City Prepares For Christmas Light Switch On

Despite the numerous festive decorations, gifts and food already in the shops, Thursday will mark the official start of Christmas when Brighton’s Christmas lights get switched on.

Organisers are pledging it will be bigger, brighter and better than ever before.

From 5pm on Thursday the festive season starts with a free party on East Street.

Some of the best talent in Brighton will be performing, including the 40-strong all-female Brighton choir We Bop along with Hove’s Singing’s Cool and performers from The Theatre Workshop.

Gogglebox stars Stephen Webb and Chris Butland-Steed will lead the countdown and switch on the lights.

This year’s lights include a golden canopy of lights in The Lanes and also see the return of last year’s words along North Street including #Fairy, Ding Dong and Peace.

The event is being organised by Brilliant Brighton in association with Juice FM and Chestnut Tree House children’s hospice.

Brilliant Brighton is formed of 517 businesses who put on the switch-on-event and collectively pay the annual fee of £75,000 to ensure the city is lit up at Christmas.

CEO of Brilliant Brighton, Gavin Stewart, said: “We’re really excited for this year’s Christmas lights switch-on-event.”

There will also be a raffle at the event, with all donations going to Chestnut Tree House.

Raffle prizes include a £200 voucher from Sorriso, a food hamper from Marks and Spencer and a cut and blow dry with North Laine Hair Company’s salon director.

Entry to the switch on is free.

By Clare Calder