Festive fun: Lincoln Christmas lights switch-on this Friday

Lincoln will be full of festive spirit at the city’s Christmas lights switch-on on Friday.

The City of Lincoln Council event will start at 5.30pm on November 22 at the St Benedict’s war memorial on the High Street, including performances from Ady Lee and Peter Brown and the Salvation Army Band.

The lights that decorate Lincoln’s High Street will be switched on by the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Sue Burke at around 7.05pm.

The Mayor will be joined by Prank Patrol star and Blue Peter presenter Barney Harwood, CBBC’s Yonko (Chris Johnson) and star of ITV’s The Voice, Zoe Hedge.

On the day there will be free parking from 4pm-9.30pm at all of the downhill city council car parks when using the Paybyphone app.

Switch-on event running order

Ady Lee and Peter Brown will entertain the crowd at 5pm before a performance by the Salvation Army Band at 5.10pm.

Ady and Peter will return to the stage to perform before the Salvation Army Band performs Christmas carols at around 5.40pm.

Bishop King CE Primary School Choir will sing Christmas carols soon after. Lincoln Amateur Operatic & Dramatic Society will perform Christmas songs at around 6pm.

iDance dance group will perform at 6.20pm before the Drill Hall’s pantomime cast is introduced.

The Civic Procession will depart the Guildhall at around 6.45pm. As it approaches the stage, the Salvation Army Band will play the Processional Carol.

Lincoln’s New Theatre Royal pantomime cast will then deliver a short performance before BBC Radio Lincolnshire presenters Scott Dalton and Su Whitaker count down to the switch-on. The Mayor will then press the button to officially turn on the 2019 Christmas Lights.

The Civic Procession back to the Guildhall will be at around 7.15pm and the Salvation Army Band will play more carols.

The Waterside Shopping Centre is also hosting a Christmas lights switch-on.

Entertainment will start from 6pm, including Streetz Beatz Dancers and the Orpheus Male Choir. The stars of Cinderella will be on stage at 6.50pm before Santa at 7pm. There will also be an appearance from Robin Hood at 7.20pm before the switch-on at 7.30pm.

The pantomime starts will be available to sign autographs between 7.50pm-8pm, with the centre’s stores staying open until 9pm.

There will also be a switch-on at St Marks Shopping Centre. The evening kicks off at St Marks Shopping Centre with children’s entertainment and live music starting from 4.45pm.

It will be hosted by John Marshall from Lincs FM and the lights across the centre will be switched on at 6.30pm.

Shops in Lincoln will be keeping doors open later from Friday. This year, the late night shopping has moved to Friday nights, but there are still some Thursday and Saturday nights in the calendar too.

Santa and his reindeer will be taking time out of their busy schedule to meet the people of Lincoln later this month too.