The date of Preston’s Christmas Lights Switch On has been announced.

On Saturday November 23 the city will be lit up with more than 1.5 miles of festive lights at Preston’s biggest free family event.

The Flag Market is expected to be packed with thousands of people as the city officially starts its countdown to Christmas.

The Christmas lights, funded by city centre businesses via the BID and Preston City Council, will feature hundreds of thousands of super-bright LED bulbs which are 70% more energy efficient than traditional bulbs.

The event is being staged in partnership with Smooth Radio North West – the region’s largest commercial radio station.

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Featuring a packed bill of performers, the Christmas Lights Switch On promises something for all the family before the switching on of the lights at around 7.45pm.

Mark Whittle from Preston BID said: “This year’s event is set to be even better with some great live performers lining up for the show – everyone’s invited; we look forward to seeing thousands of people making their way to the city centre and helping us launch Christmas in the Preston”.

The show will include a performance from ‘Boyz on Block’, a band fused together with leading members of some of the 90’s and 00’s biggest boy bands.

With a collective fifteen number ones and having sold more than 30million records, Boyz On Block will perform some of the biggest hits from their respective bands, Five Another Level, Phats and Small and Boyzone.

The stage show will also feature a vocal performance, from Chloe Rose. Chloe is a singer, ‘Tik Tok’ star and influencer with an online following close to 5million.

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Younger members of the family will have the chance to enjoy a ‘live’ stage-
performance from superheroes Catboy, Owlette and Gekko, stars of the hit PJ Masks series.

Local signed singer songwriter Harvey Brittain and his band will join the line-up which will also feature a upbeat set from ‘Ska Face’ a ten-piece ska and two-tone band from the county.

Organisers have also confirmed there’s one more surprise still to come!

Group Programme Director of Smooth Radio North West, Jamie Griffiths, said: “We are so excited to turn on Preston’s lights with a soulful evening of festive fun.

“The Christmas lights switch-on is always a huge event in Preston, attracting
thousands to the city.”

The event is sponsored by The Fishergate Shopping Centre, Preston’s College, St George’s Shopping Centre, The Walker Williams Group and Walton’s Coach Hire.

Visitors to Preston city centre will also be able to ‘get in to the festive spirit’ when the popular Makers Market, featuring unique gifts and tasty regional produce, returns to the Flag Market on Saturday 9th November and Saturday 14th December.

What do you think of the line up? Let us know in the comments section.