Christmas lights Switch On
Features One Voice Youngsters
A show-stopping, foot-tapping musicals extravaganza is on the programme for this year’s Blackburn town centre Christmas lights switch on!
One Voice Blackburn’s youngsters will be hosting the community event in the heart of Blackburn.
Blackburn BID, supported by Blackburn with Darwen Council, have announced the programme for the popular annual event, and it promises to be even more spectacular than ever before!
Set for Saturday, November 25th from 2.30pm, the ‘From Broadway to Blackburn: Christmas Lights Switch On Spectacular’ will feature a day of amazing dancing and singing performances on a huge stage on King William Street, bursting with music from hit musicals of the stage and screen.
Talented young people Aleeza Isa, 15, and Alisha Seedat, 14, from local charity One Voice Blackburn’s WEGs group will be hosting the free, festive event, which will include performances from brilliant local music, dance and theatre groups Bernese Theatre School, Katrina’s Dance Academy, Lancashire Dance Academy, Made For Stage and Zoe Taylor Dance.
Stars of this year’s Panto at Blackburn BID Member King George’s Hall – Aladdin – will also be performing live on stage, as will the Blackburn Festival of Light Street Band.
Blackburn town centre and Dubai-based Pop Up Global will be delivering a fantastic all-singing, all-dancing festive finale show starting at just after 6pm.
An incredible fireworks display, sponsored by Rummage Rescuers CIC, will follow with the switching on of the town’s Christmas Lights.
Catherine Price, Blackburn Town Centre BID manager, said: “I’m so excited to announce this year’s musicals themed event ‘From Blackburn to Broadway’. Our Christmas events always attract huge crowds with King William Street being packed with people and the whole town centre absolutely buzzing and I’m sure this year will be no different.
“The event will mark the start of the festive season in Blackburn town centre and will showcase not only our amazing talented young performers, but also our brilliant town centre businesses.
“Blackburn town centre is absolutely the place to be this festive season for incredible entertainment and everything you need to enjoy a wonderful Christmas.”
Cllr Quesir Mahmood, Deputy Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council and Executive Member for Growth and Development, said: “This event promises to get you in the Christmas spirit!
“We’ve seen huge crowds in recent years at the Blackburn Christmas lights switch on and we want to fill the town centre once again with this fantastic line-up!
“It’s a way to showcase our impressive local talent and the festive Pop-Up finale show is something you’d expect to see in a major city – I know the crowds were wowed last year.
“Events like this bring a huge boost to our towns and I’d encourage you to come and make an afternoon of it and check out all there is to offer in Blackburn – everything from a great range of branded shops, nice independents and our market, the biggest in Lancashire!”
Zaffer Khan, Chief Executive Officer of One Voice Blackburn said: “We are absolutely thrilled to be involved in the amazing Christmas Light Switch On. It is an iconic event in the Blackburn calendar and as a charity that supports the town and its young people it is apt that our West End Girls (WEGs) get this unique opportunity to host.
“It is a great testament to the talent of the young people in Blackburn, and both Aleeza and Alisha are super excited at the prospect, and can’t wait for the show.”
On the day Rummage Rescuers will be hosting their Christmas Giving festival at Blackburn Museum on between 4pm and 6pm – working collaboratively with Blackburn Youth Zone and other local groups and business to ensure every child has a gift this year.
Anyone interested in supporting this event can drop suitable Christmas gifts for ages 0-18 at any Rummage Rescuers site and Blackburn Youth Zone .
From 7 December, King George’s Hall will be hosting their annual pantomime, Aladdin, featuring Corrie’s Tristan Gemmill, who played Robert Preston, as Abanazar. Performances will run until 31 December and will feature great songs, dazzling dance routines, stunning scenery, beautiful costumes and amazing special effects. Tickets will be available on the King George’s Hall website.