Kick-starting Christmas in Plymouth with the City Centre’s Christmas Lights Switch-on celebrations!

30th October 2024

Players from Plymouth Argyle Football Club Women’s Team will be kick-starting this year’s Christmas celebrations in Plymouth, with switching on the spectacular City Centre Christmas Lights, on Thursday 14 November. Joining the three players will be Briana Craig, who is Snow White in the Theatre Royal Plymouth pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs.

The Lord Mayor of Plymouth, Councillor Tina Tuohy and Santa, will be on the stage joining in with the countdown to illuminating the city centre with colour and Christmas cheer.

The family fun entertainment starts at 4pm from the stage on the Piazza, with brilliant performances from local dance, theatre and singing groups, with the big switch-on moment starting at 6.20pm.

The evening will finish with a lively performance from Joey the Lips, who will have the crowds dancing and singing along to their ten-piece funk and soul band – playing big hits for everyone to enjoy.

The Christmas lights switch-on is sponsored by Morgan Sindall Construction and run by the Plymouth City Centre Company.

Steve Hughes, Chief Executive of the Plymouth City Centre Company, said: “The Christmas lights switch-on is always a special night but we are especially pleased that this year we will also be able to make use of the new space in New George Street and Old Town Street to put on even more entertainment.”

Graham Kingdon, Area Director, Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We are delighted to be sponsoring the Plymouth City Centre’s Christmas Lights Switch-on event again this year. We can’t wait to see the city centre illuminated with colourful Christmas lights. We hope everyone has a wonderful time at this festive event. From all the team at Morgan Sindall - we wish you a very Merry Christmas!”

Stage Entertainment Programme

4pm to 4.10pm        Enchanted Entertainment

4.20pm to 4.35pm   Razzamataz

4.45pm to 5pm        SJ Performing Arts

5.10pm to 5.25pm   Groovement Project Dance Company

5.35pm to 5.50pm   Plym Kids

6pm to 6.15pm        Plymouth Performing Arts Academy

6.20pm to 6.30pm   The big switch-on moment and countdown

6.30pm to 7.45pm   Joey the Lips

The bright lights and Christmas cheer is being spread right across the city centre, starting with Manuka performing at the brand-new events space at Old Town Street square from 3pm to 4.30pm.

Drake Circus will also be switching on their Christmas lights on Thursday 14 November, with festive entertainment from 3.30pm and the switch-on at 5pm.

This is also the beginning of the Christmas late-night shopping period, where many shops will be open until 9pm every Thursday from the 14 November to the 19 December.

Shoppers and visitors can look forward to the city centre being transformed into a beautiful Christmas market, from Thursday 28 November to Sunday 15 December. Log cabins will fill the Piazza festooned with twinkly lights and colourful garlands - home to over 50 stalls selling unique and hand-crafted gifts, decorations, clothing and much more. Visitors can enjoy a wide range of delicious festive foods, from warming mulled wine to tasty Yorkshire pudding wraps, and soak up the Christmassy atmosphere with daily entertainment.

This year’s Christmas lights switch-on event and the Plymouth Christmas Market are part-funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Find out more about the City Centre Christmas Lights Switch-On