Chorley Christmas Lights Switch On
Chorley’s festive season got off to a spectacular start on Saturday as thousands of people packed into the town centre for fun, fireworks and fabulous entertainment.
Thousands of people braved the wet weather to celebrate Chorley’s Christmas Lights Switch On which marked the start of the town’s countdown to Christmas.
People packed into Market Street for amazing performances from bands, singers and dancers after Chorley Council joined forces with Rock FM to get the party started.
The sensational X Factor singer Misha B wowed the crowd, along with a storming sing-along with everyone’s favourite snow sisters Anna and Elsa. The performances by up and coming talents Christ Atkinson, Myth of Unity, Tiger Heart and Dancer’s Wardrobe kept the audience cheering with joy before the finale when Sean Ward who played Callum Logan in Coronation Street joined the Leader of Chorley Council, Councillor Alistair Bradley, to press the official plunger and light up the town.
The evening came to a spectacular end with pyrotechnics and snow from the stage as the town was transformed into a winter wonderland with a spectacular fireworks display from the top of the town hall.
Councillor Peter Wilson, deputy leader of Chorley Council, said: “The Christmas lights switch on is one of our biggest events of the year and we’re delighted so many people braved the terrible weather to help us celebrate the start of the festive season in town.
“We crammed as much into the line-up as possible to make sure all the family had a fantastic evening out, and from the feedback we’ve had people really enjoyed the show.
“As well as some fantastic acts, superb celebrities, the lights, pyrotechnics and the snow, we also had the town hall clock lit up in a way which had never been seen before.
“It was a fantastic evening and it is only the start of our festive fun with events and attractions taking place every weekend until Christmas and the return of Chorley’s GIANT Ferris wheel from Friday 11 December plus Chorley’s Santa Express.”
Other attractions and activities being held in the run up to Christmas include:
• A special event called Astley Illuminated from 5pm until 10pm on Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 November, which will see Astley Hall and all of its treasures lit in magnificent LED spotlights including a special festive projection onto the front façade of the historic house
• Chorley’s Santa Express land train and the chance to meet Father Christmas at Astley Hall, every Saturday and Sunday from 5 until 20 December. Tickets for this must be booked in advance at chorley.gov.uk
• The much-anticipated return of Chorley’s GIANT festive Ferris wheel from Friday 11 December until Sunday 3 January.
• Festive family fun and entertainment in Market Walk and across the town centre every Saturday from 28 November until 19 December with joyful face painting, arts and crafts plus festive music
Councillor Wilson added: “We are pulling out all the stops to create a fantastic festive atmosphere to attract people into town for their Christmas shopping.
“With activities planned every weekend, plus free parking after 1pm every Saturday and all day Sunday we hope Chorley will have a bumper Christmas season.”
For more information on all of these events and attractions, plus details of other Christmas events taking place across the Chorley borough, visit chorley.gov.uk/whatson or pick up or download a copy of the What’s Happening magazine, which is out now.
Ends
Pictures show:
Picture 1: (L-R) Misha B, Chorley Council Leader Councillor Alistair Bradley, Coronation Street’s Sean Ward, The Mayor of Chorley Councillor Marion Lowe and the MP for Chorley Lindsay Hoyle switch on Chorley’s Christmas lights.
Picture 2: The crowd gather in Chorley town centre for the 2015 Christmas lights switch on.