The organisers of the Lytham Christmas Lights switch-on event have pulled out all the stops for 2023.
The festive event is set to take place on Saturday 18 November and there promises to be something for everyone to enjoy, with some aspects a little different this year.
Starting at 2pm, when Clifton Street will be closed to vehicles, there will be music and dancing across four Event Zones.
From St Peter’s up to Clifton Square, choirs, musicians and children’s theatre and dance schools will be performing. Participants include Scream, Dance etc, Skool of Street, AKS Theatre Group, Lytham Academy of Performing Arts, Showchoir, Lytham Guitar Club and Rainbow Dance & Theatre School.
Meanwhile the Mayor of Fylde Cllr Cheryl Little will be joined by Kila Redfearn, Lytham Town Crier and Santa himself to judge Lytham’s festive windows.
Once night draws in at 4pm, a ‘Light Up Lytham’ Lantern Parade including community groups, Santa and the RNLI will progress from St Peter’s Church to be greeted by Freckleton Brass Band at Clifton Square.
The Show in the Square will take place once the parade has ended. This year, there will be a countdown to a much earlier lights switch-on shortly after 5pm, which will mark the start of great lineup of local artists.
Special guests include BBC Radio Lancashire’s breakfast host, Graham Liver, former EastEnders star Cheryl Fergison, Bargain Hunt’s Danny Sebastian as well as comedian Steve Royal and his panto partner in crime Tom Lister of Emmerdale fame, who are playing at The Grand this year.
The entertainment line-up is just as impressive with Lytham legend Mark Jay, singer Jane Dean and local lad James Kennedy all topping the bill. Younger artists in the spotlight include Scarlett Hackett and Jess Hagon. We will also be treated to a preview of Lowther’s Panto, plus The Shanty Crew, Lytham Community Choir and Rock Choir.
The switch-on show will finish at 8pm, after which revellers can stay and enjoy the ambiance of Clifton Square or make their way to the official Lytham Christmas After Party at The Station Pub & Grill, who will be hosting the official After Party with rock band Rubber Giraffe.
This year’s Lytham switch-on will be firework free, making the event more inclusive; a decision that has been well received.
Businesses across the town have generously sponsored the event with Lytham St Annes News, Vincents Solicitors, Harrison Drury Solicitors, Confident Futures and Sparrowhawk Legal amongst the key sponsors.
Shops and restaurants including Stringers, Pizza Express and The One Lytham are amongst the many local businesses making donations to fund the fantastic day.
Kila Redfearn, Lytham Town Crier, has helped to organise Lytham Lights switch-on. She said “What better way to kick off the festive season than a legendary day of celebration.
“People come from across Fylde and beyond to get into the Christmas spirit and enjoy some family time.”
Suzanne Taylor, owner of Bond & Bloom and Chair of the Lytham Business Partnership who puts on the event, is looking forward to families and visitors enjoying what Lytham has to offer.
She said: “It has been rewarding to switch it up a little this year and involve more of the town.
“We’ve all been working really hard to deliver a wonderful experience and I want to thank everyone who has been involved, from our sponsors to our entertainers and our special celebrity guests, as well as our volunteers and Lytham’s businesses.”
“I particularly want to thank the organising group. It has been a joy to work with such a selfless, focussed, fun group of people, all of whom are already incredibly busy.
“Cllr Peter Anthony and Paul Lomax of Lytham Hall, Kila and husband Cllr Andrew Redfearn, and Matt Naylor and Mick Cox from Lytham Business Partnership have been terrific. We are already working on next year!”
Cllr Karen Buckley, Leader of Fylde Council, added: “The excitement is building ahead of the first Fylde switch-on of the year and it is set to be a day to remember.
“The businesses across the town have done Lytham proud by getting behind this year’s event and have really welcomed a fresh approach involving more of Clifton Street. I’d like to add my thanks to the organisers and supporters and look forward to what I’m sure will be a wonderful, festive celebration.”
Cllr Jayne Nixon, Lead Member for Tourism, Leisure and Culture at Fylde Council, added: “We see visitors from across Lancashire and beyond travelling to enjoy the Lytham lights switch-on and, with the lineup of entertainment on offer, I am sure they will be here in their droves again this year!
“Everyone works so hard to create an amazing event and I am sure that it will be worth it when we see the smiles on the faces of residents and visitors.”
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