The bells were ringing out in Inverurie last night as the town officially ushered in the festive season.
Organised by Inverurie Events, there was a whole host of activities on offer, starting in the afternoon with the traditional St Andrew’s Day Parade.
Local pipers marched through the town centre to celebrate Scotland’s patron saint.
Meanwhile, shops set up stalls in Market Place for people to buy goods throughout the day, and the crowds lined the streets from the afternoon to join in on the fun.
The event culminated in the big count down to the switch-on followed by a spectacular fireworks display.
It was all a far cry from a few months ago, when the organisers raised concerns they would not be able to hold the event.
The old set of lights were declared “too far gone” to repair so the group launched an appeal for funds to replace them.
However, following a community fundraising campaign the organisers raised the £20,000 needed to purchase new lights.
Meanwhile, Stonehaven also held its own switch-on event in Market Square on Saturday.
Organised by Stonehaven and District Lions Club, the day began with dancers from the Lindsay School of Dance at 2pm.
Stalls selling food, sweets and other items were open throughout the day, with the town’s land train also in the square.
