Are you ready? Ten, nine, eight… the big countdown will soon be here as Peterborough city centre lights up for Christmas!
The annual lights switch on event is happening on Friday November 18 in Cathedral Square with family fun and music on stage from 5pm. It will mark the start of the festivities in the city which will include a fantastic ice rink and festive stalls.
City radio station PCRFM is leading the switch on entertainment with breakfast show host Kev Lawrence from PCRFM and Saturday breakfast on BBC Radio Cambridgeshire compering the event, along with fellow presenter Keith Dalton.
Peterborough's gold winning gymnast Jake Jarman will be switching on the Christmas Lights this year. The elite gymnast from Gunthorpe has competed internationally for Great Britain, and for England at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 where he became the first English male gymnast to win four gold medals at a single Games. He made history in being the first senior Great British gymnast to take the gold on the vault at the European championships, bronze on the floor and was eighth all around helping the GB team take the gold too.
Councillor Steve Allen, cabinet member for culture at Peterborough City Council, said:
"We're delighted that Jake can join us for the Christmas lights switch on for city residents. There is so much to look forward to this year with the real ice rink and Christmas stalls too.
"We'd like to thank our sponsors and PCRFM for making the event possible and for adding plenty of festive sparkle. We hope you also find the time to do some Christmas shopping, visit our Christmas market and enjoy the many restaurants that Peterborough has to offer."
There’ll be plenty of Peterborough talent to keep you entertained with music from opera singer Gabriella Pineda-Rodriguez, young band Upon This Rock, singer Tommy Philpot and also the Cathedral Choir. Stars from the city’s pantomimes Dick Whittington and Peter Pan will be causing some chaos and joining the fun.
Peterborough gymnast Jake Jarman will help push the plunger to light up the city centre and the huge real Christmas tree at 7pm, with the free entertainment continuing until 7.30pm.
It’s being brought to us by Peterborough City Council with support from headline sponsor Peterborough Positive as well as Princebuild, O&H Hampton and Nexus Fostering.
BID Business Improvement manager Pep Cipriano said – "Peterborough Positive is proud to be headline sponsor of the Christmas lights switch-on event and we’re looking forward to seeing Cathedral Square and the city centre illuminated with festive decorations."
Once the city is illuminated the festive build up continues with the arrival of a giant, covered 20x20m ice rink surrounded by fabulous festive stalls.
The 'real ice' rink will be delivered, courtesy of Dash Events Ltd, on November 25 and can host up to 120 skaters at any one time.
Cllr Steve Allen added: “The ice rink and market stalls will provide a fantastic new experience for shoppers in the city centre, who can take a break from picking up gifts to hit the ice!
“With our lights switch-on and a spectacular tree, we’re hoping that those purchasing presents will enjoy a 2022 to remember in the heart of Peterborough.”
The rink will be in Cathedral Square until Wednesday January 4, 2023 festooned with twinkling lights and playing seasonal songs. There will also be 80s and 90s themed evening sessions with music.
To book tickets visit www.peterborough-ice.com