The stars will be coming out this week as towns and cities throughout the region switch on Christmas lights. TV celebrities, football managers and legendary children's favourites are all joining in the fun. The Northern Echo presents a festive guide to who is doing the honours.
NEWCASTLE
FORMER Newcastle United manager Sir Bobby Robson will switch on the city's Christmas lights tonight.
Sir Bobby will perform the ceremony in Grey Street at 6.30pm.
Entertainment will start from 5pm, when staff from The Gate leisure complex and Century FM will be handing out free carol sheets, reindeer antlers, reindeer biscuits and scarves.
The Newcastle Vipers ice hockey team will also be giving away tickets to their upcoming matches.
Century presenters Simon Cook and Lisa Shaw will lead a sing-along from 5.30pm, then, shortly after 6pm, movie star Shrek will present prizes to the young winners of this year's Design a Christmas Light competition.
David Faulkner, the city council's executive member for culture, heritage and sport, said: "The Christmas lights switch-on is always a popular event and really puts the city in the mood for Christmas.
"Thursday's event gives us the opportunity to show our appreciation of a man who has represented the city with considerable honour all over the world.
"I'm sure that Sir Bobby Robson will get a rousing reception from everyone there."
SUNDERLAND
IN Sunderland, the job of switching on the city's light tonight has fallen on Sunderland AFC manager Mick McCarthy.
The Black Cats boss will join Sunderland mayor, Councillor Jim Scott, to switch on the Christmas illuminations outside the civic centre, in Burdon Road.
Mr McCarthy said: "I am delighted to have been given the honour of switching on Sunderland's 2004 Christmas illuminations, lighting up the city for the festive period. It's great to be part of such a popular event in a city renowned for its warm and friendly people with a passion for football."
The festivities start at 6pm with the Sun FM Roadshow, with presenters Simon Grundy and Ashleigh Whitfield.
Entertainment will include performances by Havelock Primary School choir, plus Jade Elstob and Louise Roseberry, who won the city's No 1 talent competition.
It culminates in a firework display.
The illuminations switch-on will launch the city's most ambitious programme of Christmas events and activities.
An open-air winter ice-rink in Mowbray Park will be open for business from next Thursday. A traditional German Christmas market will run in the Market Square from November 29 to December 19.
Sunderland Empire reopens on Thursday, December 9 after a £4.5m refurbishment, with a production of the musical, Starlight Express.
CORONATION Street will be well represented when Peterlee town centre's Christmas Lights are switched on this year.
Throwing of the switch to light up the shopping malls this year will be actress Shobna Gulati, who plays Sinita, and Bruce Jones, who plays the loveable rogue Les Battersby.
The lights will be switched on next Tuesday, at 6pm, when a large crowd is expected to turn out to see the two Corrie favourites.
DURHAM CITY
It will be back to the famous soap when Durham City illuminates its streets with festive lights with Keith Duffy, the former Boyzone member and now Coronation Street star, pressing the button in the Market Place between 5.30pm and 5.45pm on Sunday.
Entertainment will be provided on the day, from 1pm, and will include the Century FM roadshow. Duffy will be answering questions and leading Christmas songs near to the switch-on time.
DARLINGTON
PantoMIME star Lee Brennan from boyband 911 is switching on the festive lights in the town centre.
Brennan will take to the stage on High Row with Santa Claus to do the big switch on at 4.15pm on Saturday.
Brennan is starring in this year's Civic Theatre pantomime as Peter Pan, alongside stars Cannon and Ball, who will play mischievous pirates Smee and Yoo.
Alpha 103.2 will provide a festive roadshow from 3pm until 4.30pm.
Tanni Grey-Thompson and Mayor Madge Moses will switch on Christmas lights on Redcar High Street at 4.30pm, on Sunday November 28, following a parade through the town.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Local TV favourite Kirsten O'Brien switches on the lights in Middlesbrough on Sunday.
The Children's TV presenter will be doing the honours on the Debenhams-Binns corner at 4.30pm. Celebrations start 3.15pm.
STOCKTON
THE Christmas lights will be switched on by Middlesbrough FC manager Steve McClaren on Thursday, December 2, at 6pm, at Stockton Town Hall.
HARTLEPOOL
Lights will be switched on by Jeff Hordley, who plays Caine Dingle in ITV's Emmerdale, on Sunday, from 4pm, at the Middleton Grange Shopping Centre.
JARROW
Town centre Christmas illuminations will be turned on across the South Tyneside town on Friday, November 26, by the Mayor of Jarrow, Coun John Wood, outside the town hall. The switch on takes place at 4.30pm.
NORTHALLERTON
The lights will be switched on at 6pm on Friday, December 3, which is also marks the start of late night shopping.
Group Captain Ian Morrison, the base commander of RAF Leeming, will do the honours. The chance to switch the lights on alongside him is being offered to the highest bidder at the Allertonshire School's auction of promises, on November 26.
South Shields will be lit up in King Street on Saturday, November 27, at 4.30pm.
BOLDON
Boldon will be illuminated on Tuesday with a switch-on in The Shack social club, at 4.30pm.
YORK
The official switch-on will be on November 25. Times and further details are still being finalised.
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