Loughborough is getting ready for the switching-on of the town’s Christmas lights on Sunday November 21.
The event, which is organised by Charnwood Borough Council, will be a day of festive fun including an arts and craft fair, children’s fairground rides and musical performances.
Festivities take place in the Market Place between 11am and 7pm, with the switching on of the lights at 5pm.
There will be a charity market in the town centre from 11am as well as a food court, craft and retail market and fairground rides.
People can also visit The Sock Christmas Arts and Crafts Fair which will be at the Loughborough Town Hall between 11am and 5pm.
The main stage will come alive at 1.15pm with performances by local school and performance groups including Pauline Quirke Academy, BrightLights and St Botolph’s Primary School.
The running order for the stage is as follows:
1.15pm – St Botolph’s Primary School
1.45pm – CTC (Christchurch Theatre Club)
2.00pm – Ruth Chomik
2.15pm – LAOS
2.45pm – Ioni Ashford
3.00pm – The Festival Players
3.15pm – BrightLights Theatre School
3.45pm – Greasepaint Productions
4.15pm – Pauline Quirke Academy
4.45pm – Loughborough Town Hall panto cast
5.00pm – Lights are switched on
5.10pm – LSU Tuxedo Swing
Children’s face painters, reenactors and a magician will also be in the Market Place from 1pm.
The Christmas lights will be switched on by the cast of this year’s Loughborough Town Hall panto, Aladdin.
The Tuxedo Swing Band from Loughborough University’s Students Union will then take over the stage with entertainment until 6pm.
The food court will also be open until 7pm so people can enjoy live music while alongside some festive food and drink.
Cllr Jenny Bokor, the Council’s lead member for Loughborough said: “As last year’s event could not go ahead, it will be great to once again welcome people into the town centre for our lights switch-on. The event is a fantastic way to get the whole family in the Christmas spirit!
“There will be a wide range of things to see and do throughout the afternoon to help keep the family entertained. From live musical performances and fairground rides to the arts and crafts fair in the Town Hall.
“We’re also really looking forward to welcoming the cast of this year’s panto Aladdin who will be switching this year’s lights on!”
People attending the lights switch-on are being encouraged to follow current public health advice including getting both doses of the Covid-19 vaccine, washing and sanitising their hands frequently and making use of free lateral flow tests, particularly before and after the event.
Visitors are also being advised to expect crowds of people in the town centre and may want to consider wearing a face covering in crowded areas or enclosed spaces.
More information about this year’s lights switch-on event can be found at www.charnwood.gov.uk/lborolights.
Send us your photos from the switch-on using the hashtag #LboroLights21 on Twitter or commenting on our Facebook page.
ENDS