The Lytham Lights Switch-on Event is approaching fast! And here’s what’s happening on the afternoon and evening of Saturday November 18th to celebrate the festive season as a community in the wonderful town of Lytham.
The event promises a wealth of festive fun with street entertainment and a parade during the afternoon, followed by a fabulous show in Lytham Square featuring an amazing array of talented performers.
The organisers want as many shops as possible to share the fun and excitement of Christmas, so there will be dancing groups, musical theatre students, performing arts, music clubs and choirs at various points up and down Clifton Street during the afternoon from 2 p.m.
Santa, The Mayor of Fylde, and The Lytham Town Crier will also be meandering around the town during the afternoon, judging the shop windows from 2 p.m. There will be prizes for best hospitality, retail, and hair and beauty – so traders make sure you get those windows dressed!
Clifton Street will be pedestrianised from 2 p.m. to allow minimal disruption for the main part of the day, then the entertainment will start all the way along the street to encourage shoppers, visitors and residents to feel the atmosphere as we build up to the main event.
This means shopkeepers will feel involved across the vast majority of the town. In fact, this year there are less road closures than in previous years.
At 4 p.m. the lantern parade and community procession starts from outside St Peter’s Church at the bottom of Clifton Street. Welcoming all who join the procession and visitors, the choirs of St Peter’s and St Joseph’s churches will be singing their hearts out from 3 p.m. – 4 p.m. outside St Peter’s Church.
The Lytham Town Crier will walk and lead the sleigh carrying Santa, followed by the Mayor and Consort along with the RNLI lifeboat. The Lytham Rose Queen and her retinue will lead various community groups and residents towards the square to enjoy the show.
You are invited to bring along your lanterns or anything hand held that is safe and lights up!
The traffic management company will reopen Clifton Street as the parade gets closer to the square. The part of Clifton Street between Stringers and the Ship & Royal will remain closed until 8 p.m. to enable room to enjoy the main show.
On arrival at Lytham Square, the fabulous Lytham Community Choir will surround the stage and fill the air with festive tunes, which will lead up to the switch-on of the Christmas lights at 5 p.m.
This year two celebrities will pull the lever as we light up Lytham. Presenter of BBC’s Bargain Hunt, Daniel Sebastian, along with star of EastEnders, Cheryl Fergison, will perform the official Switch-on to make Lytham twinkle.
Our host for the afternoon will be BBC Radio Lancashire’s Graham Liver along with co-host Peter Anthony.
Once we have lit up the town, the entertainment will continue with an array of fabulous artists, performers, and local groups. There will be something for everyone! Just look at the amazing line up which includes:
- The Star Cast Of The Grand Theatre Panto – Britain’s Got Talent Steve Royale And Emmerdale Star Tom Lister.
- Jane Dean, The Shanty Crew, James Kennedy, Scarlet Hackett, The Rock Choir, Jess Hagon, The Cast Of Lowther Pavilion Panto, & Mr Mark Jay.
The festive show and music will conclude at 8 p.m.
Afterwards, visitors are invited to stay and enjoy the ambiance of Lytham Square or head for the Station Pub & Grill who will be hosting an after show party with the band Rubber Giraffe.
The afternoon street performers will include: Lytham Performing Arts Academy, Cre8ive Dance, Skool of Street, Show Choir, Lytham Guitar Club, DJ Paul O’Brien, Dance Etc, and AKS Musical Theatre Students.
The Lytham Lights Team ️hope you will enjoy your Lytham Lights Switch-on event this year and ask that you please join us in thanking all the businesses and people that have contributed to make it happen. ☃️
Can you spot some of the celebrities below who will be on hand to make the day memorable.
