THOUSANDS of people will gather in George Square this weekend as Glasgow's festive celebrations get underway.

The city's seasonal lights switch-on will be held on Sunday, marking the start of Glasgow Loves Christmas.

Just over 13,000 people secured tickets for the hugely popular event, which marks the start of the city's countdown to Christmas.

As well as live entertainment from some of the stars of this year’s pantomimes in Glasgow, the crowds will also see the Lord Provost of Glasgow, Sadie Docherty, and 9 year-old Josh Dolan from Castlemilk push the button to light up George Square.

The ballot for tickets for the event received more than 266,000 applications meaning George Square could have been filled more than 20 times over.

Evening Times columnist Michelle McManus, who is appearing as Peter Pan's Magical Mermaid, will be among those performing on the night.

She will be joined by Shiverin Sheiks, Fun Box, Paddy and William and Glasgow University vocal group, Choral Stimulation – who appeared on The Naked Choir with Gareth Malone

Entry to the event is by ticket only. Each ticket permits access for one person only and all adults and children of all ages must have a ticket to gain access to George Square.

Gates open at 5pm and will close at 6.45pm, just ahead of the switch-on.

There will be significant road closures in operation for the event from 6am to around midnight. These will include the whole of Cochrane Street, Dundas Lane and Hanover Street.

A 'no waiting or loading' enforcement will also be in operation tomorrow (Saturday) from 4pm till 23.59pm on Sunday including Nelson Mandela Place and parts of Ingram Street.

This year, for the first time, the event will be broadcast on STV Glasgow’s The Riverside Show presenters David Farrell and Jennifer Reoch.

Lord Provost of Glasgow Sadie Docherty said: “Demand for this event is staggering and I hope everyone who beat the odds and received tickets comes along and has a fantastic night as we celebrate the start of Glasgow Loves Christmas.

"Last year, despite so many people being disappointed by not receiving tickets, around 15 percent were unused meaning many more people could have enjoyed this fantastic occasion. I’m looking forward to what will be a fantastic occasion and to meeting Josh as we switch on the Christmas Lights.”

Paisley's festive lights switch on will take place tomorrow (Saturday) headlined by 2014 X Factor winner Ben Haenow.

This year's event will double up as the public launch of the town’s UK City of Culture bid.

Glasgow on Ice will return to George Square on Friday, November 27 and runs until December 31 and tickets are now on sale.

Glasgow will also welcome the return of the Style Mile Carnival on Sunday November 22, the Santa Dash, Baby’s First Christmas, St Andrew’s Day, the Blessing of the Crib and the Christmas Markets.

For more information on all festive events in Glasgow go to www.glasgowloveschristmas.com

Full list of road closures

From 6am to 23:59hrs on Sunday

Anchor Lane, for its whole length

Cochrane Street, for its whole length

Dundas Lane, for its whole length

Dundas Street, between West George Street and Dundas Lane

George Square (east part), for its whole length

George Square (north part), for its whole length

George Square (south part), for its whole length

George Square (west part), for its whole length

George Street, between Montrose Street and George Square

Hanover Street, for its whole length

John Street, between Ingram Street and Martha Street

Martha Street, for its whole length

Montrose Street (Northbound), between Ingram Street and Cochrane Street

Nelson Mandela Place (north part), for its whole length

Nelson Mandela Place (south part), for its whole length

North Frederick Street, for its whole length

North Hanover Street, between George Square and Queen Street Station vehicle access

South Frederick Street, for its whole length

West George Street, between West Nile Street and George Square

5pm to 10pm

Montrose Street (Southbound), between George Street and Ingram Street

6am to 8am

Ingram Street, (West bound) between Queen Street and Glassford Street

Queen Street, between Ingram Street and George Square

6.30pm to 8.30pm

Ingram Street, (West bound) between Queen Street and Glassford Street

Queen Street, between Ingram Street and George Square

No waiting and loading

From 4pm on Saturday to 23.59hrs on Sunday

Anchor Lane, both sides, for its whole length

Cochrane Street, both sides, for its whole length

Dundas Lane, both sides, for its whole length

Dundas Street, both sides, between West George Street and Dundas Lane

George Square (east part), both sides, for its whole length

George Square (north part), both sides, for its whole length

George Square (south part), both sides, for its whole length

George Square (west part), both sides, for its whole length

George Street, both sides, between Montrose Street and George Square

Hanover Street, both sides, for its whole length

Ingram Street, both sides, between Queen Street and Montrose Street

Montrose Street, both sides, between Ingram Street and George Street

Nelson Mandela Place (north part), both sides, for its whole length

Nelson Mandela Place (south part), both sides, for its whole length

North Frederick Street, both sides, between George Square and Cathedral Street

North Hanover Street, both sides, between George Square and Cathedral Street

Queen Street, both sides, for its entire length