November December 2019 Westender Magazine

26 | www.westendermagazine.com
Top Things To Do
in the West End
by Tracy Mukherjee
Top For Festive Festivals
The West End celebrates the coming of winter
with some fabulous entertainment for all the
family. Take a wander to Ashton Lane on 1st
December for the Winter Wonderland. The
lane will be transformed into the North Pole;
there might even be a visit from Santa himself!
The kids will love to get into the feel of this most
magical of seasons, especially as, rumour has
it Elsa and Olaf from Frozen might be making
a guest appearance. Expect a fair few festive
food stalls serving warming goodies on a cold
December day. If that isn’t enough, why not
take a weight off in one of Ashton Lane’s many
welcoming taverns and listen to the Christmas
choirs that are taking part in this fantastic day?
Meanwhile along on Vinicombe Street it’s time
for the Christmas Lights Switch On. As well as
Vinicombe Street, Cresswell and Ruthven Lane
will also be joining in on the 1st December with
Christmas shenanigans beginning at noon. There
will be entertainment all day on the main stage
and in the lanes all leading up to the big switch
on at 5.30pm.
If you still have some festive spirit left over, head
along to the Riverside Museum on 7th and 8th
December for the museum’s annual Christmas
Festival. With traditional Christmas markets
lining the resident Victorian street, you may well
happen upon Mr Scrooge! There will be Victorian
fairground rides and free carousels, so this is
definitely not one to miss.
Winter Wonderland at Ashton Lane
Sun 1st Dec, 12 – 6pm
fb:Winter Wonderland at Ashton Lane
West End Christmas Lights Switch On, Sun
1st December, 11am - 6pm, Vinicombe St,
fb:West End Christmas Lights Switch On
Riverside Christmas Festival,
Sat 7th - Sun 8th Dec, 11am - 4pm,
Riverside Museum, Pointhouse Place
fb:Riverside Museum
Top for Christmas Magic
We’ve long been aware that Kelvingrove Museum
is a magical place, but this December experience
the magic up close as Kelvingrove is transformed
into the spectacle that is Elfingrove. Events
company ITISON have made a spectacular
success of Halloween’s GlasGLOW; but now
(with the help of Santa obviously) visitors will be
able to have a magical night at the museum too.
The show promises a 70-90 minute tour of the
museum with light and sound installations not to
mention the big Magic of Christmas finale. There
is even a mystical ancient secret to be revealed
as you make your way through the museum’s
ethereal glow…
The event is a super addition to our many
Christmas staples. Roll on December and
prepare to be dazzled!
Elfingrove, Kelvingrove Museum and
Art Galleries, Thurs 5th – Mon 23rd Dec
w:itison.com/elfingrove
Top for Christmas Present
It’s Good 2 Give may not be a charity well known
here in the west, but it’s one that’s making
waves across Scotland. The charity supports
young cancer patients and their families in many
ways not least of which through their stunning
Ripple retreat set on the glorious shores of Loch
Venachar in Loch Lomond National Park.
In support of the tremendous work this charity
does, the inaugural Glasgow Blingo will be
taking place in January at the Radisson Blu
Hotel. This sparkling ladies lunch is a chance
to dress up with the gals for a fizzy drinks
reception, followed by a sumptuous three course
meal. Included in your ticket is some superb
entertainment throughout the afternoon and of
course, eyes down for the main event – BINGO!!!
There really is very little anyone needs at
Christmas these days when we can buy buy buy