Residents and visitors in their thousands flocked to Paisley town centre to enjoy this years’ Christmas Lights spectacle.
Families enjoyed a full day of free fun, with official estimate of visitors to the town though to be as high as 27,000.
Renfrewshire’s Provost Lorraine Cameron was helped by 11-year-old Skye Thomson, a pupil from Paisley’s Heriot Primary School who won the annual Christmas card design competition to carry out the big switch on.
Earlier in the day a glittering parade with hundreds of tinsel-clad youngsters and Santa Claus and his reindeers wound its way through the town centre.
Many families got an early start on Christmas shopping with the town centre shops open for business and The Urban Market at Paisley Abbey.
The main stage featured entertainment from Capital FM DJs Des Clarke, Steven Mill and Garry Spence, with performances from family favourites Funbox, while the Princesses of Pop paid tribute to the music of Ariana Grande and Little Mix.
X-Factor stars The Cutkelvins entertained the crowds just before the big Christmas countdown.
Provost Cameron said: “The Paisley Christmas Lights Switch-On is one of the big events in the winter calendar and this year didn’t disappoint.
“It was great to see so many families and young people coming into the town centre to mark the start of the festive season and take part in all the activities on offer.
“I’d like to take this chance to wish everyone a peaceful and Merry Christmas when it comes.”
The winter event thrills will also extend across Renfrewshire with Christmas Lights Switch-Ons in Renfrew on Saturday 24th November and Johnstone on Saturday 1st December.
Paisley First’s WinterFest also opens in the town centre on 24th November and runs daily until 30th December, except for Christmas Day.