish TikTok star Nati Dreddd and the Soul Nation Choir. 

The city’s Christmas lights will be switched on at 7pm.

WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
The 10,600 people who have secured free tickets in this year’s ballot are advised to dress appropriately for the conditions.

With Glasgow’s Christmas lights switch-on drawing thousands of visitors to the city centre, road closures and parking restrictions will be in place.

The north, east, south and west sides of George Square will be closed to traffic from 6am to 11.59pm on Sunday, November 19, along with the following routes:

Anchor Lane, Cochrane Street, Dundas Lane, Dundas Street, George Street (between Shuttle Street and George Square), Hanover Street, John Street, Martha Street, Nelson Mandela Place, North Frederick Street, North Hanover Street, South Frederick Street, West George Street, Ingram Street, Queen Street and St Vincent Place.

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No vehicles will be permitted to wait or load from 4pm on Saturday, November 18 until 11.59pm on Sunday, November 19 in Anchor Lane, Cochrane Street, Dundas Lane, Dundas Street, George Square, George Street, Hanover Street, Ingram Street, Montrose Street, Nelson Mandela Place, North Frederick Street, North Hanover Street, Queen Street, St Vincent Place, South Frederick Street and West George Street.

Bus lanes in North Hanover Street (northbound, between George Square and Cathedral Street), Nelson Mandela Place (between West Nile Street and West George Street) and Ingram Street (eastbound, between Queen Street and South Hanover Street) will be closed from 6.00am-11.59pm on Sunday, November 19.