This Saturday is set to get the Christmas season officially underway in Altrincham with the switching on of the Christmas lights.
We've put together the below guide to help you get the most out of the day.
What time does the Christmas Lights Switch-on start?
The annual Christmas Lights Switch-on, one of the biggest events in Altrincham’s calendar, will take place this Saturday, November 25th.
The show will be opened by presenters Darren Proctor and Chelsea Norris, from Happy Radio, at 3pm.
Who is turning on the Altrincham Christmas Lights this year?
Ryan Thomas, TV personality and influencer, will headline the show and join Santa on stage to press the big red button and illuminate the town’s lights at 6pm.
Thomas is best known for his 16 years playing Jason Grimshaw in Corrie, and has also appeared in Australian soap opera Neighbours.
He's also been very successful in celebrity spin-offs of popular TV shows - in 2018 he won the final series of Celebrity Big Brother and last year he triumphed in Celebrity Antiques Road Trip.
He's currently training at Planet Ice in Altrincham ahead of an appearance in the next series of Dancing on Ice, which returns to ITV in the new year. His professional skating partner, Amani Fancy, will be joining Thomas for the switch-on.
There'll be much to enjoy before then, though.
The show will kick off at 3pm with a heartwarming performance by the Little Belters.
Also taking to the stage are The Music Place Choir, Sing It! and Wellington School’s Year 7 Choir.
Local singers Alexander Stewart and Millie Royle will also be taking part along with the cast from Planet Ice’s Wizard of Oz and team members from Altrincham Football Club.
Where is the Altrincham Christmas Lights stage located?
The switch-on stage will be positioned on Regent Road at the top of George Street with an additional relay screen on the Travelodge bridge.
This will allow viewing all along George Street from Regent Road to the Cross Street/Shaw’s Road junction.
Refreshments during the show can be purchased from BAP, Rhode Island Café and Everyman – all on George Street – as well as the many other cafés and restaurants in the town centre.
There will be a temporary road closure on Regent Road for the duration of the event, but pedestrian access will be maintained throughout as well as access to the town centre car parks.
Frequent bus, tram and train services operate to and from Altrincham Interchange and the Stamford Quarter will also be offering all day parking for 50p.
The town’s Christmas Lights Switch-on is organised by Altrincham BID, who produce Visit Altrincham.
The event is funded by Altrincham’s businesses, with additional sponsorship from Altrincham Football Club, Assura, Calderpeel Architects, Capstone Financial, The Con Club, Gran T’s Coffee House, The Grafton Quarter, Handelsbanken, Hill & Company Solicitors, McHale & Co Solicitors, Jameson & Partners Estate Agents, Kier Construction, Lund Bennett Law, MLP Law and Rasassi Restaurant.
Mandy White, Altrincham’s Business Improvement Manager said: “We’re excited that Ryan Thomas is joining us for the switch-on show particularly as he is currently rehearsing for Dancing on Ice at Altrincham's Ice Rink, Planet Ice.
"There’s always a fabulous atmosphere in the town on the Christmas lights switch-on day and the event really marks the start of the festive season for many. We expect the town to be busy and would encourage visitors to get here early to enjoy the great selection of cafés, restaurants, bars, and shops."
What other Christmas events are planned for Altrincham town centre?
The town's magical Lantern Parade will take place on Saturday 9th December, starting at 5pm in Goose Green.
The festivities continue with 'Carols from King's Court' on Wednesday 20th December, starting at 6pm.
