Leeds gets set for festive sing-a-long switch-on

Kid’s TV favourites and a spectacular rock choir will lead the people of Leeds in a festive sing-a-long at this year’s Christmas lights switch-on.

Cbeebies presenters Alex Winters and Cat Sandion will entertain an expected crowd of 15,000 with a fun version of The 12 Days of Christmas at the official event on November 12.

They will be joined on stage by Lee Brennan from boyband 911, who will be starring in the title role in this year’s production of Aladdin at Carriageworks Theatre.

And a 40-strong ensemble from the Leeds Rock Choir will also be performing a selection of well-known hit songs together with a Christmas medley including original vocal arrangements.

Rock Choir is the original and most popular amateur contemporary choir in the UK with more than 20,000 members and rehearsals in more than 300 towns nationwide.

There will also be a live performance from the cast of Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, who are appearing at West Yorkshire Playhouse, and Breeze has Talent 2015 winners The Richards, a singing and rapping guitar duo who wowed the judges with their reinvention of chart-topper Uptown Funk.

Hosting the evening’s entertainment will be Dixie and Emma from Heart Breakfast.

Other stars yet to be announced will also be joining the show, which will start at Victoria Gardens on The Headrow from around 6.45pm.

Other attractions on the night will include fun fair rides along Cookridge Street, with entertainment culminating in the big switch-on of one of the UK's largest displays of city centre festive illuminations and spectacular fireworks lighting up the city's skyline.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The Christmas lights switch-on is always a great occasion when the countdown to Christmas really begins.

“It’s always amazing to see so many people come together in the city centre to enjoy themselves and get into the festive spirit.”

As part of the lights switch-on, the following road closures will also be in place on the night along with other traffic management measures.

-Headrow (Oxford Place to Albion Street): 6pm to 8.45pm

-Cookridge Street (Headrow to St Annes Street): from 1pm

-Calverley Street (Headrow to Gt George Street): 8pm to 8.30pm

The Leeds Light switch-on marks the official start of the city’s Magical Leeds campaign which will feature a number of special events and activities including the annual Christkindelmarkt on Millennium Square.

To find out more about Magical Leeds, please see www.whatson.leeds.gov.uk

ENDS

Fore media enquiries, please contact:

Stuart Robinson

Communications Officer

Leeds City Council

Tel: 0113 224 3937

Email: stuart.robinson@leeds.gov.uk

www.leeds.gov.uk