Peterborough is putting the finishing sparkly touches to its festive plans this year, as it prepares to step into Christmas next month.
Festive lights are now being installed in the city centre, including Cathedral Square, Long Causeway and Bridge Street.
The lights will complement our 40ft Norwegian Spruce Christmas tree which will form the hub of our Christmas entertainment. Musically, the city is well served, with carol singers and entertainers including the Cathedral Choir, St John’s Choir, Sally Rock Choir, Zumba Stars, and the Salvation Army band throughout the whole of December.
The festivities kick off at 5pm on Friday, 22 November, with the Christmas light switch-on at 7pm, attracting hundreds of families and visitors to the city centre.
The lights will be switched on by Father Christmas himself, accompanied by Cheryl Fergison (Heather from Eastenders) and the Peterborough Mayor Councillor Marco Cereste.
Joining them will be local acts Teddy Newberry, Chanel Hughes and Gabriella Pineda Rodregues along with the aforementioned Peterborough Cathedral Choir and Peterborough Rock Choir.
Performances will also be included from The Key Theatre’s Snow White and the Cresset’s Cinderella pantomimes. And, for the first time ever, there will be a DJ set from Peterborough legend Eddie Nash. We have also been told that princesses, mascots and some, wait for this, Daleks are also coming!
The event will be hosted by presenters at PCRFM Kev Lawrence and Keith Dalton.
Peterborough City Council Leader, Councillor Dennis Jones and chief executive Matt Gladstone will also be at this festive event.
Councillor Dennis Jones, said: “We are delighted that Christmas is very much happening thanks to the generous donations from all our sponsors.
“We would like to thank them once again for their really saving the day and helping us to raise the £56,000 needed to cover the cost of the Christmas tree, festive lights and switch on event in our city centre, something which is so loved, and that hundreds of families and visitors attend each year.”
The sponsors are:
- Peterborough’s Family Hubs (headline sponsor)
- Garfield Builders
- Medesham Homes
- Woodstone Fire
- Howden Turbo UK
- Hudson Homes
- Fuchsia Homecare
- The Cresset
- Pick Everard
- Showcase Cinemas
- Willmott Dixon
- Keepmoat
- Persimmon Homes
Sponsors of the Christmas lights switch on entertainment are:
- Princebuild
- University Centre, Peterborough
Peterborough Cathedral will have a festive market from Friday, 22 November to Saturday 23 November. Market traders and entertainers are also wanted for a similar offering in Cathedral Square and Bridge Street. For further information contact market@peterborough.gov.uk