Southport Christmas Lights Switch On - Saturday 22nd November at 12 noon....

Sinead Tinker - Coronation Street Star. This Christmas Southport will have more lights and a bigger switch on than ever before thanks to its business community and the newly formed Southport Business Improvement District company that represents it. The big new grand scale switch on, which takes place on Lord Street on and around a large stage with giant screen including live camera feed, is happening for the first time on a Saturday afternoon – 22nd November - so people can enjoy the festivities and also venture out to discover all that our fine retailers cafes and restaurants have to offer. With half a million brand new lights to illuminate the town, the only fitting way to celebrate is with a flurry of famous faces. Pressing the button and lighting up Southport this Christmas will be Coronation Street stars Ryan Thomas (Jason Grimshaw) and Katie McGlynn (Sinead Tinker) joined by former Corrie favourite Ken Morley (King Bumble) and Kay Purcell (Carabosse) from the Southport Theatre Panto, Sleeping Beauty. The celebrations on Saturday 22nd start from 12 noon where there will be a fantastic array of top local and professional choirs, bands and dance acts on the stage until the plunger goes down at 5:30pm. The switch on area, on Lord Street in front of the Atkinson, also plays host to vibrant entertainers, characters and attractions, Christmas stalls and even real camels accompanied by the three wise men. Grottos in Wayfarers Arcade and Southport Market and a Christmas fayre inside the Atkinson complete what is set to be a fun packed day of festivities for the town. The stage will be hosted by top radio DJs and features performers including choirs Voice Plus and Rock Choir, dance groups Street Beatz and Baby Ballet, Southport band The Dice Men and professional artists including Myth of Unity, King and Scholes, Barbieshop and the fabulously weird and wonderful Mr Wilson’s Second Liners. That’s not all - there will be a few extra special surprises in store as well! The magic doesn’t stop at the switch on – from 6th to 21st December Southport will have a traditional log cabin style Christmas Market along Chapel Street and in Town Hall Gardens. The Atkinson will be showing three classic Christmas films free of charge courtesy of the BID from the end of November into December.