Preston’s Christmas lights are set to be lit on Saturday 19 November following the Switch On event, which gets underway from 5.30pm.

The show, which takes place on the city’s Flag Market, has been organised by Preston BID in partnership with Smooth Radio North West, and funded by city centre businesses. 

The free event, which officially launches the Christmas trading period in Preston, is sponsored by Bar Pintxos, Guild Hall Sales and Lettings, NWL Chamber of Commerce and TalkTalk.

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The Switch On, which regularly attracts thousands of people, will once again feature live performances from special guests, before the switch is flicked.

Preston’s Commonwealth Gold Medallist Sarah Davies will join Britain’s Got Talent’s Soldiers of Swing, The Street Monkeys, Retro City Orchestra, Russ Brown’s UV Puppets and Santa, live on stage. Buddy the Elf will also make an appearance.

Cult TV figure Sean Williamson (Barry from Eastenders and star of Ricky Gervais’ Extras), who has recently performed with Sam Fender, will lead the audience and willing stage-participants in a huge festive, pre-World Cup sing-along with his ‘Barrioke’ show, which has taken festivals and events by storm this year. Sean will be joined by multi-platinum selling, soul artist, Kenny Thomas.

Singer Junior Andre, who is signed to Columbia records alongside Calvin Harris and George Ezra, is also confirmed to perform, hot on the release of his anticipated October single Messy.  

Andre’s debut single Slide, released in June, reached number one in the iTunes chart in its release week, outselling Lady Gaga, Eminem and Harry Styles. The pop star and actor has already amassed over 315 million views on his popular TikTok channel.

New for 2022, the city will enjoy a refreshed Christmas lighting scheme, centred around brilliant white and gold colours, with interspersed colour-changing elements in certain locations.

Funded by city centre businesses in partnership with Preston City Council, the new scheme has been designed and installed by Lancashire’s LITE Ltd., and will feature low energy LED lighting, which uses up to 75 per cent less energy than traditional lighting schemes.

The trees around the Flag Market and Cheapside will also feature bright, low energy lighting, which will produce a colour-changing show at the beginning of each hour from the Switch On until January.

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A BID spokesperson said: “The Switch On is the city’s biggest event of the year. We are blown away by the number of people who wrap up and turn up each year, to help us launch the city’s Christmas period.

“We promise another exciting night this year with something for all the family – we hope that people will, once again, join us to enjoy this free to attend event. 

“This Switch On simply could not take place without the support and generosity of city centre businesses, sponsors, and partners.  We want to say a huge ‘thank you’ to them, and would encourage Prestonians to spend locally, and support their city centre, throughout the Christmas period.”

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Jamie Griffiths, Content Director at Smooth Radio North West, said: “This event is one of the highlights in our calendar – it’s a delight every year. Hosting this event marks the start of the festive period for us, and the crowd in Preston’s Flag Market never fail to make this a great celebration.” 

Co-sponsors TalkTalk have committed to making event attendees a key part of the Switch On element of the show, and more details will be announced soon.

Switch On performers will be accompanied by a British Sign Language interpreter, kindly organised by Preston-based Disability Equality North West.

There will be free parking for the Switch On, on Lancashire County Council’s Arthur Street Car Park, from 2pm.

The BID has also confirmed that there will be more free parking on offer across the Christmas period, with details to be announced shortly. 

More information on the event, and competition details, will be posted on the Christmas Lights Switch On Facebook event page.

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