Line-up confirmed for St Helens Christmas Lights switch-on

Originally scheduled to take place last Saturday, the event in Church Square had to be postponed due to Storm Arwen.

Thursday's show will feature music and performances from local artists including DJ and producer, Eric McKenna, and MD Creatives – as well multi-award-winning band, Boomin - whose talents have seen them support the likes of McFly and The Script - and went down a treat when headlining the Earlestown switch-on show last Sunday.

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There will also be walkaround Christmas characters such as The Grinch and Elf on a Shelf – and an appearances from a Saints player and women's captain Jodie Cunningham – with special guest Leah Bennett, Child of Courage winner from Pride of St Helens Awards, switching on the lights.

A previous Christmas Lights switch-on in Church Square

Meanwhile over on the former Chalon Way multistorey car park site in Foundry Street that day will see the launch of an outdoor synthetic ice rink which will be free to use between 5pm and 7pm during the switch-on event.

The synthetic ice rink forms part of a popular Christmas in St Helens campaign which also includes a winter tipi full of Christmas crafts and an American-style drive in cinema showing a number of family classics, with Home Alone (sold out), The Polar Express, and Elf (sold out) being screened over the coming weeks.

Councillor Anthony Burns, cabinet member for wellbeing, culture and heritage, said: “After all the planning that has gone into this year’s event - given that we couldn’t do anything last year - it was a real shame that we had to postpone the original date, but on health and safety grounds it was absolutely the right call.

“I’d like to thank our events team for the quick turnaround in rearranging a new date around the availability of acts which falls on the same night as late-night Christmas shopping in St Helens Town Centre – so it would be great to see families visit our town centre to support local businesses for a night celebrating the very best of St Helens. If the turnout is anything like the one we had in Earlestown on Sunday, despite the freezing conditions, it’s sure to be a great occasion.”

A previous Christmas Lights switch-on in Victoria Square

With certain COVID-19 measures made mandatory again following the discovery of the new Omicron variant, visitors travelling to the event on public transport are required to wear face coverings, unless exempt, and when in town centre shops.

Public Health advice for anyone wishing to attend is to take a lateral flow test 24 hours before, then test again two days after, and then five days afterwards.

People are asked to please not attend an event if displaying any COVID-19 symptoms, even if mild.

The St Helens Christmas lights switch on will take place on Thursday, December 2, starting at 5pm and finishing at 7pm.

For Christmas in St Helens bookings, visit https://www.sthelens.gov.uk/christmas

To find out what’s happening in St Helens Borough over the festive period, including a Santa and real reindeer visit to Chalon Way on Saturday 11 December (12pm to 4pm) follow @whatsoninsthelens on Twitter - or like What’s on in St Helens on Facebook.