Christmas arrived in Darlington with a bang, festive cheer and a wild crowd as thousands gathered in the Market Square to watch the festive light switch-on.
TFM radio breakfast presenters Steve Furnell and Karen Oxley compered the event as performers took to the stage to keep the crowd entertained in the hour’s build-up to the light show.
A choir set the Christmassy mood with renditions of classic Christmas carols and Christmas hits boomed out across the square as crowds enjoyed fun, games, and a host of festive entertainment.
Young people were delighted with the arrival of Lumiere and Cogsworth who left Belle’s Castle to pay Darlington a visit. Even the ever-un-festive Mr Grinch joined in the festivities, partaking in a Christmas yoga session.
Gary Barlow tribute act Tony Kay rounded off an exciting evening with a rendition of ‘Never Forget’ which saw the crowd screaming back the lyrics before the Christmas merriment continued with the arrival of Santa Claus himself who arrived by sleigh that was driven down the centre of the Market Square, enabling the crowds of young revellers to get a glimpse of him.
Santa was accompanied by his ever-faithful reindeer and unbelievably a giraffe, which incited nostalgia in those of us who remember the Christmas ‘Toys ‘R’ Us’ adverts.
Two-year-old Oakley Kelly was among the youngsters in the crowd, who exclaimed “Wow fireworks” as the event came to a fantastic end as Santa and the stars of this year’s Darlington Hippodrome Pantomime, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, pressed the all-important big red button and started Christmas with a bang.
An impressive fireworks display accompanied the illumination of Darlington’s Christmas lights for this festive season.
As crowds dispersed, one resident commented “It’s the first time I’ve been to a Christmas light switch-on in Darlington since the Chuckle Brothers were the panto stars. Darlington Borough Council have done an excellent job.”
Another resident commented, “It was a good night, everyone looked like they were enjoying themselves and it was busier than I thought it would, which added to the overall atmosphere in the Market Square.”
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