Let there be lights

Preparations for the festive season kick off with the city's Christmas Switch On in Keel Square on Thursday 21 November.

A firm favourite in Sunderland's events calendar, the switch on promises to be a wonderful family event as the city comes together to start the celebrations and officially kick off the festive season.

The entertainment gets underway from 5.30pm onwards with music to get everyone in the Christmas spirit and cartoon characters doing walkabouts, before Hits Radio's breakfast show hosts Steve and Karen take to the stage to get the party started from 6pm onwards with a host of festive hits and sparkling entertainment.

There'll be competitions aplenty, including the chance to win tickets for this year's Jack and the Beanstalk panto at the Sunderland Empire and Disney on Ice at the Utilita Arena in Newcastle.

Everyone's favourite ogre, Shrek will also be putting in a special appearance, followed by panto stars from Jack and the Beanstalk before Santa, the main man himself, takes to the stage to join in the fun and games.

The Mayor of Sunderland Councillor Allison Chisnall will then be joined by Steve and Karen, SAFC players and panto stars for the grand switch on at 7pm. 

Councillor Chisnall, said: "Christmas is always such a special time of year. The annual Christmas Switch On marks start of the city's countdown to the big day and it's something that families from across Sunderland and beyond really look forward to each year.

"We've got a fantastic programme of entertainment lined up for this year's event and what better way to start the festive season."

To coincide with the Sunderland Christmas Light Switch On, The Fire Station is also launching FireSide, its new, free-to-enter festive marquee experience in front of The Fire Station building. Offering a bar, food and cosy seating areas, this opens at 4pm on Thursday 21 November and runs through December. Visitors coming along to the switch on might also want to take advantage of some of the other fantastic restaurants and bars around Keel Square.

The launch of Christmas has been organised by Sunderland City Council and supported by Sunderland BID and Hits Radio (formerly Metro Radio) 

Sharon Appleby, Chief Executive of Sunderland Business Improvement District (BID), said: "The Christmas light switch on signals the start of a really important period for businesses in the city centre.  

"There are so many great venues, wonderful retailers and fabulous events in the city centre that can be visited and enjoyed. We hope to see lots of people join us at the light switch on and then to come back and do their shopping and enjoy the season in the city."

To find out more about the Christmas Switch on, visit: https://www.mysunderland.co.uk/christmaslights2024 

And to find out what else is on in Sunderland during the festive season, visit: https://mysunderland.co.uk/events 

For information on parking, visit www.sunderland.gov.uk/parking

For information on the Sunderland Empire panto, visit: www.atgtickets.com/sunderland