🎉 Wee Weekender | 14–15 November – Lights, Panto & Puppet Magic! ✨🎄🎭

Hello Wee Weekenders! 👋

The Christmas lights are coming on all over the place this weekend. Paisley, Blantyre, Carluke and East Kilbride are all flicking the switch.

If you'd rather stay cosy, there's a Wizard of Oz panto, glove puppet shows with Clive, and a Ms Rachel tribute for your wee ones. There's also a night ride on a vintage bus, and a Friday morning library rave if you fancy an early start.

It's a big list this week, so here's what's on 👇

🎤 Fun For Little Ones – A Tribute To Ms Rachel

If your house already knows every Ms Rachel song, this one's for you. It's a live stage show with singing, puppets, on-screen animation and lots of audience joining in. Expect plenty of little ones singing along.

📍 The Town House Hamilton, Hamilton
⏰ Sunday 15 November, 2:30pm
💷 £20 adult / £17 child / £70 family (plus £1.50 transaction fee)
👉 More info

🎄 Paisley Christmas Lights Switch On

Christmas starts in Paisley! It's a free day of live music, street theatre, craft workshops, a funfair and a festive film screening. At 6pm Santa and the Provost switch on the lights, with music from Skipinnish. Keep an eye out for the Bad Santas.

📍 Abbey Close, Paisley
⏰ Saturday 14 November, 1pm–6pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

📚 CBeebies Bedtime Story Read and Rave

It's a bedtime story, but it's 10am and everyone's dancing. The Mitchell Library is hosting a live stream of the CBeebies stars, turned into a proper party. A free and easy way to start the weekend a day early.

📍 The Mitchell Library and Theatre, Glasgow City Centre
⏰ Friday 13 November, 10am
💷 Free
👉 More info

🎭 Wizard Of OZ Pantomime

Follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy and Auntie Em. You'll meet a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, a very cowardly Lion and some not-so-friendly witches. There are well-known songs, silly jokes and plenty of shouting back at the stage.

📍 St Brendans RC Church, Glasgow West End
⏰ Saturday 14 November, 3pm / Sunday 15 November, 3:30pm
💷 £0–£8.13
👉 More info

❄️ Snow Queen

Clive Chandler brings Hans Christian Andersen's classic to life with glove puppets. It's a lovely wintry story that suits wee ones. There are colour-in and cut-out puppet kits in the café from an hour before and after the show.

📍 Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, Glasgow West End
⏰ Saturday 14 November, 11am / 2pm
💷 £7.50–£7.95
👉 More info

🎅 Blantyre Christmas Lights Switch On & Festive Market

This one has loads going on. There's a Christmas market, a brass band, stories with Mrs Claus, a sensory room and a pizza truck. The first 200 kids through the door get goodie bags, so get there early. The big switch-on is at 4:30pm.

📍 Blantyre Leisure Centre, Blantyre
⏰ Saturday 14 November, from 1pm (lights on at 4:30pm)
💷 Free
👉 More info

🌱 Jack And The Beanstalk

Clive's back on Sunday, with a puppet show about a boy with a giant problem. It's funny enough that the grown-ups will enjoy it too. Colour-in puppet and mask crafts are in the café from 10am, before and after each show.

📍 Scottish Mask and Puppet Centre, Glasgow West End
⏰ Sunday 15 November, 11am / 2pm
💷 £7.50–£7.95
👉 More info

🌟 Carluke Christmas Lights Switch On

Expect chart hits and Christmas classics from the Abbey Road Christmas Show, plus local dancers and the KC Community Choir. The Grinch, Elf on the Shelf, stilt walkers and a balloon twister will all be there. Santa pops in too, then the lights go on at 5pm.

📍 Carluke (see website for venue)
⏰ Saturday 14 November, lights on at 5pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

🚌 Twilight Buses

Vintage buses after dark is a great one for bus-mad kids. You get free rides between Bridgeton Bus Garage and the city centre as the light fades. There's also a bus driving simulator, PlayStation games and a café. Under 3s go free.

📍 Glasgow Vintage Vehicle Trust, Glasgow East End
⏰ Saturday 14 November, 2pm–7pm
💷 Adult £6 / Concession £5 / Child £4 / Family £17 / Carer £2
👉 More info

🎁 Johnstone Christmas Market

A friendly local market, perfect for ticking off a few gifts. There's handmade crafts, home bakes and hot drinks from a coffee horsebox. Kids can get their face painted and visit Santa's Grotto.

📍 Johnstone (see website for venue)
⏰ Saturday 14 November, 10am–3pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

🍕 Big Feed x Paisley Christmas Market

Bring your appetite. This street food market has pizza, hotdogs, loaded fries, Thai food and sweet treats. It runs all afternoon and into the evening. It's right beside the Paisley lights switch-on, so you could easily do both.

📍 Abbey Close, Paisley
⏰ Saturday 14 November, 12pm–8pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

💡 East Kilbride Village Christmas Lights Switch On

Sunday's lights go on in East Kilbride, with the Abbey Road Christmas Show and the KC Community Choir. Local dancers perform too. The Grinch and Elf on the Shelf are around, and Santa makes an appearance. The lights switch on at 5pm.

📍 East Kilbride Village (see website for venue)
⏰ Sunday 15 November, lights on at 5pm
💷 Free
👉 More info

That's your weekend sorted, Wee Weekenders! 🎄

Whether you're after a panto, a puppet show or a wee wander to see the lights go on, there's plenty here.

Wrap the kids up warm and maybe pack a flask. Chips and hot chocolate may also be needed.

Catch you next week,
Wee Weekender 💛