Press Release

Santa Claus is coming to town!

15th November 2005

Guildhall Square is the place to be tomorrow night, Wednesday November 16th, as it officially welcomes the festive season with the Big Christmas Lights Switch On.

A magical evening has been planned for the fun-filled event, which each year brings thousands of families to the City centre for a programme of great music and some very special guests.

The entertainment begins at 6.30pm, when the James McPeake band will take to the open-air stage to get everyone in to the party mood. This popular Belfast based 5-piece are no strangers to the North West area and are renowned for their unique selection of 60s, 70s and 80s hits and entertaining costume changes.

At 7.10pm BBC Radio Foyle’s Mark Patterson will take over as Master of Ceremonies to introduce the Mayor, Councillor Lynn Fleming as she delivers her Christmas message. They will be joined on stage by a host of characters from the City’s two pantomimes, the Millennium Forum’s Sleeping Beauty and the Waterside Theatre’s Jack and the Beanstalk, and by Miss Teen Ireland in anticipation for the annual spotlight lookout to see where Santa Claus is hiding around the City walls.

At 7.30pm the countdown begins as Santa Claus, with a little help from the Mayor, lights up the city centre in a blaze of multicoloured decorations. Entertainment will continue through the evening with music and fun for all the family until 8.30pm

Mayor Councillor Lynn Fleming said she was looking forward to the event and encouraged as many people as possible to come along to the magical festive evening.

For more information telephone (028) 71376545.

This free family event is brought to you with Seasons Greetings from Derry City Council.

ENDS

For additional information contact:

Press Office

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