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Barrhead’s Winter Glow-Up! A Glow-rious Recap ✨
Barrhead was lit up by twinkly lights and Christmas fun on 22nd November. Let’s take a wee look back at everything that made the very first Barrhead Winter Glow-Up 2025 one to remember!
What. A. Day!
Barrhead was lit up by twinkly lights and Christmas fun on 22nd November. Let’s take a wee look back at everything that made the very first Barrhead Winter Glow-Up 2025 one to remember!
Kicking things off on the main stage was the fantastic Neilston Strings, whose ukulele strumming and festive songs got toes tapping and faces smiling early on. A perfect start to the day!
Santa was back in his grotto, and the wee ones had the chance to meet him and take home a special gift if they were on the nice list. But the Mean Grinch was lurking around too. This year he had his own grotto packed with “stolen” presents, cheeky jokes, and mischief for the kids. After handing out a few dodgy gifts, he slipped into the market, caused chaos among the poor stallholders, and had everyone laughing.
The Christmas Markets were full of treats, handmade goods, and unique finds. Shoppers loved the mix of traditional and quirky stalls, perfect for picking up something a little different.
It wouldn’t be a Barrhead event without the funfair. There were rides and games, prizes to win, and even a few inflatables for the kids to bounce around on and burn off some of that sugary excitement.
Free gingerbread decorating was a big hit, with tables piled high with icing, sprinkles, and budding artists. Over at the free face painting tent, Cherry Face Painting made sure every child left with a colourful festive design and a big smile.
One of the day’s biggest highlights was the return of Artie’s Singing Kettle. From classic Kettle favourites to Christmas singalongs, Artie had the whole crowd joining in, proving just how timeless those tunes are. Following Artie, local singer and songwriter Shawnee McAllister brought her guitar and warmed everyone up with a beautiful set of original songs.
As night fell, Barrhead really glowed up. The lights throughout the town centre sparkled in the dark, creating a magical atmosphere just in time for our headline act.
ili, known to many as Emily Middlemas from The X Factor, closed the show with a stunning performance. Born and raised in East Renfrewshire, ili lit up the stage with heartfelt original music and effortless vocals. She has come a long way since TV screens, and we were proud to welcome her back home.
A massive thank you to everyone who came along, supported local businesses, brought the festive cheer, and helped make this event so special. Now is the perfect time to wander through Barrhead, see the lights, shop local, and keep the glow going. Until next year, Merry Christmas from all of us at All About Barrhead. 🎄
