Roarsome fun at the Plymouth City Centre’s Christmas Lights Switch-on!

Switching on the spectacular Plymouth City Centre Christmas Lights, on Thursday 16 November, is West End star Samuel Holmes; as he returns to his Plymouth roots to play Larry the Lion Tamer in the pantomime Goldilocks and the Three Bears, at the Theatre Royal Plymouth.

Samuel will be joined by the Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Mark Shayer, and Santa and his elves, illuminating the city centre with colour and Christmas joy.

The free family friendly entertainment starts at 4pm from the stage on the Piazza, with brilliant performances from local dance, theatre and singing groups, with the big switch-on moment starting at 6.20pm.

The evening will finish with a lively performance from the brilliant Ocean City Groove, who will have the crowds dancing and singing along to their ten-piece funk, disco, soul and party band – playing big hits for everyone to enjoy. The Christmas lights switch-on is sponsored by Morgan Sindall Construction and run by the Plymouth City Centre Company.

Steve Hughes, chief executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “It has been a challenging year for our businesses, so we are delighted to be able to put on a really good show to attract visitors and shoppers into the city centre.”

This is also the beginning of the Christmas late-night shopping period, where many shops will be open until 9pm every Thursday from the 16 November to the 21 December. Shoppers can also benefit from the £1 parking offer in Western Approach car park only, after 3pm on the late-night shopping Thursdays.

Entertainment Programme

4pm to 4.10pm       City College Plymouth Dance

4.20pm to 4.35pm  Stage Stars

4.45pm to 5pm       Rythm City

5.10pm to 5.25pm  Pauline Quirke Academy

5.35pm to 5.50pm  Plymouth Cheerleaders

6pm to 6.15pm       Italia Conti Plymouth

6.20pm to 6.30pm  The BIG Switch-on Moment!

6.30pm to 7.30pm  Ocean City Groove

This year there will be a 20ft Christmas tree lit with 2,000 fairy lights, located north of Place de Brest, with festive entertainment to encourage shoppers to businesses further up Armada Way. The Christmas Tree has been kindly sponsored by The Treasury.

The bright lights and Christmas cheer is being spread right across the city centre, as Drake Circus will also be switching on their Christmas lights also on Thursday 16 November, with entertainment starting at 3pm and the lights switch on at 5pm.

This year’s illuminations are part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Visit the website for more information: Christmas Lights Switch-On - Visit Plymouth