Cowley brothers and panto stars to switch on Lincoln Christmas lights this week

Lincoln City heroes Danny and Nicky Cowley will join TV panto stars and thousands of joyous locals in officially switching on the city’s Christmas lights this Friday.

High Street

The annual celebrations will begin from 5pm on Friday, November 17 along Lincoln High Street with rides and activities on City Square.

The big High Street switch-on will take place at 7pm.

Danny and Nicky Cowley. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

Doing the honours will be the Imps’ Cowley brothers, singer Andy Abraham and Sandi Bogle from TV’s Gogglebox.

The festive event will be hosted by the Mayor of Lincoln Councillor Chris Burke and the council’s Civic Party.

Also taking to the stage will be the cast of New Theatre Royal’s Aladdin pantomime.

The Lincoln Salvation Army Band will be playing a selection of Christmas carols ahead of the traditional procession by members of the Civic Party, councillors and Freemen from the Guildhall to the stage in front of the High Street War Memorial.

St Marks Shopping Centre

St Marks. Photo: Steve Smailes for The Lincolnite

The St Marks Christmas lights will be switched on at 6.15pm on Friday, November 17 by the stars of the Lincoln Drill Hall Jack and the Beanstalk pantomime and Lincs FM’s John Marshall.

Live entertainment will be provided by Lincs FM from 5pm with music, children’s entertainment and a snow cannon.

Waterside Shopping Centre

Waterside Shopping Centre in Lincoln.

Live entertainment will kick off at Waterside Shopping Centre from 7pm with a stage compered by Lincs FMs Rob Hammond.

The countdown to the centre’s big lights switch on will be at 7.30pm with Rob, Sandi and Andy and all the stars from the Aladdin panto.

Also making an appearance will be Santa himself!

Late night shopping and free parking

Shops across the city centre will stay open late for shopping after the lights go on until 8pm, and shoppers can also benefit from free parking between 5pm and 9pm at City of Lincoln Council car parks, University of Lincoln, St. Marks Car Park.

The first shoppers to use the new Lincoln Central car park off St Mary’s Street will get a bumper 12 hours of free parking.