The festive season is officially upon us, and last night residents from Aylesbury and surrounding areas were treated to the annual switch-on of the Christmas lights. More than 9,000 local people came along to enjoy a fabulous evening of lights, music and superb entertainment – culminating in a spectacular firework display.
The event included stage entertainment hosted by Mix 96, which took place in Aylesbury’s historic Market Square, along with a mouth-watering street food court and a funfair in Kingsbury.
The stage entertainers who helped put Aylesbury in a festive mood included: local bands who’ve featured on Mix Discovers, a fabulous school choir, superb house band The Eclectix, and some talented entertainers from the Bucks Got Talent competition.
In addition, stars of this year’s Aylesbury Waterside Pantomime, Peter Pan, took to the stage to warm up the masses. Favourite funny man Andy Collins, who is playing Smee, was joined by Nick Jr’s Holly Atterton, who’s starring as Tinker Bell in this year’s festive production.
The Christmas lights were switched on at 7pm, and this was immediately followed by a dazzling fireworks display which lit up the sky above the town centre in an array of colours.
Comments from visitors to the event included:
“This is our first time and we’re really excited to see the firework display!” – two students from Leighton Buzzard.
“This is our third year coming to the Christmas Lights Switch On. It’s a nice way to start the festive season and a great evening out for the kids. They love it and it gets them excited for Christmas!” – a family from Aylesbury.
Aylesbury Town Centre & Regeneration Manager Diana Fawcett said:
“It’s always great to see the town turn out in force to help celebrate the lights switch on and mark the official start to Christmas. I’d like to say a big thank you to all the residents who attended, our media partner Mix 96, and all local traders who helped to make this year’s event a tremendous success.”
More festive fun is lined up for the town with the ever popular Santa Parade on Sunday 25 November and a large free entry gift fair on Sunday 2 December. Find out more here.