Pantomime legend Christopher Biggins will be spreading festive joy when he joins Santa Claus to switch on the Darlington Christmas Lights this year.
Crowds in the Market Place will be entertained by TFM, a gospel choir, Anna, Elsa and Olaf from Frozen, the Grinch and a host of fairytale princess from 4pm to 5.30pm on Sunday, November 20.
The event, sponsored by Homes by Esh, will end with a burst of fireworks to officially welcome Christmas to Darlington.
Darlington Borough Council's lighting team has been busy installing lights around the town centre and will be putting the finishing touches to the town’s Christmas tree in time for the big switch on.
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Biggins, the country's best-known panto dame, is playing Mrs Smee in the Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan at Darlington's Hippodrome theatre this Christmas.
He has been performing in pantomimes for more than 45 years, since making his debut at the former Darlington Civic theatre in 1976.
The switch on will mark the start of a full programme of festive fun in Darlington, which includes the town's first ever Christmas tree festival.
This will see community groups and schools designing and decorating trees to be displayed in town centre windows from Monday, November 21 to Wednesday, December 23.
The popular ice sculpture trail returns on Saturday, December 3 and 10 and there will be even more frozen fun with an ice rink. There will also be a speciality Christmas market on Saturday and Sunday, December, 10 and 11.
Jonathan Dulston, leader of the council, said: “Darlington is definitely the place to be this Christmas for free, festive family fun. There is so much happening across the town centre in the run up to the big day – I can’t wait for everyone to come down and get involved.”
Collin Willetts, deputy managing director at Homes by Esh, said: “We are proud to sponsor this year’s Christmas Lights Switch On. As a local housebuilder within the area, we are committed to giving back to the community as well as supporting local events.
"The official light switch on is a great opportunity for families and friends to come together this festive season and we’re delighted to play our part in this.”
Host for the event Steve Furnell from the TFM Radio Breakfast Show said: “The Darlington crowd is always up for some great festive fun and we can’t wait to see everyone on the night.”
The Pantomime Adventures of Peter Pan is on at Darlington Hippodrome from December 10 to 31. Tickets are on sale at darlingtonhippodrome.co.uk There are more details of the Christmas events at enjoydarlington.co.uk/christmas and on the council's social media pages.
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