Excited children, happy parents, brass bands, choirs and panto stars came together to officially launch York’s Christmas on Thursday (November 17).
A large crowd gathered in St Helen’s Square in front of the large tree donated by St Leonard’s Hospice as part of its ‘Light up a Life’ campaign.
The Shepherd Group’s brass band serenaded everyone with traditional carols.
Award-winning BBC Radio York breakfast show presenter Georgey Spanswick was the host. She brought onto the stage in front of the tree the Lord Mayor Cllr Dave Taylor, Lady Mayoress Susan Ridley, and York Theatre Royal panto stars Hermione Lynch and AJ Powell.
After a brief chat, the countdown began. The switch was thrown and the square was light up with Christmas lights.
Then it was time for a trip round St Nicholas Fair, which also sees the return of Thor’s Tipi where friends and family can sit on cosy furs around a roaring fire, Scandinavian style.
