EAST 17 TO HEADLINE PRESTON’S CHRISTMAS LIGHTS SWITCH ON

Get ready, Preston, Christmas is coming, and we’re kicking it off in spectacular style. Preston’s huge Christmas Lights Switch On event returns to the Flag Market on Saturday 21st November, with the legendary East 17 headlining a spectacular evening of live music, entertainment, magic, football, pantomime and plenty of festive fun.

The free to attend event, staged by the BID & Smooth Radio North West, together headline partner, the University of Lancashire, gets underway from 5.30pm, bringing families from across Preston and beyond together for one enormous Christmas party.

And who better to close the show than East 17, who will have the crowd captivated with their iconic festive Number One, ‘Stay Another Day’? With 18 Top Twenty hits, including Deep, Steam, Let It Rain and It’s Alright, four Top Ten albums, and more than 140million streams of their festive anthem, East 17 have cemented their place the Christmas charts.

But that’s just the start…

Get ready to turn the clock back to the 90s with Amnesia, a powerhouse five-piece bringing some of the decade’s biggest dancefloor anthems to life… 100% live, no laptops, no decks, just proper instruments.

From Show Me Love and Freed From Desire to Set You Free and Rhythm of the Night, expect hit after hit and enough energy to keep the Flag Market bouncing.

Then we’re preparing for a serious dose of pop fever when Scottish teen sensations Just The Brave hit the stage. Danny, Seany, Fin, Caleb and Rocco have built a huge online following, with millions of hits and fans including Lewis Capaldi, Emeli Sandé and Ronan Keating.

Their infectious pop, perfect harmonies and boundless energy have already earned them appearances across radio and TV, including CBBC, Capital and Virgin.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a Preston Christmas without Santa, who’ll be making a special appearance to help launch our festive season in the city.

There’s something for football fans too, with players from the brilliant Preston North End Women’s team, Champions of the North, joining our celebrations. And, for the first time in years, the cast of Preston’s official pantomime, Cinderella, will make a special appearance with an exclusive preview, created especially for the Switch On audience.

Expect dazzling costumes, catchy songs and all the traditional panto magic; including plenty of audience participation, boos for the baddies and cheers for our heroine.

Kicking off the entertainment will be Preston’s own Peter Gildernew, who will perform a couple of big songs for his adopted home town. Having performed in theatres across Ireland, Peter will bring his trademark energy to the Flag Market and get the Christmas celebrations started in style.

Ever fancied standing on stage in front of your home crowd and helping to switch on Preston’s Christmas lights? Then this could be your moment…

In partnership with Blog Preston, Preston North End Football Club and Preston North End Community & Education Trust, nominations for our ‘Switch On Star’ opens with Blog Preston on November 1st… keep your eyes peeled for this.

The lucky winner will join the evening’s performers on stage to help switch on the lights and become a VIP guest at the event. Plus, they’ll lead the teams out on to the pitch, before kick-off, at the Preston North End v Norwich City on Saturday 28th November!

Mark Whittle from Preston BID said: “The Switch On has been a real highlight in Preston’s calendar for many years, bringing thousands of people into the city centre each year to kick start the festive season in spectacular style.”

“Not only is the event a much loved community celebration, but it’s also an important moment for city centre businesses as the Christmas trading season gets underway.

“In addition to our announced guests and performers, we also have another special guest up our sleeves… all will be revealed on the night!”

The Christmas Lights Switch On event is completely free to attend, thanks to the continued support of Preston city centre businesses, our headline partners, the University of Lancashire, and event supporters, Preston City Council, Street Monkeys, Guild Lounge, Street Monkeys Academy and SpudBros.

University of Lancashire Vice-Chancellor Professor Graham Baldwin OBE DL said: “The Christmas Lights Switch On is a fantastic showcase of Preston’s warmth, ambition and community spirit, which are qualities we are proud to share as the University of Lancashire. We’re especially excited that this year’s event coincides with one of our Open Days, giving prospective students and their families the opportunity to discover our university, explore the city and experience first-hand the vibrant atmosphere that makes Preston such a great place to study, live and build a future.”

With the support of Preston City Council and Lancashire County Council, the BID has arranged free parking from 1.00pm at the bus station, Trinity Square, and Penny Street car parks, on Switch On day, so come in to town early and make a day of it before the show, and stick around for food after it.

There will also be a complimentary parking offer across December, details of which will be published once confirmed by the authorities.

For a more inclusive event, organisers have also confirmed that performances will be signed by a BSL interpreter, thanks to Disability Equality North West.

So gather your family, bring your Christmas spirit and get ready for an unforgettable night.

Preston’s Christmas starts here!