Northampton’s rescheduled Christmas Lights Switch On takes place this Saturday

Northampton's annual Christmas Lights Switch on is set to take place this Saturday, 30th November, between 12 – 6pm at the Market Square, with a day of free, festive fun for all the family hosted by Northampton Town Council.

Visitors can enjoy a stocking- stuffed afternoon of entertainment from midday, presented by local broadcaster and journalist John Griff, featuring children's entertainers, music from the Northampton Male Voice Choir, The Starlight Sisters and the Fan Club Party Band, along with performances from the Royal Theatre's Christmas Show 'The Jolly Postman.'

A glittering cast of Panto Stars from the Royal & Derngate and The Deco Theatre, including Cbeebies' favourite Andy Day, Britain's Got Talent's Ashley with Sully the dog, plus TV actors Chris Wills and Colin Ridgewell, will be joined onstage by Santa and the Mayor of Northampton ahead of the big switch on at 5pm.

Cllr Jane Birch, Chair of the Community Services Committee at Northampton Town Council, said: "We are looking forward to beginning the countdown to Christmas in Northampton and hosting the switch on at the newly refurbished Market Square.

"There are a few changes to the original entertainment line-up due to the event being rescheduled from last weekend, but we have a full day of seasonal activities and entertainment planned.

"The switch on will illuminate the new Christmas lighting around the town centre and on the Wellingborough Road which the town council has invested in this year. We hope residents and visitors enjoy the festive atmosphere and we will continue to improve and evolve the lighting over the next couple of years."

Other stage acts during the day will include the Dhol Vibes Drummers and a festive favourites sing-along with local singer Hannah Faulkner. Off stage, visitors can party at The Silent Disco Project, take part in Christmas crafts and workshops delivered by The Wild Tribe, enjoy walkabout entertainers, face painting and funfair rides and indulge in various seasonal food and produce stalls, including The V & B Festive Bar.

Visitors can also see Santa Claus in his Grosvenor Centre Grotto, which will be open between 10.30am - 4pm on the 30th November, then every Saturday and Sunday in December prior to Christmas Day, and on Monday 23rd December.

The Grotto is organised by the Northampton Town Centre BID and part funded by Northampton Town Council. Book tickets at the BIDs website: www.discovernorthampton.co.uk/christmas/santas-grotto/

More Christmas cheer awaits on Saturday, 7th December when the town council transforms Becket's Park into a Winter Wonderland for the day, with a Christmas bandstand, stalls, ice rink, Silent Disco, horse and carriage rides, a festive bar and much more. Entry is free, but charges will apply for food, drink, stall produce, funfair rides and face painting.

For more information about the Switch on and Christmas in Becket's Park events, please visit our Christmas in Northampton webpage or social media channels.