Lerwick lights up for Christmas

LERWICK will light up on Saturday afternoon when the town centre switch on parade takes place.

Business group Living Lerwick has strung Christmas lights along Commercial Street and festooned the Market Christmas tree with more illuminations.

Five smaller trees have been dotted about the town centre in the new wooden planters in Harrison Square, outside The Shetland Times bookshop and Harry’s Department Store.

All the local shops have been busy preparing their festive window displays, which will be competing for the most votes.

People can vote online at http://www.livinglerwick.co.uk/winter-festival/best-christmas-window-display/ from Saturday until 7 December.

The Saturday parade kicks off with Santa arriving on the lifeboat at Victoria pier at 3.30pm.

The Peerie Foxes nursery bairns will follow Santa and switch on the Christmas lights with their magic wands as they pass.

This year’s Jarl Squad will be out as part of the parade and the Lerwick brass band will provide music.

The parade starts at Victoria Pier, travels up Church Road, turns into Commercial Street, down Burns Walk, along the Esplanade and finishes up at the Market Cross, where the Christmas tree lights will be switched on to the sound of the brass band.

Road closures will be in place from 3pm to 4.30pm Commercial Street (from Church Road to Commercial Road) and the Esplanade (from the Harbour Street junction to the Market Cross).

Most of the town centre businesses have extended opening hours, and there are lots of events and special offers.

All details can be found on the Living Lerwick website and Facebook page.