York’s first Christmas lights switch-on takes place this week

The countdown to Christmas has well and truly begun.

The first festive lights switch-on in York takes place later this week.

The Coppergate Centre illuminations will go live this Friday (November 10) – marking its first evening of late night Christmas shopping with live entertainment, competitions and giveaways.

Everything kicks off at 5.30pm with songs from the choir of Appleton Roebuck Primary School.

BBC Radio York’s Anna Wallace and Adam Tomlinson will be joined on stage by some of the cast of the Rowntree Players’ Aladdin and street entertainer York’s Icicle King.

Free parking

The lights switch on is set for around 6.25pm.

Then York’s own diva, Velma Celli – the drag persona of York-born West End performer, Ian Stroughair, will perform some seasonal numbers to get all of the evening shoppers into the Christmas spirit.

“This should be a great evening of family fun to get York’s Christmas season off to a great start,” said centre manager, Pippa Unwin.

“We’re delighted that Adam and Anna will be back with us for the second year, and we’ve got some great entertainment lined up with the captivating Icicle King and powerhouse vocals of Velma Celli.”

Every Thursday and Friday evening from 10 November until Christmas, shoppers will be able to park free of charge in the Piccadilly Car Park from 6pm to 9pm, organised by York BID.

Many of the stores in Coppergate will remain open for evening shopping every Thursday, including Fenwick, Topshop and Primark, with a special week-long late night opening from December 18-23.