PLEASE NOTE Worcester City Council has reluctantly decided to cancel the Christmas Light Switch-on entertainment event on Saturday 23 November due to health and safety concerns relating to the adverse weather conditions. The lights will be now switched on at a suitable point during the weekend, when it is safe to do so.
Talented musicians will be taking to the stage when Worcester’s Christmas lights are switched on later this month.
The city will be lit up to mark the start of the festive season during an evening of entertainment and fun for all the family in Cathedral Square on Saturday 23 November - between 4pm and 6.30pm. The lights will be turned on at 6pm.
Live music will come from talented musicians, identified by hosts BBC Hereford & Worcester – and every one of them will be including a classic Christmas song.
Andrew Marston, BBC Introducing presenter, said: "Worcester has always been a hotbed of talent and every week we're inundated with more tracks than we could ever play on the radio.
“Therefore, we rarely get to play the same song twice! So, to be able to offer this incredible platform of performing for our local great and good... what a setting!
“Our county has produced some absolute musical gems - and some of the country's future headliners will be joining us on stage - so audiences are in for a real treat!"
The singers wowing the crowds on the night will be Aymee Weir, Joseph Morris, Sign of Angelo, Jasper Malone and Sam Ostler – and all of them have a local connection.
Former Worcester University student turned singer and songwriter Shelle will start the evening of performances shortly after 4pm.
As part of the lights switch-on, Worcester Business Improvement District’s (BID) community lantern parade will leave The Hive at 4pm and arrive in Cathedral square at 4.30pm.
Due to the switch-on event’s growing popularity, College Street on Deansway will be closed to traffic from 5.30pm until 6.45pm and the bus stop in Cathedral Square will be suspended during this time.
Safety measures will be in place, with stewards on hand to provide help to anyone who needs it.
At 6pm, the Christmas Lights will be switched on by the Mayor of Worcester, Councillor Mel Allcott, along with the pantomime cast from Swan Theatre and Father Christmas
Cllr Allcott said: “I am very excited about switching on Worcester’s Christmas lights.
“Some brilliant musicians from Worcester and nearby will be performing and you can't beat live music. Do come and join us for the Christmas lights switch-on.”
There will also be prizes to be won during the evening - donated by First Bus, Crowngate shopping centre, and the Cathedral Square businesses.
Event sponsor First Bus is providing a special group rate ticket for £10, which is only available on the First Bus app between 23 November and 31 December and allows up to five people of any age to travel all day on the Worcester network.
BBC Introducing will also be holding live music in Cathedral Square on Sunday 24 November between 11.30am and 4pm. Performers are due to include Lucy Gidley, Split Second, Year Of The Lion, Outpost Drive and Sleuth.
