Get your skates on!

GEORGE Square's festive ice rink is promising to be bigger and better than it's ever been before.

GEORGE Square's festive ice rink is promising to be bigger and better than it's ever been before.

Outdoor festive film treats

FILM FANS are in for a real festive treat as some of the best Christmas movies are set to be shown on a giant outdoor screen.

George Square will be transformed into a magical cinema from November 26 as part of Winterfest.

The Bing Crosby classic White Christmas will be screened on Christmas Eve with family films Miracle on 34th Street and The Polar Express also part of the line-up.

The Festive Film Nights - which are free - will run on Wednesday evenings until January 7 from 6.30pm until 8.30pm. Benches will be provided.

Romantic comedy The Bishop's Wife, with Cary Grant, will also be shown and the musical Grease will brighten up the New Year on January 7.

A spokesman for Culture and Sport Glasgow said: "This is a unique chance to enjoy some of your favourite Christmas movies under the lights in George Square."

The films will be shown as part of The Big Stage entertainment programme, which runs from this Saturday until January 11.

The Big Stage will also host tea dances on Tuesdays from 1pm to 3pm, The Real Radio Party Night on Fridays from 6pm to 9.30pm and Jazz nights on Saturdays from 5pm to 7pm.

On Monday and Tuesday nights, from 5pm to 7pm, community acts will get to showcase their talents.

And toddlers will be able to join their parents on the ice for the first time - thanks to cute penguins.

In the past, children under the age of four were not allowed on the rink. But when the attraction opens this year they can take advantage of special ice shoes and stabiliser Bobo the Penguin, who can be pushed round the ice by an adult.

The parent and toddler sessions will run at 1pm on Wednesdays, with the child skating for free.

The rink - dubbed Glasgow on Ice - is the highlight of Winterfest, the city council's programme of events to attract visitors and shoppers to the city centre.

Experts are busy creating tons of ice for the attraction which will be set up around the Scott Monument in the middle of George Square and will open on Saturday.

It will sit under the spectacular Christmas lights, which were turned on by Joseph star Craig Chalmers last Sunday.

The ice is being created by laying pipes - similar to those used for underfloor heating - on top of a platform, attaching them to a chiller and then pouring water over the top. As the chiller is turned down the water freezes to create the perfect skating surface.

A total of half-a-million people visited Winterfest events last year, with more than 40,000 venturing on to the ice. This year the 35m by 25m rink will be open for an extra week, allowing skaters to enjoy it well into January.

Stalls selling mulled wine, teas and coffee and Christmas merchandise will be set up in the square to add to the festive atmosphere.

Plus Real Radio's football phone-in will come from the ice rink on Monday with presenters Ewen Cameron and Alan Rough threatening to don skates for an ice challenge.

Also arriving in Glasgow this Saturday is Santa himself. He will be there Monday to Friday from 2pm until 8pm and at weekends from 11am until 8pm until Christmas Eve. A visit costs £7 including a photo and a gift.

George Square will also host a range of other attractions as part of the festival, such as free family fun days every weekend including storytelling, face painting and ice sculptures.

The Royal Scottish National Orchestra Christmas chorus will sing carols on the Sunday before Christmas. Plus the spectacle of hundreds of red-suited Santas running through the city will be seen again with the Santa Dash on Sunday December 14.

Last year 1600 people took part in the 5k charity fun run. To register visit www.glasgow.gov.uk/santadash.

Another popular event, Baby's First Christmas, which sees tots born this year welcomed to a special reception with Lord Provost Bob Winter, is already full.

Mr Winter said: "This year, Winterfest is pulling out all the stops to provide something for the whole family to enjoy."

Other free events in the square include the St Andrew's Day Shindig with a concert on Saturday November 29 from 7pm to 10pm, and the Big Family Ceilidh on November 30 from 4pm to 7pm.

Tickets for the city's Hogmany celebrations, which will also focus on George Square, are still on sale priced £15.