Glasgow Loves Christmas is the official celebration of the festive season in the city centre. It involves a series of events, starting with the turning on of the Christmas lights in George Square and culminating in the new, family-friendly Hogmanay celebrations. As our streets swell with shoppers, the most obvious manifestation of the festivities are the Christmas markets at St Enoch Square and George Square.
When they began, it felt like something of a token gesture. Christmas markets are not a new occurrence in other cities but it has taken a while for Glasgow’s offering to feel like a fully-realised idea.
Now the food, market stalls and entertainment provide plenty of fun opportunities to enjoy a few hours wandering between the temporary structures. They’ve established themselves as a colourful place to get into the spirit of the season before returning to the retail fray in search of presents for friends and family.
Next year we’d like to see more stalls and attractions in other locations to spread that Christmas cheer alongside lots of tasty winter food. Offer more space for local traders to sell their products. Give us hog roast buns, German sausage hot dogs, crepes, homemade fudge and mulled wine on every street corner, at least for a couple of weeks.
Glasgowist took in the sights and sounds of the market in front of City Chambers.
Pictures by Paul Gallagher
