Worcester set for Christmas lights switch-on

Worcester’s festive season gets well and truly under way this evening when the city’s Christmas lights are switched on.

The event starts at 3.45pm with the lights switched on from Cathedral Square at 6pm.

“This promises to be a happy and fun-filled occasion for the whole family, and is a great opportunity to bring the whole community together in the spirit of love not hate,” says Cllr Jabba Riaz, Worcester’s Mayor, who will be switching on the lights.

White and gold-coloured lights are being specially hired by Worcester City Council and fairy lights are also being installed in trees along the High Street.

Hosted by BBC Hereford & Worcester presenters Elliott Webb and Malcolm Boyden, the evening will include entertainment from Luke Swatman, Matt Sheehan, Dharma Burns, Alex Lleo, Woo Town Hillbillies and Worcester Concert Brass, among others.

After the lights have been switched on, there will be a community carol sing along. 

The event signals the start of Christmas late night shopping in Worcester city centre, with many shops staying open until 8pm on Thursdays.

Security measures have been put in place ahead of this year’s Christmas lights switch-on.  The Surface Guard system will be used to block road access into Cathedral Square.

Surface Guard will also be used to protect a wider area around the Victorian Fayre, which gets under way on Thursday next week, November 29 and runs until Sunday, December 2.

Nearly 200 stalls will fill the streets of Worcester for the 26th year of the Victorian Christmas Fayre.

The event regularly attracts morfe than 100,000 people across the course of the four days, contributing an estimated £7 million to the local economy each year.

“The Victorian Fayre is one of the highlights on Worcester’s annual calendar, attracting visitors from across the UK and an eclectic mix of traders who offer unique and enticing produce,” said the Mayor.

A range of products, including crafts, festive gifts and speciality foods, will be on sale.

There will be Victorian characters in Gin Lane, entertainers on stilts, children carol singing on stages and buskers on street corners. The carousel returns to the Cornmarket.

The event will be officially opened by the Mayor on the evening of Thursday, November 29, when officials and Cathedral choristers will process down the High Street at 5.15pm, arriving at the Cornmarket for 5.30pm.

Carols will be sung by the Worcester Cathedral Voluntary Choir accompanied by the Salvation Army and there will be a short biblical reading and prayer. The opening ceremony will finish shortly after 6pm.

Everyone is welcome to join the community carol service to be held in Worcester Cathedral on Thursday, November 29 at 4.45pm.