IT’S beginning to look a lot like Christmas as towns and cities across Scotland hold their annual lights switch-on events.

Santa and his sleigh will ride into Paisley on Saturday to lead a 300-strong parade through the town. This year’s parade, which has a new extended route, is set to wow spectators with festive floats, costumed characters and choreographed displays from community groups and professional performers.

Renfrewshire’s provost Lorraine Cameron said: “Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On is a fantastic family day out with plenty of opportunities to get the whole family in the festive mood.

“This year’s event is even bigger with a longer parade route and children’s activities taking place in the stunning Coats Venue.

“It’s sure to attract lots of visitors to the town centre and encourage people to see what fantastic festive goodies they can get their hands on in some of our great local businesses.”

Coats Venue will be transformed into a Christmas playground with activities like letter-writing to Santa, card making, face painting, soft play and more. Little ones will also be able to meet Santa himself in the Piazza Shopping Centre grotto.

A new addition to the event will be the Winter Roller Disco in County Square, which will offer six sessions throughout the day.

And the live stage will offer plenty of music and entertainment with performances from Funbox, The Singing Santas and special guest headliners, X Factor stars Reggie ‘N’ Bollie.

For more traditional celebrations, visitors can head to Paisley Abbey to watch local community and school choirs.

The big finale moment of the day will be the switch-on moment which will take place at the live stage at 6pm.

This year the lights will extend to the top of the High Street leading to a giant illuminated Christmas bauble, in partnership with Paisley First. The bauble will be located in the grounds of Coats venue offering visitors a festive selfie spot.