Over 1,500 people turned out to watch Noddy Holder and a host of entertainment acts get Christmas off to a flyer in Altrincham on Saturday.
Stamford Square and George Street were packed to the rafters for the official Christmas Lights Switch-on, with Christmas Star competition winner Louise Barber joining the former Slade frontman – forever linked to the festivities thanks to his Merry Xmas Everybody hit – for the big moment shortly after 5pm.
Altrincham’s own Key 103 presenter Darren Proctor was on hand to host proceedings, with live performances from acts including Black Cheque, Little Belters, Broomwood Primary School, Rock Choir, Joe Roscoe and Magic Voices.
Watch the switch-on:
Lantern Making took place for most of the day on George Street and at Art with a Heart on Stamford New Road (where there was also a Santa’s Grotto), with many of the resulting lanterns held aloft during an enthusiastic Parade of Light through Altrincham.
Altrincham Unlimited manager, Katie Bland, said the event had been a “fantastic event for Altrincham”.
“The town was packed all day with hundreds of families enjoying the lantern making, Santa’s Grotto and other festive activities and the attendance for the evening switch-on event was phenomenal, with over 1,500 people in Stamford Square and George Street to watch the show.
![Thousands packed into Stamford Square and George Street for the Christmas Lights Switch-on](https://altrincham.todaynews.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/11/noddy2.webp)
“We would like to thank everyone who made the day such a success, in particular our new Welcome Team, kindly provided by Tesco Altrincham, who did a great job guiding visitors around the town, and all the performers who helped to create such a brilliant atmosphere throughout the day.
“This is just the start of Christmas activity in Altrincham this year, with Christmas Markets, Late Nights Shopping, Santa’s Grotto and much more taking place between now and Christmas. Visitors can find details of all these events and more at www.altrinchamunlimited.co.uk.”
![The Parade of Light in full flow down George Street](https://altrincham.todaynews.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/11/parade-e1479749785998.webp)
![Some of the Christmas Lights on George Street](https://altrincham.todaynews.co.uk/content/images/wp-content/uploads/sites/7/2016/11/lights2.webp)