The city council has reviewed its offering and is working on “a new approach to winter events”. It comes as George Square, which usually hosts the Christmas lights switch-on and a market, is closed for refurbishment.
Instead, events are planned in Glasgow Green and St Enoch Square, which will be run by the company behind M&D’s theme park after a contract was approved today (Thursday).
Councillors signed off on the recommendation of officials to agree a deal with Lochview Theme Park (Scotland) Ltd — which runs ‘Scotland’s Theme Park’ at Strathclyde Park.
It was one of four firms to bid for the contract after the council sought applications to run two ‘hubs’ in 2025 and 2026.
The city’s Christmas events are organised by the council and its culture and leisure arm Glasgow Life, which is leading on a new “lighting experience”. It ties in with the city’s 850th birthday celebrations.
A spokesperson for Glasgow Life said: “Glasgow’s Christmas lights are a much-loved tradition and this year we’re doing things a little differently.
“With ongoing works at George Square, we have the opportunity to reimagine the city’s festive lights through a brand-new trail across the city centre. Talented artists have already been shortlisted and we’re working with them on the next stage of their creations. More details will be shared soon.”
They added: “People who live in Glasgow, and many thousands who visit during the Christmas period, can look forward to a magical experience that will bring festive sparkle to different parts of the city centre.”
The deal to provide the two Christmas hubs will see a set fee paid to the council for the rights over each year of the contract, the advert stated.
A council report added the local authority will receive “significant revenue income”, but it is not reporting the value due to the “commercial sensitivity of the information”.
Officials were looking for a “single concessionaire who can provide creative, innovative proposals for the delivery of festive ‘winter hub’ attractions within Glasgow city centre and at Glasgow Green”.
The providers will be responsible for the “design and build of the winter hubs along with the recruitment and management of all vendors throughout the contract period”.
The report by officials added the council is “moving away from that of a traditional Christmas market delivered previously to a festive winter hubs approach”.
It stated the new vision will provide “a more coherent approach to winter, bringing together commercial, civic and community events under a single umbrella to attract visitors, engage citizens and support city centre vibrancy”.
“These key festive attractions will serve to attract visitors from the city and beyond into the city centre, encourage dwell time there and promote subsequent additional visits to the city’s retail and hospitality sectors,” the report continued.
“It will have a broad appeal and be firmly family focused with attractions for all age groups.”
The contract will run from October 2025 to January 2027.